Infernia promised a smoking banquet of live music and visual artistry, Getintothis’ Michael Fowler reflects on a night which blows hot and cold.
Transforming events into something off the chain is what Liverpool promoters, everisland do. They do it well. Two months ago they turned the Williamson Tunnels into a surreal sea life centre, with oceanic monsters and jelly fish at every turn; Aquaria was as spooky as it was cool.
Tonight at Infernia they came into some trouble with venue changes (the Baltic Triangle‘s Kitchen Street venue, the original setting), but everisland, as standard, delivered another night of otherworldly delights in The Kazimier.
Tear Talk performing live at The Kazimier
Tear Talk started the night quietly. A sunny day kept many Infernia goers away for the beginning, and perhaps it was the subdued atmosphere but Tear Talk‘s slow guitar tunes felt unmoving and unstirring, like The xx without the promise of any late night sex. With a bigger crowd, and maybe a drop more enthusiasm, the Tear Talk boys still have the beginnings of something stirring.
Kalandra performing live at The Kazimier
The venue started to fill and Kalandra roused the crowd, their Celtic, tantric chanting and hard guitar sound evoked something with those in attendance flooding to the pit. However, we felt we were the only person missing out; their guitars feel dated and dull while the constant vocal wails are unremitting and irritating. To their credit, their mini army of fans provide a feel-good vibe as the evening began to awaken from a slumberous beginning.
With the Infernia creatures flouting about the venue with incense and seductive moves it brought back memories of Aquaria in the Tunnels, and while tonight lacked the intensity of the earlier event, the Kazimier offering was perhaps more intimate, as those around imitated the element they were playing with: fire.
The Three Moons Creative girls portraying the creatures, growling and thrashing at the attendees like flames, consumed in their fiery characters. One burning goddess lay like a Cleopatra, watching over all proceedings of the night. Over a downbeat commisioned track by GIT Award One To Watch winner, Lapsley, the dancers doubled their image through a screen and made a freaky flame show before calling the Infernia goddess from her rest. The goddess declared fire from the ashes and the night truly began.
Veyu performing live at The Kazimier
Veyu played in front of some volcanic visuals, and charged the crowd with a large and energetic set. The band have shown much potential and their songbooks sees melodies rise and build aligned to some sharp guitar trickery.
Shoegaze, surf guitar boys, By the Sea, own the evening with an awesome set. Their Stone Roses-style hooks, entrance the crowd and set them alight. After being away for a while the band have come back tighter and brimming with a newly-found confidence.
By The Sea performing live at The Kazimier
Those who went to the first everisland chronicle will know it felt unfathomably deep and while the inferno at the Kaz wasn’t the wildfire we expected it was enough of a spark to stir up the next two events in 2014’s calendar. We’ll keep our ear to the earth for Subterranea and brace ourselves for the winds of Cyclonia, we’re sure they’ve got something pretty special in store.
Pictures by Getintothis‘ Tomas Adam
Further reading on Getintothis:
Africa Oyé Festival 2014: Full line up and stage times revealed
Forest Swords wins GIT Award 2014 as Africa Oyé team crowned Inspiration Award winners
Southern, VEYU, Glossom, Magic Arm, Harlequin Dynamite Marching Band, Broken Men: Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool
Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool – picture gallery
GIT Award 2014: The Kazimier, Liverpool featuring Lapsley, Africa Oyé, Bill Ryder-Jones, Mad Brains, Forest Swords & more
Real Estate head for Liverpool this Autumn.
SOHN readies UK tour including Kazimier date in September.
Getintothis on new electronic Mersey duo Adronite‘s debut EP.
By The Sea return with I See A Crystal Sky ahead of summer second album release.
