Live Review :: SPINN :: Arts Club, Liverpool - Apr 6 2018

Credit: Hannah Johns

Live 

SPINN

Arts Club, Liverpool 

April 6 2018

Words: Jane Davies

Pictures: Hannah Johns, Jane Davies

What a difference a year makes. In twelve short months, SPINN have graduated from an early doors slot at a local festival, to headlining and selling out the Arts Club in Liverpool. Along the way, their jangly pop rhythms having won favour on releases such as 'She Takes Her Time', 'Who You Are' and 'After Dark'.

Credit: Hannah Johns

And if there was a text book guide on what being the perfect frontman entails, then SPINN's Johnny Quinn must have been studying its rules damned hard. Not that it appears so; from the minute the self-confessed connoisseurs of jangly dreampop stride on stage to the strains of Robbie Williams' ‘Rock DJ’, both JQ (bedecked in Breton tee - a short-sleeved variant also worn by drummer Louis - and skinny jeans) and his fellow comrades-in-instruments - the aforementioned Louis O'Reilly, Andy Power on lead guitar, and Sean McLachlan on bass - demonstrate the poise and professionalism of much longer established bands on the circuit.

Credit: Hannah Johns

This hometown gig doubled up as their self-titled debut EP launch party, released the same day, and what a party they started. ‘She Takes Her Time’ may be the title of the song which opened up a sparkling set that earned raucous applause and cheers at every turn, but these four Mersey lads were not hanging around at all. SPINN had all the ingredients in the mix for a perfect gig: countless sing along opportunities, the freedom to dance or get more energetic if you wanted, and a great friendly, happy vibe.

Credit: Jane Davies

Right from the start, vocalist Johnny had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand, lapping up every note that came from his lips, which included a running commentary between songs, and the constant grasping of the crowds’ outstretched hands. The sparkling, hooky 'Home' has been described by Quinn as their "most shallow track...it’s just meant to be something that’s good for the ears," and that it certainly was for this hometown crowd.

Credit: Hannah Johns

Tonight was also the second live airing (after their London show the previous week) for new song ‘Boredom’ which created anything but, with a sea of bobbing heads and waving arms carried through its shiny guitar ambience. First single 'Green Eyes', exuding Smiths-esque qualities, was accompanied by Johnny's interpretation of Morrissey style dancing - perhaps no surprise given that the Smiths are one of the band’s main influences.

Credit: Jane Davies

As the duelling guitars of the "little pop tune" 'After Dark' give way to latest single, the upbeat and breezy 'Who You Are' - "a love letter to all the posers of the world" - there comes arguably the standout song of the set (if you could narrow it down, which was hard), ‘Notice Me’. One of their earliest singles, it is one that is obviously a fan favourite, bringing the room out in full voice as they sang along to it's lines: "And you keep me grounded / But you make me feel so high / And you bring me down to earth / but I don't know how or why..."

Credit: Hannah Johns

Coming towards the end of the set, a bottle of bubbly appears on stage from which the frontman proceeds to take lengthy swigs before offering it to his proud mum on the front row. A lovely gesture, and nice to also see a parent up there at the front enjoying the music and getting into the spirit instead of hiding at the back of the venue at the bar area. Well done, mum Quinn.

Credit: Hannah Johns

After both singing and swigging and swaying for a while, as the band's final offering of the evening, ‘November’, got underway, Johnny debates whether he should head to the bar for another drink. This was a signal that he was about to go walk about or more precisely surf about. Gently he was launched into the crowd and calmly passed forward over a sea of willing helpers.

Credit: Hannah Johns

There were no dramas or overzealous security as he enjoyed his little trip. As the band played on, undeterred, and as Louis' starring lengthy drum solo moment drew to an end, so too did the evening’s proceedings. Bringing to a close what was a gig to be fêted as possibly their finest performance so far.

Credit: Hannah Johns