Liars w/ Deerhunter – KOKO, London 17/06/08

-
Liars / Photographs: Ama Chana

Prior to the show, I’d hardly heard anything by either act before- just a shed load of hype and hyperbole. Gig-wise comrades had declared this was not a show to be missed, a double-whammy of impeccable awesome that would totally blow me away.

Well, they were half-right.

The considered, melodic fuzz of Bradford Cox’s Atlanta, Georgia outfit Deerhunter wasn’t well served by the Koko’s dire acoustics, but despite the lack of volume and static, nervy stage demeanour it was clear that these guys are pretty special- they’ve captured that same kind of mesmerising, hazy groove that the Animal Collective crew excel at. A generous hour long support slot allowed them time to slowly build up their multi-layered walls of noise, and although it sagged occasionally, the overall effect was decidedly lovely as it swelled gloriously.

And to Liars, fresh off the back of their successful dates with Radiohead in North America and you would think they would seemingly be buoyed with new energy and enthusiasm. Alas, they came across like a watered down Les Savy Fav- more notable for the antics of likable Ozzie front man Angus Andrew rather than their musical talents. That’s not to say their energetic post-punk which could be the soundtrack to doomsday it self, is bad (although sometimes it really is terrible) but apart from a couple of endearing sing-along’s and the occasional inspired groove it never really sparked. And when it did kick start into gear, when ‘Plaster Casts of Everything’ blasts through. Sadly it’s a little too late as it’s the set closer.

In fairness, much of the blame lies with the dreadful audience who generally looked like they’d been dragged to the venue by gunpoint- any energy expended by the band was quickly lost in a void of indifference. Sure there are a couple of people, drunk, trying to egg on the crowd on but to no avail, but even taking that into account, there wasn’t much there that suggested they really deserved the hype- a fun diversion, to be sure, but nothing more.

Deerhunter