Issue 58 / August 2015

F.O.E.S
Bad Sign – Pavilions – Black Diamond
– Carbon – Enamel Animal
Blade Factory
On entering Blade Factory, one can’t help
but notice the shrine of F.O.E.S-themed
merchandise arranged just so on a table
nearby. Among this veritable temple of goodies
is the reason Bido Lito! are here tonight: Fall
Of Every Sparrow’s (to elongate the acronym)
new EP Antecedence. Sleek copies of the record
await those whose appetites for the headliners
aren’t satiated by tonight’s gig alone.
For starters, we’re treated to a dose of
ENAMEL ANIMAL. Although their name may
sound like a CBBC character that never left the
drawing board, they’re actually an alternative
rock band with an exciting sharpness about
them. Their self-contained rockers have
edges you can really cut your teeth on, each
song lingering just long enough to leave you
wanting more. A bold opening act who are well
worth checking out.
In a six-course billing, it’s up to CARBON
to take the second slot. The band grow more
confident as the set progresses, and seal their
impressive performance with a hard, dark finish
in the form of Bonfire: a real cruncher of a tune
made distinct by the band’s rock-yodel hollering.
Their intriguing guitars and door-blasting drums
appear to be at odds with the chic, flat-pack
surroundings of Blade Factory, but then again
the entire line-up seems in juxtaposition to
the venue. Truth be told, it imbrues an exciting
tension into the entire evening.
BLACK DIAMOND come next. Having
supported the likes of Motion City Soundtrack,
this youthful foursome look assured in their
own abilities and rightly so. They’re a band
whose acidic psychedelic stylings sound like
they were cooked up in the desert under the
heady auspices of Josh Homme. They’ve also
got a real asset in the vocals of Daniel Byrne,
who threatens to add a few storeys to the
building thanks to his remarkable range.
Again, it’s the vocals that stand out with
next act, PAVILIONS. Clearly channelling
transatlantic influences, singer Tezz Roberts
leads from the front with energy and feeling.
Hard to categorise, this Wirral-based group are
very much carving out their own sound. All we
know is we like what we hear.
Enter the penultimate act, three-piece outfit,
BAD SIGN. From note one, there’s absolutely
no let-up or dip in energy from this trio. It’s
a rambunctious performance, with guitarist
Jonathan Harris and bassist Joe Appleford
taking advantage of their wireless capabilities
by marauding among the crowd, thus bringing
a new meaning to the phrase ‘taking the bass
for a walk’. Strutting about like bulls in a ring,
Bad Sign scatter the crowd in front of them. A
dangerous set in all the right ways.
When asked about Antecedence, the group’s
second EP, F.O.E.S frontman Chris Mackrill
has talked about the need to say something
specific through their music, to articulate real
emotion. The focus of their new output is
centred on the raw, not-so-passive aggression
that can pervade relationships. Three of the five
new tracks bear reference to monarchy in their
titles; all is unfair in love and war, and for F.O.E.S
there’s not much difference between the two.
The music complements Mackrill’s bitter lyrics
perfectly, particularly in the outright attacks of
Rival Thrones and Crown Antler.
It’s apt then that the band are on such
belligerent form tonight and a delight to see
their striving for meaning translate so well in
a live setting. Renditions of the new material
are no less thrilling in the flesh than they are
on the album. In contrast to the full-throttle
power tracks already mentioned, F.O.E.S are
also able to display their versatility in haunting
melodies such as No Sleepers Verse, which
rattles about the brain for days at a time. In
this band, Liverpool has an act who know when
to go hard and when to go soft, who also look
the real deal topping a bill. It’s no wonder
the likes of Kerrang! are sniffing around. With
this successful EP launch, this up-and-coming
quartet are getting their just desserts.
Jamie Carragher / @CarragherJamie
AFRICA OYÉ
Sefton Park
For many, this festival sets the precedent for
the whole summer: a wet AFRICA OYÉ and we
are in for a disappointing few months; a bright
sunny festival in South Liverpool’s grassy
heartland and the summer will be a triumph.
Either way though the vibe is always up there
with the quality of the African-Caribbean food
on offer from the skilful chefs who surround
Sefton Park’s now familiar festival arena.
This year’s event gets off to a mixed start on
the Saturday, with acts doing their best to keep
spirits up as the wet stuff comes down. By the
end of the day, however, the sky is bright blue
and grass is drying out, and headliner OMAR
puts a smile on festival-goers’ faces with a
solid set of feel-good soul.
Now in its third decade, Africa Oyé has
prospered by combining community, local
and internationally acclaimed acts and by
showcasing the huge variety of musical styles
that have developed via the African diaspora.
Sunday’s line-up is no exception, featuring
community drummers BEATLIFE, legendary DJ
ANDY KERSHAW, and veteran Jamaican toaster
FRANKIE PAUL.
The Oyé Introduces initiative (launched
this year to promote North West talent) kicks