Day 1 at Chapters of Us, Saturday 28 May 2021
It seems a madman called Ivan Thunders had an idea to put on a small festival as soon as gigs were allowed again, he created a mini Baltic-Fest stretching across three days and three venues in that Jamaica Street area. He roped in some assistance from the likes of us at Last Stop Sounds and delivered an excellent and varied event.
Before getting to the music, DJs and bands we’ve got to mention the Psychedelic Art Exhibition that accompanied the Friday. A number of local artists displayed their ware (such as Marty Arts and Lo Tierney as well as a photo exhibition covering the Liverpool Psychedelic Society’s history showing the many bands such as Frankie Teardrop is Dead, Black Doldrums and LA band The She’s as well as covering venues hit by the society all around the UK (Leeds, London, Manchester…) and even as far afield as gigs in Tangier and Ho Chi Minh City.
Ivan Thunders
Thee Lucifer Sams mainstay and the organiser of this festival dodges the giving of a difficult opening slot to warm the audience up by putting himself on with his solo Songs of Death tracks. It’s a solid performance on the guitar with some ethereal vocals that are hardly present but would be missed in their absence. A unique outlook on life (and death) he presents, solid and shimmering guitar with a psychedelic feel that is both pretty and doom laden. He announces at one song this is about the most beautiful thing in life, death, with not trace of irony yet full of knowing.
Pete and the Welcome Addition
Peter Martin rejoins the world of performance for he say the first time in about 19 years, he’s accompanied by Will on guitar and Caitlyn on flute and violin. What we get is some fine songs with humour propelled forward by a constant rhythmic acoustic guitar and extra flavours from what I can only describe as some atmospheric but gorgeous guitar from Will and melodic highlights from Caitlyn on her multiple instruments. He introduces one song by saying ‘this is a jug band song, we’ll expect you to join in at the appropriate moments then in the chorus he bravely says ‘this is the time to get your jugs out’. Upbeat music with some excellent guitar. flute and violin adding extra depth.
Lucy Hope
A minimalist set from ex-Strange Collective Lucy Hope, It varies from her voice floating over a slight backing track (in a good way) and Lucy playing guitar to accompany herself. There’s a dark faulty to the music and some deep covers thrown in. Moments of poetry captivated me spoken over minimal soundscapes. Deep and emotional, delivered earnestly and flawlessly. The sparse performance allowed was followed intently by the hushed crowd allowing Lucy’s voice to be clear and her music and words to float on the air majestically. Deep, dark and emotional.
Torture and the Desert Spiders
A total difference now as Torture and the Desert Spiders vocalist played some shot from the hip big sounding versions of her songs. Brash, exciting, full on and accompanied by conversations with the audience and a lot of humour. No disguising the talent though, a voice that filled the small courtyard, note perfect and a feeling of American rock from the 70s.
Pete Bentham and the Dinner Ladies
What can you say about Pete and his Dinner ladies that hasn’t been said before. For well over 10 years they’ve been delivering their vision of Kitchencore punk. Its perfectly suited to the small environment of Chapters of Us courtyard as it is to a large stage at the Rebellion Festival. Songs about Che Guevara, odes to Lorry Drivers and a lyrical grounding somewhere between The Fall and Half Man Half Biscuit. For tonights cut down set Pete is accompanied by Parabhen on Double Bass who thumps up the rhythm and keeps the songs moving forward at rocket pace as well as adding her vocals, and on everything from glockenspiel to melodica to ukulele and vocals as well as making her debut was Saori. I defy anyone not to want to dance to Lorry Driver or Hip Potater.
Blue Eyed Crows
A new band and tonight performing with just their core of Emma on vocals and Doug on guitar bring another big voice to the night. Doug keeps all the rhythmic and psych (via San Franscisco) sounds going whilst Emma owns the stage in an Ian Astbury-like rock god(ess) manner. There is much audience interaction and banter as they progress their set with some Led Zeppelin sounds and a feeling that you’ve just heard a new version of The Cults Sonic Temple done as it should have been performed. They have a full band in the wings and their performance as a duo promises much.
Day 2 at Vault Liverpool, 29 May 2021
A slightly lower key day on the Saturday, full of chilled out acoustic vibes and vinyl rarities from the DJ sets. Set in the backyard of Vault Liverpool, a lovely little location.
The DJs included Mark Valente with his garage swamped psych, Essa Sheilds hitting up some beautiful heavily orchestrated albums, Betty Bean playing so many good and very different tracks and Ivan Thunders hitting us with his good feel Coffee and Turntables set.
The DJ sets wrapped around some live performances with Dominic Lewington beginning proceedings with a chilled out and laid back set.
Sunzoom gave a solid acoustic performance featuring stripped down versions of his songs. Even without all the psych elements his clear voice and strong songwriting stand out.
Lucas O’Heyze from the Shadow Kabinet hit some ethereal tracks with faded vocals. ‘Its Fucking Good’ is just that and his last song jumps out as an excellent and emotional piece of songwriting.
Thee Lucifer Sams hit a more mellow stride than normal with some chilled out repetition.
The event was promoted/assisted by Ivan Thunders, Liverpool Psychedelic Society, Coffee and Turntables, Thee Lucifer Sams and Last Stop Sounds
Words and Photos: RBY
Pete Bentham and the Dinner Ladies: https://www.facebook.com/dinnerladiesliverpool
Blue Eyed Crows: https://www.facebook.com/BlueEyedCrows
Torture and the Desert Spiders: https://www.facebook.com/TortureandtheDesertSpiders
Lucy Hope: https://www.facebook.com/mrsmeeseeks
Ivan Thunders: https://www.facebook.com/lpsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dominic Lewington: https://www.facebook.com/dominic.lewington.9
Sunzoom: https://www.facebook.com/sunzoommusic
The Shadow Kabinet: https://www.facebook.com/theshadowkabinet
Thee Lucifer Sams: https://www.facebook.com/theelucifersams
Betty Bean: https://www.facebook.com/betty.bean.315
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