As the Sound City conference finished in the Hilton Hotel many delegates found themselves making the short journey across to Zeligs for the Access to Music/Atom Live, Oui Love and Ditto music showcase which descended on Liverpool for the festival. Saira Kewley reports on the opening night of Liverpool Sound City
Oui Love brought along the French contingent Anoraak and Team Ghost. Anoraak, made up of Frederic, Guillaume and Baudouim formed the band two years ago playing keyboard, drums and bass. They are old friends and find this helps with building their music. They take their influences from 70’s, 80’s and the 90’s and as a result their music is a mixture of all three eras. Anoraak’s music is best described as being a release for the boys and reminds you of being on a sunset beach, sipping cocktails and when they perform it’s a chance for the boys to escape and lose themselves in their music.
Team Ghost (Frederiks, Nickola, Brenoit and Pierre) find their influences in the same eras and genres. The boys have a different image from Anoraak who have a classic style, straight pants and blazers, where as Team Ghost are very grungy and more into the rock side of their music. Again their music is also very rock orientated, they like the style and works of Oasis, New Order and Joy Division. These guys have a great sense of humour, we had lots of fun doing their interview. They have an album release in January so look out for this.
Between these (and representing the UK) were Jimi’s Parade. The band find their influences from Indie Rock and alternative music. They are made up of: Liam Burns (singer and songwriter), Ryan (bass), Harry (drums) with his striking blond hair you will know him when you see him and Christian (vocals, guitar). The guys have been together for a year and like the French acts they share the same influences, Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen. Liam said the music his Dad listens to also has a big influence over what he writes. He really enjoys his role and even has some up surprises up his sleeve that you would not expect.
DJ Target’s Takeover at Bumper was great. Top performances of the night were KOF and Wretch 32. For most of the night the crowd were enjoying themselves but when Wretch took to the stage everything went a bit wild. There could have been better crowd control, luckily for me (shorty), I was at the front of the crowd and even got a little dance with Wretch as he was performing. There were lots of people there from outside of Liverpool but not many representing for the city, would have been nice to see more of you down there. Target’s was back again on Saturday with his Female Takeover to round off the festival.
The Mono Lp’s, played a set for the festival at the Leaf Café, Bold Street, a band who normally have no problems playing to a sell out crowd. Their set, as always, was amazing and enjoyed by all who were there. Ste was rocking out really getting into the music and made you feel like you wanted to run up to the stage and dance with him, while Vicky, as ever added that je n‘est sais quoi, with her rhythmical sensations on her Cello, people were totally blown away.
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