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Brian Jonestown Massacre, Riverside, Newcastle

  • Published in Live

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a prolific bunch; something evidenced by the merch stand and the plethora of their albums for sale at tonight’s show. With so many tracks to choose from to it comes as no surprise that there is no support act this evening, instead the band are set to play a mammoth three-hour set. Something that is almost unheard of unless you’re The Cure, as they have a tendency to that as well.

Taking to the stage shortly after eight, the band seem to be in high spirits with band leader Anton Newcombe filming the crowd as they take to the stage. They waste no time in getting stuck into their set though, their very languid style aids a rather chilled out evening of some of the finest shoegaze around. Opening with the wonderfully hazy 'Never, Ever!' It sets the pace and tone perfectly.

However, the band do seem to take issue with the lighting after the first track, unfortunately due to the venues skylights, there is little that can be done to create the darkened atmosphere. They plough on regardless their tempo barely wavering, the chugging beats combined with bright riffs.

It does seems to become somewhat monotonous however, there is little enthusiasm being exude from the stage, for some this may not be expected. It’s a very relaxed set from the band, these huge swirling, slowed down anthems please a hefty proportion of the crowd who can be seen nodding along amidst the increasing haze of the smoke coming from the stage.

The latter part of the set maintains the pace but offers a slight variant on the previous tracks, with 'Groove Is In The Heart' and 'Whatever Hippie Beach' lifting spirits ever so slightly. It is a consummate set from an exceptional band, and though they rarely deviate from a well-prescribed blueprint, it does have its merits.

Unfortunately, it lacks any real power; the tracks seemingly blending into one and the excitement never really transpires for most. In all though the extended set is what lets tonight down, with half the amount of time but perhaps a lack of some the embellishment it would have offered the enthusiasm that was lacking. However,  take nothing away from the Brian Jonestown Massacre, their expansive back catalogue is hugely impressive and tonight they truly show it off.

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Reverence Festival Announce The Horrors, Sleep, Alcest, Stoned Jesus and More

  • Published in News

On August 27, 28 and 29 Reverence Festival returns to Valada, Portugal, to offer up another weekender of quality psychedelia. This monster line-up showcases the very best in stoner, grunge, shoegaze and doom, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

UK psych breakthroughs The Horrors are headlining with Californian doom legends Sleep, as French post-rock heroes Alcest  star at the top of the bill next to Amon Düül II.

Ex Brian Jonestown MassacreJoel Gion & The Primary Colours also head up the powerhouse weekender with transcendental psych soundscapes and blistering walls of feedback, whilst Ukrainian rockers Stoner Jesus dish up their own divine take on the genre.

And if that's not enough, Reverence Festival is somewhat of a marathon, where hardcore fans can bask in Valada’s Summer heat as late as 6am. So this year will debut the ‘Sunrise Psychedelic Jam’ which will see members of various bands on the bill play together while the sun rises over the river.

 

For more information, the full line-up so far and tickets, head on over to the festival website

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