LIVE: Findlay @ Liverpool Sound City 24.05.15

The good weather came just in time for Findlay as a packed tent seemed a necessity for heir raucous sound to hit people between the eyes. Surprisingly, people did manage to fit under the white sheets of plastic; it was clear this was a very popular set to catch. Polaric to the upbeat predecessors of the Cargo Stage, Raglans, Findlay immediately turned the atmosphere into a darker, grunge ridden air. There was something incredibly intriguing about this display of an almost haunting build up, which was quickly pierced by the vocals of Natalie Findlay. Tearing and ripping through the smoky tent, her voice travelled and bounced off the back wall, meandering slightly before shaking many.

New tracks took the spotlight during the half an hour set. They recently released ‘Electric Bones’ opened the show and to follow was numerous new numbers including ‘Wolfback’. Both of these tracks have been independently released due to the band’s move away from their label last year. This new, fresh direction has really paid dividends to their liver performance; having seen them minus a keyboard player last year, the additional layers to each song give their sound much more depth even on a festival stage.

‘Super Moon’ was also one of their new songs that slipped its way to sit in their set comfortably. This slightly lighter, tamed version of what you’d expect form a Findlay tune was a good chance to hear the refined lyrics and broken down bass line. Aided by its slower tempo, from here the audience got to see each member’s individual musicianship. Findlay became less of a backing band and more of a collaborative effort.

The sound was, at time to time, an issue – as it had been all weekend to many bands. Unfortunately it did take the edge off the feisty ‘Greasy Love’ although this was quickly made up by the sheer power of ‘Off and On’. Always a highlight, Findlay ended on a high with this song. Arguably the most popular and well know of their repertoire, it left the room quaking and more importantly wanting to hear more.