Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt
Judas
It was something of a homecoming for the singer of this band, with none other than Abbey Clancy's brother leading the line. Having spent a lot of time in London, forming the band before touring relentlessly, it was interesting to see how the sound would play out.
Clad in all black, there were nuances of later headliners, Catfish & the Bottlemen. However on their grounds and even given that it was an early set, Judas pulled quite the crowd. Which was ultimately, actually fair enough. Between the three minute barrages of riffs and long hair, singer John Clancy would reassure the crowd of their name. A set highlight came in the way of one of their latest tracks, 'Sister', which, live, has a great way of mastering the subtle moments as well as, bringing the drive for the choruses. It would appear that the band's relentless touring schedule has propped them up to be a fantastic live band.
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Youth Hostel
Local lads Youth Hostel, rather astonishingly made this their first gig. Their 80s infused sound with trumpets in tow created a welcoming sound to a blistering sun drenched crowd, and what acrowd it was. They're already seething with mass popularity in their hometown, but what will have paid off no doubt is the raw energy and excitement that the band exuded.
At times however, the singer maybe got a tad too into it. Saying cliché phrases like, "What's going on the firm?" or, "Well in, nice one for giving it bifters" was shunned by by-standers, but ultimately found quite endearing. The guy was just simply excited to be doing his thing, which was refreshing and re-energising. For where the heat was concerned, the weekend revellers may have already felt a bit down and out. Yet, it was this kind of set that was needed to kick everyone into the festival spirits, and that it did.
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The Bulletproof Bomb
Coming from Sutton in London, the loveable rogues that are The Bulletproof Bomb took to the amazing Tall Ship stage. Where pirates were serving rum based cocktails and the ship was sitting dormant on the water, it was their pseudo-punk that put a bob in the float of the ship. The band has quite literally just got off the van before getting on the ship, but set closer, 'Five Green Bottles', would have made you think otherwise. Annoyingly, a coach had drove right past the ship during the song, but as the crowd jeered the incoming coach the band took part in holding two fingers up to it. Whilst that would have knocked the confidence of some bands, The Bulletproof Bomb were as brilliant as always, and surprisingly hugely popular with the Scouse contingent given the fact that they have only been to the town just under a handful of times.
Katie Mac
It was over on the Mersey Rail Sound Station where Katie Mac took to the gazebo - showcasing a real bread and butter acoustic performance from the troubadour.
What was astonishing about her live presence, was that she simply was unfazed by the loud sounds of the stage right opposite, and instead of having to come in closer to hear her better, she simply blasted her vocals. It brought the already interested bystanders in without them moving a muscle. A complete, and captivating set, and one that proves her worth, not only as a musician, but as a performer. If it's not her fantastic guitar playing that will have you drawn in, it is almost certainly, without a doubt, her fantastic vocal range.
Catfish & The Bottlemen
Closing the opening night was none other than Catfish & The Bottlemen. Obviously, with them headlining you would expect a crowd. But the audience that fled to the main stage was of epic proportions. If you take a look over the band's history, it's an enduring love affair with Liverpool.
Local reviewers didn't make much of them earlier, but there is a slight bit of irony, considering they're now headlining the festival. That aside, the band were as energetic as usual, and then some. It would appear that the release of their second album, The Ride', being the day before put them in good steed. But what was interesting about this set in particular, was the fact that the band didn't play that much of their latest material. Smashing out '7', 'Soundcheck', and 'Twice', it was a hit-laden set - proving their worth as future festival headliners beyond Liverpool. If it wasn't what was going onstage that made it so special, it was the all-out frenzy that was going on in the audience that did.
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Oh, The Guilt
Oh, The Guilt brought their gothic nuances and pensive sound to the Tall Ship rather oddly. Whilst the ship itself is somewhat of a novelty spectacle, the sound of Oh, The Guilt's sound was one that is nothing short of serious.
Their sound has elements of the simplicity of that featured in The xx, but with a louder buzz to it. Only a three-piece without a bass player, their set was marred somewhat by the gusts of wind that would take it by force occasionally, but one thing was always clear. They are a very intense and occasionally hypnotic live band, if you may not be aware of them now, but we're in no doubt that they will come to your attention soon enough.
The Night Café
With this band's live set, it's hard to decipher what's actually best about them. Could it be their musical talent given their very modest age, or could it be their onstage presence? Who knows.
