LIVE: Polar States, O2 academy, Liverpool

Having been picked up by BBC introducing and played on Radio 1, Polar States are another one of Liverpool’s crop of emerging bands to watch out for.

The four piece released their debut single ‘Concrete’ last year after lead singer Paul Tong met an homeless couple who gave him the inspiration behind the track. The single was a taste of the good things to come and marked out the bands keen ability to embrace their surroundings through thoughtful lyricism and infectious melodies. With airplay from the nations major stations including BBC R6, XFM and Amazing Radio the band gained multiple tour support invitations from the likes of The Heartbreaks, Little Comets and We Were Promised Jetpacks.

They returned recently with the well-received single ‘Vines’ and along with it came a headline tour. Tonight they headline Liverpool’s O2 Academy with support from the excellent The Jackobins and Broken Witt Rebels.

For the 45-minute set we were graced with new material alongside some of the older tunes which were oozing with the trademark liquid guitar lines and souped up choruses that the crowd knew so well. New release ‘Shimmer’ was a highpoint of the night with melodies that played in my mind for days after and riffs that could captivate an arena. The set provided the perfect hallmark of Liverpool’s vibrant sound and never-ending source of talent which the Polar States are radiating.

As a result of performances such as this Polar States have been working with a Grammy Award winning producer who has helped bring the group from strength to strength developing songs as genuine and heartfelt as the band are themselves. Mid set, Paul announced to the crowd that the band  are hoping to go to LA to record before the end of the year to and that didn’t come as a shock considering the quality performance from all four members.

After having a chance to catch up with the band on Sunday, they had this to say:

To be honest, we were all pretty overwhelmed with the gig… It was our first headline show and the place was packed. We didn’t expect that at all! It got pretty messy after, we headed to this bar called The Berlin (we’ve got a song written about it) and had a massive after show, the place was rammed. My hangover is going to last for a good few days…

Polar States are due to play Liverpool’s Sound City this Friday (22nd May) and London 229 on June 20th.

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones

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