Sunday, April 13, 2014

Live Review :: Lorelle Meets The Obsolete :: Gullivers, Manchester - Apr 8 2014




Live Review

Lorelle Meets The Obsolete

Gullivers, Manchester

April 8  2014

Words/Photos: Leanne Crowley


The home of Manchester's ever-rising underground music scene, the Northern Quarter, plays host to tonight's proceedings with Lorelle Meets The Obsolete arriving on the UK leg of their current tour.

Local loud punk rockers Mistoa Poltsa open proceedings whilst filming a new video before Bristolian noise masters Spectres take to the stage. They offer not just loudness, but it could be said pure noise genius with contrasting musical elements. As they open with ‘Where Flies Sleep', their dominant loud and abrasive presence giving a feel of A Place to Bury Strangers, particularly in ‘This Purgatory' where prominent guitar and bass riffs from Adrian Dutt and Darren Frost work in unison. Although only a four-piece, the dark noise they create is enough to think there may be many more of them, perhaps lurking somewhere hidden behind s monitor, though the vocal of Joe Hatt are striking enough to carry the band on its own. As they conclude with former single release ‘Threshing Machine', the audience are left in no doubt - ringing ears a good indication -  that there is more to Spectres than a ghostlike presence.


When headliners Lorelle Meets The Obsolete take to the stage, first thing noticeable is they present as a four-piece offering for their live performances, as opposed to their usual two. ‘Medicine to cure Medicine Sickness' opens with a strong drum start accompanying a melodic guitar riff. The swirly female vocals from Lorena and the deep bass line reverbing adding a nice contrast to the track.

The lengthy and raw ‘The In-Between' has the drums dominating, strong guitar presence from Alberto as the riff swirls and pulses, the vocals are less prominent but no less enchanting in their overall effect, as its marching rhythm builds in intensity until coming to an abrupt end.

Effected guitars start latest single ‘Sealed Scene' before the drums kick hard and continue to remain strong throughout, acting as the driving force of the song. One of the undoubted focal points of LMTO is Lorena's intoxicating, melodic and often bliss-inducing vocal.  With a room held entranced they proceed into ‘Third Wave'; drums and guitars dominating, sweeping in and out, cutting a fine slice of psych magic as they do.


‘What's Holding You?' has the strongest vocal offering so far, with a slightly darker edge with minor tones shining through in places. Before reaching the penultimate number of the set, the band, obviously pleased with the reception they have been afforded on this tour, offer heartfelt thanks to the appreciative crowd. Bringing the night to an end with ‘Music For Dozens' and ‘Taken', Lorelle Meets The Obsolete leave to applause and safe in the knowledge they won over yet another crowd with their Mexican styled in-your-face psych/Kraut/shoegaze performance.



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