PETSEMATARY take to stage sounding like the soundtrack to the scene in a teen movie where the protagonist runs through the park thinking about whether to chuck her boyfriend or not. They look like they should be playing in the bar during an episode of Buffy. ‘Orpheus’ ups the rock ante. Nothing particularly original but it is done with charm and gusto, and that is more than enough to make it work.
Coco And The Lost make an explosive start with perfectly crafted singalong pop rock. ‘Communicator’ is a radio-friendly unit shifter. It’s a touch Reading Festival when this writer’s heart is climbing the fence at Glastonbury. Still, Coco is a great performer and she works the stage and crowd. No one is talking. All eyes are to the front. Good luck to them. They deserve to hit the daytime radio playlists with major label backing. The songs are good enough. Lots of people will sing along to ‘Cry In The Bathroom’.
Thankfully Peter Xan is altogether more filthy, his soulful London accent riding the polished punk sound. Possibly the tallest artist we have ever seen on the Hope stage, he retains a warm style and energetic presence. His backing band look fantastic as they throw themselves about: dreadlocks flying and kilts thrusting provocatively.
Sonically it comes across like a harder King Krule with a fiercer Pixies edge and a touch of Bloc Party. There is a reason this man is working with Grian Chatten of Fontaines DC and Dan Carey.
‘Abdicate’ adds a nice wistfulness to the melody that suggests these songs will make good home listening too. Peter definitely has a voice that invites attention. The next instalment of the Speedy Wunderground hit machine is here!
The Police repeatedly spring to mind. While no band ever wants to read a review comparing them to Sting, the fact is: The Police had some amazing tunes and so does Peter Xan. Meanwhile, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ is not a cover. It’s a slow punky reggae party. It’s fantastic, and while not The Cure song it ushers in the start of some early Cure sounds to the sonic mix.
For the last song all the band get in the crowd once they manage to untangled their leads. Chaos ensues!
Hope & Ruin, Wednesday 10th April 2024
Words by Nick McAllister
Photos by Stan O’Shea
