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Kagoule - Pharmacy
There’s a pretty good crowd in The Bodega already when first support act Pre-Birds start off the night, and these local lads get an appreciative reaction to their thrashing grunge and bellowing (in the most melodic of ways!) vocals. Sadly they had no merch for any new fans, but at least their debut EP is out this month.
Widnes band Mum (formerly Aeroplane Flies High) arrive on stage with a swagger and some fuzzy rock with just a touch of thrash. They run through their set with a low-key charm, cheekily goading the crowd in between songs with a bit of friendly banter, like about being more oop North than Notts (how very dare!) and the crowd responds with gruff goodwill.
It’s clear, however, where the crowd's true devotion lies. As Kagoule appear on stage to tune-up, almost out of nowhere a moshpit forms, ready and willing to give their all on the altar of this beloved Nottingham trio.
Kagoule start off their set with Adjust the Way, a dark meander through grunge with a healthy shot of The Pixies sound. The distinctive vocals of guitarist Cai Burn ring out through the room, slightly reedy, yet still somehow strong and arresting. Lucy Hatter, on bass and sharing vocal duties, is a musical powerhouse, cranking out chest-rattling beats with verve, while drummer Lawrence English skillfully pounds the life out his kit.
They’ve got all the energy you expect from artists who’ve only just jumped into their twenties, but the extra bit of polish that comes from a band that have been around the circuit a time or two - unsurprising, since they’ve been jamming together since they were around fourteen. The band brings out album tracks from their debut effort Urth and pop in a bit of new material - new song Balance is almost classic indie, with even a hint of Britpop-era Blur in the mix.
‘This is our last song,’ Lucy says, before the band starts in on a raucous rendition of It Knows It. But the crowd isn’t having any of it as the last notes of the bass wind down - popular early release Gush has yet to be played, so we know the band must be bluffing. An encore is a must. And when the first bars of Gush’s dark, spidery riff crawl out the crowd throws the band’s energy back at them tenfold and we even get a valiant attempt at a bit of crowdsurfing.
Kagoule were live at The Bodega on Saturday 14 May 2016.
Kagoule website
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