Round Up;
Threshold V kicked off yesterday in emphatic fashion with its sprawling creative influence infesting the Baltic Triangle. The Threshold team utilising the Baltic Triangle's many intriguing facets ingeniously. This is the one weekend of the year were Liverpool's new creative hub is completely abuzz.
We caught a total of 12 acts last night, (not a high percentage of the 50+ on display but quite a feat for 2 people) in Elevant, Jazzhands, Alex Hulme, Super Fast Girlie Show, Joni Fuller, Bolshy, Broken 3 Ways, Science Of The Lamps, Nubiyan Twist, Fidel Afro, Police Squad & Detuned Radio, each proving to be a quality attraction in their own right.
Threshold V kicked off yesterday in emphatic fashion with its sprawling creative influence infesting the Baltic Triangle. The Threshold team utilising the Baltic Triangle's many intriguing facets ingeniously. This is the one weekend of the year were Liverpool's new creative hub is completely abuzz.
We caught a total of 12 acts last night, (not a high percentage of the 50+ on display but quite a feat for 2 people) in Elevant, Jazzhands, Alex Hulme, Super Fast Girlie Show, Joni Fuller, Bolshy, Broken 3 Ways, Science Of The Lamps, Nubiyan Twist, Fidel Afro, Police Squad & Detuned Radio, each proving to be a quality attraction in their own right.
Thieves (because they stole the show);
A toss up and a really tight competition between a few bands that I thoroughly enjoyed. Science of The Lamps, headed by Threshold organiser supremo Kaya, were a twee treat for a much appreciating audience, less dainty though with a welcome raw edge in Kaya's spectacular vocals and a cellist who was cooler than Tom Selleck surfing on the back of an Emperor Penguin.
A toss up and a really tight competition between a few bands that I thoroughly enjoyed. Science of The Lamps, headed by Threshold organiser supremo Kaya, were a twee treat for a much appreciating audience, less dainty though with a welcome raw edge in Kaya's spectacular vocals and a cellist who was cooler than Tom Selleck surfing on the back of an Emperor Penguin.
I think I'd have to throw the full honour in the direction of Nubiyan Twist though, who tested the size of the stage to its absolute limit with their 11 members. They closed out Constellations with an set of infectious songs that had every member of the crowd swaying. The first time I've experienced this band and I can really see them filling out larger and larger stage in future.
Coolest Venue;
We caught Police Squad and Detuned Radio on the Liverpool Craft Beer Stage. They are both experts in electro pop. Police Squad focusing on catchy hooks and well written tunes.
Detuned Radio encapsulating the audience with a combination of fluid beats, vibrant keys and effect-laden vocals, they both need to be seen live. The venue itself is a testament to Threshold & The Baltic Triangle with their use of derelict spaces, turning abandoned buildings into thriving, cultural bastions.
Best Line Up;
Well every line up was solid, it must be said, so it is a great testament to Antipop's care for their craft and their mighty roster that they managed to stand out among a crowd of stacked cards.
Broken 3 Ways, Jazzhands, Bolshy & Super Fast Girlie Show is a bill of eye watering proportions. Each band displayed their own unique take on alt, ska, garage and punk stylings. Broken 3 Ways have an arsenal of catchy gems waiting to be embraced by a big audience. Jazzhands we will go into later but, JESUS!. Bolshy are getting bigger and better by the minute and I'm expecting big things. Super Fast Girlie Show were my first new experience and by George was I impressed, bagged my self one of theirs vinyls mid-set and they are now in YB!'s crosshairs. What a line up.
Boundary Pushers;
Threshold has prided itself on displaying an array of weird and wonderful artists, cultural anomalies, tone-lowers, bar-raisers. So, for Jazzhands to shock a swelling audience in District really does say a lot. I'm well versed in their maniacal ways but it never gets old and it is particularly enjoyable to see the bewildered look on the faces of the innocent onlookers.
Pleasant Surprise;
We went for a quick chill and sit down amongst all the stage hopping. We walked into Unit 51 grabbed a superb Threshold ale and caught Alex Hulme serenading the audience with such emotion and vigour it was as if he was plucking on his own heartstrings.
He was followed up by one of my favourite moments of the evening as Joni Fuller took to the state with a smorgasbord of instruments. She kicked off her set with 'The Penny', looping cowbells, shakers vocals to name but a few and lassoing the audience and tightening the rope from start to finish. Definitely one for further listening.
YB! New Darlings;
If you don't discover a host of new acts whilst at Threshold festival then you're doing it wrong.
Day 1 I witnessed Joni Fuller & Alex Hulme for the first time but it was Super Fast Girlie Show (who admittedly I had heard a lot of good about prior to the show) who got me the most, all sludge and punk and growl, they are the shit, if you like you're music on the heavy, churning side then get onto them.
All in the Detail;
Can't write a review of Threshold without throwing a ton of credit their way for the amount of effort they put in, especially with the fine print. I walked into Unit 51 to pick up my pass and received one of the best festival guides I have ever seen, a triangle shaped trinket with all the festival info I could ask for. I also picked up some super cool C.A.L.M plectrums and Threshold badges. All these tiny details all help so much, through booking Liverpool Calling I know the amount of effort it takes to sort these things and to exhibit so many intricacies too is truly impressive.
Biggest Disappointment;
The only disappointment I had last night was that I couldn't checkout more of Fidel Afro and Elevant in Baltic Social, I can't a couple of songs from each but with a tight schedule and a few stage delays I didn't quite have my cake and eat. Both bands are raw energy and relentless though, that can be picked up after a few seconds.
The only disappointment I had last night was that I couldn't checkout more of Fidel Afro and Elevant in Baltic Social, I can't a couple of songs from each but with a tight schedule and a few stage delays I didn't quite have my cake and eat. Both bands are raw energy and relentless though, that can be picked up after a few seconds.
Goals for Day 2;
Saturday is brewing with talent but trying to be realistic as possible then I've got my sights on Monster Sound Collectives Versus stage including Alright The Captain, Singapore Strategy, (Atlas), Pocket Apocalypse, Lost in the Riots & Polymath. Blood Lips and Filter Distortion at District, Broken Men at Observatory, Sea Witches at Unit 51 and I'm gonna try to find the secret of Drop the Dime which looks super cool.
Gonna be pretty busy...
Saturday is brewing with talent but trying to be realistic as possible then I've got my sights on Monster Sound Collectives Versus stage including Alright The Captain, Singapore Strategy, (Atlas), Pocket Apocalypse, Lost in the Riots & Polymath. Blood Lips and Filter Distortion at District, Broken Men at Observatory, Sea Witches at Unit 51 and I'm gonna try to find the secret of Drop the Dime which looks super cool.
Gonna be pretty busy...