The Night Café are very admirable live and that is all that matters. They all looked about 17, but played their instruments like they were 30. Sounds odd given that their sound isn't one that involved heavy guitar solos, but credit where it's due, they can write very good summer-inducing pop. Another aspect of their live game which is arguably the most memorable are the shy, and ultimately modest, remarks from their frontman. In his Scouse tinge he mentioned before the set closer, "This is a new song, and it isn't half shit." As the audience laughed he reassured us, "No seriously it is". But it wasn't it was half-good, probably brilliant. The Night Café are the kind of band that act how the look on stage. They're young and just want to have a laugh, and luckily for their crowd, it rubbed off on us.
Bill Ryder-Jones
It was heart-warming to see a local favourite return to his homeland and play on a stage facing the place where he's from, Birkenhead. As he put it himself just before playing fan favourite, 'Two To Birkenhead', "This one is for that lovely bit of land over there" whilst pointing across the Mersey. It felt like a triumphant return for Ryder-Jones, and his effortlessly cool demeanour was one that people were glad to see again. Whilst his sound isn't one that you can lose yourself in, watching a local lad play the festival of his hometown with the Liver birds perched on their respective buildings in the background made the set one that was built on sentimentality as much as it was genuine interest from the festival goers.
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Pink Kink
Everything got a bit weird on The Cavern Stage around mid-afternoon on the Sunday. Pink Kink took to the stage covered in glitter and neon paint. Whilst the band had everyone taken aback and caught off guard, their sound was just as surprising. Live, the band are raucous, and frenetic onstage. They simply aren't a live band for the fainthearted, if you get it, you love it. If you don't, you just want to leave. But the fact is, Pink Kink are a startling addition to the Riot Grrrl genre, and better yet, a great live band to add to any gig goer's collection. Noticeably, this band chose not to delve too much into, onstage "banter" but instead let the music do the talking for them. And they almost certainly made a point.
Feral Love
From the weird and wonderful act of Pink Kink, came Feral Love on next. It was a huge difference in artist, but they were just as welcome. Feral Love brought their plush electro-pop to the stage whilst the sun beckoned over the stage. An interesting juxtaposition took place between the gradation of gothic memorabilia and the uplifting weather. This difference shows that Feral Love are a band for all occasions, and bloody brilliant live. Whilst a shy stage persona can leave much to the imagination, it fitted in with the band's general aesthetic and made the set all the more intense.
She Drew The Gun
Having released a well-received album and bagged a set at Glastonbury, She Drew The Gun have got a lot of excitement around them currently. It would appear that the Scouse contingent at the festival felt a bit of civic pride as four of their own returned to play the Tall Ship Stage. Yet, the choice of stage felt as though it let the band down. They played exceedingly well, but the distance the sound had to travel was way too far. But that all went out of the window when the band played, 'Poem', and like a drunken and overly sunburnt choir, the crowd sang-a-long in complete unison. The stage may not have been an ideal venue, but the complete quality of She Drew The Gun live made none of that matter.
The Big Moon
The fun-loving criminals in The Big Moon put their walkers crisps down and took to The North Stage playing a hit-filled set from start to finish. Brash with smiles and fantastic guitar-playing skills, The Big Moon kicked off the Sunday evening in style. They aren't the biggest band around, but they always seem so complete on stage. Whether it be the relationships that have with one another off stage, or just professionally, when you watch this band it doesn't feel like a band, it feels like a family. Their collective attitude towards their live performance unifies and exacerbates everything about The Big Moon. Also, will they ever stop thanking fans for coming out to see them? Probably not. But modesty is cool, so we'll let them off.
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Circa Waves
If it wasn't for Sound City, Circa Waves may never have existed - so thank God it does. Their set was going great, until the, er, electricity went off mid-song. Having waited half an hour, when the band came back on, the buzz they had created and instilled in the crowd had gone, making for a flat last two songs.
It didn't show any frailty in the band, however, it's just what you'd expect to happen having stopped the band in their track mid-flow. Regardless, the lads done well, and were received incredibly well by their hometown crowd. Arm in arm, the Liverpool love was spread well into the evening.
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The Coral
Closing the festival were local heroes The Coral. Bringing their Tame Impala-esque new album to their hometown in one hell of a spectacle. Having started off by being quintessentially Mersey Beat, the band have transformed into this pulverising hypnotic force. The Coral played a set that was full of class and style. Their kaleidoscope backdrop was a feast for the eyes, whilst their hits, 'Jacqueline', 'In The Morning', and 'Dreaming Of You', were a feast for the ears. A sense of sentimentality lacquered this closing set of the festival.
Again, the band were hitting full-swing when the electric went off. Luckily, given their experience, the band were clearly aware that an older hit would have to do the trick in getting the crowd back onside. They were annoyed to be taken off briefly, but nowhere near as thankful as the crowd when they come back on. Another hit-laden headline set that was warmly welcomed by their fellow people.
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