#threshold14 / Ten Bands You Shouldn't Miss at Threshold (2014)
#srcz
asked our reporter Joseph Crawford to choose highlights from the cream of
talent on offer at Liverpool’s Threshold Festival in its fourth year…
Having
organized all the artists and their respective performance days, (which you can
find here),
the Threshold Festival 2014 fuse has been lit! And with a stunning number of stages to choose from, where should you be and
when is the main question!
*By
the way, I only haven’t mentioned The Destroyers because seeing them is just
common sense. Now, on to just a handful
of the incredible talent (in no particular order) heading for the city of
Liverpool on the 28th to the 30th March in venues across the Baltic Triangle.
Natalie McCool (pictured)
Natalie McCool (pictured)
Liverpool’s
Female Artist of the Year 2013, McCool is one of the city’s crowning glories,
and you simply can’t afford to miss her play to home ground. McCool’s voice,
style, and grace is unparalleled, an irrefutable talent who’ll leave you
speechless. With a riot of success following her debut album, this star has
already risen to great heights, and can only go further - so grab a place at
the Threshold launch, quick! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/natalie-mccool/
Friday 28th, The Baltic Social
The
69 Watts
Already
on the ‘must-see’ list for their Threshold Promotional Video (see it here), The 69 Watts
power some dirty-ass bluesin’ slide guitar, and a wicked beat to match. The
kind of band that cools the whole atmosphere, and makes you want to order
another shot of Jack Daniels. Miss The 69 Watts at your peril, stranger. http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/the69watts/
Sunday 30th, Unit 51 pt.2
Silent
Cities
‘Silent’
is how the crowd went as the ghostly phrases swam out of S. Maddison’s guitar
at the Liverpool Fringe 2013 – the first time I ever heard pure bliss. Heart
breaking melodies, uplifting falsetto vocals, and the most intimately-crafted
song structures I have ever known. I don’t care where you are or who you’re
with - you must see this rare bird
before he flies away. http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/silent-cities/
- Saturday 29th, The Nordic Church
Bolshy
If
you live in Liverpool and don’t know Bolshy, you probably do know Bolshy.
They’re those insanely talented young lads and lasses busking on the streets
‘X’ days a week, rain or shine. Rhythm, Rhyme, Rasta-rockin’ tunes, Bolshy are
a brass/strings/percussion wonderment that simply makes Liverpool proud. Don’t
be stingy now, they’re worth every penny! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/bolshy/
Friday 28th, District
The
Part Time Heliocentric Cosmo Drama After School Club
TPTHCDASC
has been suggested to me by the good folks at Rebel Soul. A new one for me, the
Club, launched at the 2013 ‘Space is the Place’ event at the Kazimier, appears
to be a big band tribute to Sun Ra – the late, great electric-jazz mystic of
the 80s. This will be the event where the true freaks will get their kicks, and
I will be among the first in line! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/the-part-time-heliocentric-cosmo-after-school-drama-club-saturn-lancashire-division/
Saturday 29th, 24 Kitchen Street
Book
Thieves (Listen to the band above in a very special video...)
Another
Threshold/Rebel Soul favourite, Book Thieves are a band on the rise. An
alternative folk-rock band formed in 2010, Book Thieves are all about keeping
it live and loud. A barrel of talent and a beer keg of laughs, get your groove
on with the Thieves at the Blade Factory gig come Friday! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/book-thieves/
Friday 28th, