WORDS AND IMAGES BY WARREN MILLAR
Local band and music hero’s “The Mysterines” made time in their busy 2022 schedule for a stop off at Liverpool’s “Invisible Wind Factory” on Saturday night. The Mysterines comprise of vocalist and guitarist Lia Metcalfe, bassist George Favager, guitarist Callum Thompson and drummer Paul Crilly. The Liverpool four-piece are currently sitting in the Top 10 of the UK albums chart with their debut album, Reeling. Their dark and moody grunge rock music is making waves and getting them noticed in the music industry. A band that have long been tipped as ones to watch, let’s hope that in 2022 the words of NME back in March 2020 “This Liverpool group are poised to be the nation’s next fearless rock band” do indeed come true.
It was a nice sunny and bright Saturday early evening as we drove past the iconic Liverpool waterfront which was beautifully lit in the early evening sun. A lot to do with the clocks going forward the weekend before for British Summer time to begin and the fact that it was an early 6pm start for this gig. It felt like we were on our way to an afternoon at a festival instead of an evening gig. Arriving at the venue we noticed that already a sizable queue had formed outside in the bright sunshine.
First up where London based grungers “Fraulein” This duo consist of singer and guitarist Joni Samulels (from Northern Ireland) and drummer Karsten van der Tol (from The Netherlands). A very interesting set of moody grungy rock songs which ebbed and flowed from slow to faster paced tunes. These guys produced such a full sound from just a guitar and drums which really did fill the ever growing venue. Great support guys.
Next on the Invisible Wind factory stage were “Coach Party” hailing from The Isle of Wight this indie rock four piece band are making names for themselves just now. They consist of Jess vocals and bass, Steph and Joe guitars and Guy on drums. Hailed as ones to watch by The Guardian this year. A clear poppy indie guitar focused sound is what you get from “Coach Party” and all very pleasing to the ear. It was nice to see them playing to an almost full venue. Try and catch this quartet if like me you love guitar based indie bands. Nice one “Coach Party” really enjoyable.
After a quick stage reset the lights dim and on come “The Mysterines” each member having a hand full of what looked like black flowers (Sorry I was trying to get some decent images at the time) which they preceded to throw into the now packed out crowd. Then it’s straight into “The Bad Thing” . Lia’s voice is just perfect and the band effortlessly fit around her sound, It just all fits like a glove and the sound is grungy but tight and the songs from this new album just work together as a whole.
Very little talking between songs, but to be honest this didn’t matter because the songs and the sound said it all. It was in ya face dirty grunge rock filled with exquisite guitar riffs and the beautiful voice of Lia Metcalfe. This band deserve all the acclaim they are getting at the moment.
Band:
Lia Metcalfe – Vocals/Guitar
George Favager – Bass
Chrissy Moore – Drums
Stand out songs for us tonight were “Reeling” “All These Things” which got the crowd singing and clapping along making a great sound. “Confession Song” which for the first part was sung by Lia in total darkness and was wonderful just to hear the band, beat and wonderful vocals coming from out of this blackness, truly spine tingling !
A great end to “The Mysterines Reeling Tour” in their home city of Liverpool and the quirky but fantastic venue “The Invisible Wind Factory”
“The Mysterines” We salute you, Brilliant just Brilliant.
SET LIST
1.) The Bad Thing
2.) In My Head
3.) Reeling
4.) Old Friends Die Hard
5.) On the Run
6.) Under Your Skin
7.) Dangerous
8.) Means To Bleed
9.) Life’s A Bitch (But I Like It So Much)
10.) All These Things
11.) The Confession Song
Encore:
12.) Still Call You Home
(Lia acoustic solo)
13.) Be My Baby
14.) Hung Up
FOLLOW THE MYSTERINES
FOLLOW COACH PARTY
FOLLOW FRAULIEN
Warren is a live music and festival photographer based in Cheshire and covers gigs/festivals mostly in the North West of England. He has been photographing live music for over 10 years and has covered major artists and festivals
