The hive of activity and hum of sound emulating through Liverpool, culminates into one triumphant summation that is Liverpool Music Week. Held once a year in the city this festival, brings an astounding week-long selection of events that showcases the latest and greatest in musically gifted talent. The likes of Perfume Genius, Childhood and a finale hosted by Chic are enough to entice a following for LMW, with all acts presented receiving the regard that LMW showcases artists that are irrevocably ‘ones to watch’.

One such gig during LMW 2017 was an intimate, elusive set at Liverpool’s The Magnet, from a group of upcomers that have the air of a band which are set to take us all by storm. There’s a building buzz around Gengahr. Like a tornado twisting and turning, taking structure and forming a spiral which entrances any spectator. The release of their debut album back in 2015, swept the foursome out of the undergrowth and spun them on their heads, as A Dream Outside was picked up and pushed to the masses by the likes of The Guardian and BBC’s Huw Stephens. Now on the cusp of releasing their second album titled Where Wilderness Grows, Gengahr have announced a UK tour for 2018, stimulated their mounting success and support slots alongside Wolf Alice, Alt-J and The Maccabees.

Tucked underground along a busy Liverpudlian high street, dynamic duo Her’s opened the evening with a sultry, nonchalant ease like the captivating sound of Mac DeMarco. A breeze of surf-pop held its own amongst the audience, whom could have easily been positioned at one of Her’s own gigs. The pair present a swinging scuzz held forward by both members, with neither shy or retiring from their apparent new fanbase. Following on, towards the main act of the evening were Loved One’s, brandishing sparks of indie pop that reverberated with the stealth of Muse and a flash of a teenage dream with their electronica skimming folk sound.

Climatically Gengahr slinked on to the stage, a relaxed air met the heightened atmosphere uplifted by the young audience. This relaxed feel was soon to be lifted as a sweet smell of sticky perfume and sweat filtered through the room, as it had suddenly filled, and a hyped crowd had replaced what was there before. Their new tracks were met with favour and excitement for the bands future, but the thrill that applauded songs from their debut album such as ‘Fill My Gums with Blood’ and ‘Bathed in Light’ couldn’t be overlooked. Their polished music holds them up as future festival forces and tour titans who will swagger on to summertime stages. If you haven’t heard of them yet: give it a season or two.

Hannah Tinker
@hannahetinker