Friday 31/08/07 Silversun Pickups, Sonic Flyer, We See Foxes @ The Barfly, Liverpool

Upstairs in Liverpool’s Barfly, a mixed crowd of young and old had descended upon the sorely missed venue in anticipation of a gig that would surely be a highlight of the year. Silversun Pickups had garnered a fanbase in desperate need of a band that could get them moving and create tunes that have a lasting effect, seeping into your consciousness like some sonic worm - and tonight they were here to play their hearts out…

First up were the local We See Foxes. Assaulting the crowd with rehearsed and overly contrived Gallagher-esque poses, their frontman attempted to incite some movement from the cringing crowd. Most likely due to inebriation or intoxication of some form, We See Foxes’ singer seemed to enjoy his performance far more than anyone in the room whilst his more than capable band attempted to salvage something from the gig by playing their hearts out punching out huge rock riffs akin to the likes of The Music and Zep. Any cheers from the crowd were politely forced or solely aimed at their immense guitarist, not at their egotistical frontman who seemed more interested in fixing his hair onstage and pulling out profile shots for an imaginary photographer. Making his show a little more about the music than the image would help this obviously talented band go far.

Next up were the hotly tipped Sonic Flyer who captured hearts and blew the cobwebs off of the expectant crowd with huge soundscapes and a sound that will surely see them snapped up very soon. The Siberian brother and sister combo’s songwriting was a breath of fresh air, as accompanied by their bass player and guitarist, Sonic Flyer should by rights be headlining their own shows as the sound emanating from the stage was absolutely stunning. Think of a dazed Frente! With a dash of Kwoon and a pinch of Sigur Ros and you’re halfway there. Shoegaze guitar lines with punchy choruses and an ethereal songstress with a penchant for late 90’s indie became a winning combination as Sonic Flyer soared, giving the gig the pick up it needed before our Los Angeles heroes took the stage. Brilliant is an understatement.

Taking the stage amidst triumphant cheers Silversun Pickups broke into ‘Well Thought Out Twinkles’ and hit the ground running from then on. Powering through almost every track from their debut LP Carnavas, the band were in flying form and the punters were singing along with unbridled enthusiasm as a reserved mosh pit began to form whilst Aubert’s guitar wailed. Amazed at the turnout of tonight’s gig, Brian Aubert was more than happy to converse with the crowd and congratulate them on being “So Awesome!...” whilst chopping and changing the setlist in response to the crowds shouts. With highlights of the night appearing in the form of ‘Little Lover’s So Polite’ that encouraged a raucous sing-a-long, the atmospheric ‘Rusted Wheel’ and ‘Dream At Tempo 119’ that saw the band really in their element rocking out.  

Constantly thanking the punters for showing their support and relishing in the fact they were finally in Liverpool, Silversun Pickups played as if their lives depended on it – their frontman climbing the monitors, getting involved with the crowd and running around as if he were an excited 10 year old. As all good things must come to an end, ‘Lazy Eye’ was to be the bands closing song, played amidst huge cheers and another sing-a-long that re-affirmed there was a big love for the relatively underground band who’s popularity is growing in leaps and bounds.