Words and Photos: Richie Yates
Joy Division meets funk, Peter Cat Recording Co. seem aptly at home in the Manchester Apollo. They have knack of spawning great grooves but keeping it downbeat, almost melodies and sparse yet complex sounds mixed in. They open the night with a great show of near disco, near indie sounding vibes that are intoxicating and deep.
Khruangbin appear suddenly out of the dark, the three windows in the stage set behind them reminding those of us of a certain age of Playschool. They launch effortlessly into what will be an hour and a half or so of instrumental (with some vocal stylings) music. The three look small on the large stage but they are constantly moving around with some stylised dance steps.
Musically its a virtuoso performance, break beat drums almost quietly supporting complex guitar work and some very insistent and funky bass. We are treated to some chilled out but grand sounding piano parts too.The earlier part of the set is more spaced out with latin rhythms blending in with funkier stuff and led by some out and out prog guitar. Gradually a more straightforward danceable vibe blends in, funkier and more out and and disco.
The crowd want to dance too which is difficult in the seated gig but they do anyway. There is the usual interaction with security staff but most dance at their seats if not in the aisles and the encore encouraging cheer from the crowd is quite something to be in the middle of. The band are popular and the encore doesn’t blow the roof off, it dances it away.
Links:
Khruangbin
Web: https://www.khruangbin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khruangbin
Peter Cat Recording Co
Web: https://www.pcrc.in/