Sounds From Shaped Hollows: Friday @ Threshold Festival

AS a Threshold virgin I didn't really know what to expect from tonight. Scanning through the line-up my first impression is of the sheer volume of acts on the bill. And this is just for one day, there are two more to go!

It seems ambitious, which there is nothing wrong with, but whether it can live up to expectations is another thing.

This year it moves from the sadly now defunct CUC, to fresh pastures mere yards down the road to what was formerly known as The A-Foundation. Now it goes by the title The Blade Factory, a maze of several rooms which lead to Camp & Furnace, a huge disused warehouse that has recently housed WAXXX parties and Chibuku since the closure of The Barfly.

Here is my pick of Friday's musical highlights from the festival's main arenas.

The Furnace

FONETIKS

Are a lively three piece of guitar, drums and what can only be described as a smorgasboard of effects.

What these guys lack in technical ability they make up for in high octane energy and raw potential, which to a degree allows us to turn a blind eye to some slightly unimaginative guitar and drum patterns and weak vocals.

Tracks build slowly to a peak that threatens to erupt but never quite does.

Fonetiks

SCIENCE OF THE LAMPS

Festival co-organizer Kaya’s latest project, which sounds like Silence Of The Lambs when spoken with her Norwegian lilt, is yet another impressive outlet for her prodigious talent.

She may be small but she has a big voice, and is flanked by three backing singers whose harmonies perfectly compliment it and are a joy to hear.
Each song tells its own story, such as 27 For A Reject about Kaya surpassing the ill-fated age for rock stars, delivered with a light-hearted hue that crack plenty of smiles and warm hearts in the chilly warehouse.

Silence Of The Lamps

MUTO LEO

Math-rockers who on first inspection seem unlikely to bring anything new to a well-populated genre other than the fact that they don’t sing.

They are an incredibly tight unit and as the set wears on it becomes both pulsating and mesmeric, some of the interplay between the group simply enchanting.

The two guitarists stand facing each other as if entering into a music duel, while the rhythm section pounds on, keeping them in check.

It’s an effortless display that is both open and frank and it rightly draws one of the biggest crowds of the night.

Muto Leo

MINION TV

Set behind a background of TV static the band set off on what can only be described as an epic space rock adventure.

Pink Floydian at times, the musical landscapes and textures they create are fascinating and blissful.

But by equal measure it is a hugely self-absorbed performance, and this type of introspection doesn’t transfer well to a gig of this ilk, making it difficult to maintain audience focus for long.

If these guys aren’t involved in making film scores, that is surely where they belong.

Minion TV

CAROUSEL

Are an intriguing and exciting young prospect, professing complex, introspective alternative Indie and some impressive quiffs.

The Charm Offensive is gorgeously open, the band not afraid to leave spaces in the music, allowing the song to resonate around Camp & Furnace’s vast chasms.

Searing vocals haunt the bleak electronics of Mere Idea, whilst final number Lets Move In builds slowly and methodically into a belter with a vocal hook that is reminiscent of Noel Gallagher’s Talk Tonight; instantly catchy and infectious. Carousel are a real highlight and ones to watch.