The Kazimier. Potentially one of Liverpool’s best music venues, so where else to house the fantastic Slow Club, right? Right. Set out like a theatre, with wooden beams and balconies, hundreds of cans of Red Stripe flying around, a backstage that was upstairs and a huge glittered gold drum kit, the scene was set, and the atmosphere was positively buzzing.
Support came in the form of 60s inspired psychedelic folk trio Stealing Sheep, which really was an experience in itself. With no lead singer, we’re treated to the alluring vocals of all three - Becky, Emily and Lucy and their perfect, graceful harmonies. Immaculately enchanting and flawless, 'Noah’s Days' and 'I Am The Rain' would have to be the highlights of their set, and as much as everyone loved Stealing Sheep, the crowd yearned for more.
The inevitable and excitedly anticipated performance from the boy girl duo was approaching and it felt like time has purposely, cruelly slowed down. However, when that time finally did come, Rebecca Taylor, Charles Watson and touring band leapt on stage right into 'Where I’m Waking', with an absolute eruption of energy. Though the majority of their set was off new album 'Paradise', the calmer, acoustic 'Christmas TV' still made it into the set, becoming part of the up/down fast/slow pattern of the set.
Newer highlights included 'Gold Mountain' and 'The Dog', in which the energy came bounding back. Standout tracks from the debut 'Yeah So' would have to be 'Giving Up On Love' and 'Our Brilliant Friends', before which Taylor announces "We’ve got another oldie for you, just so you don’t get mad or angry about us playing too much new stuff....". ‘Mad’ and ‘angry’ couldn’t be farther from what the crowd were like - energized and enthusiastic like Slow Club - fans and band feeding off of each other’s energy.
The set was drawing to an end, but as ever, it was time for the encore. The band came back and performed 'Hackney Marsh' and Arcade Fire-like 'Two Cousins' ending on the biggest high possible. An incredible venue, incredible support band and incredible set: a remarkable night. Red Stripe all round, yeah?
FREE DOWNLOAD: Slow Club - Giving Up On Love by Anorak London
FREE DOWNLOAD: Stealing Sheep - Noah's Days by Joe Wills [Producer]
Find out more on Slow Club at Slowclubband.com and more on Stealing Sheep at Stealingsheep.co.uk.
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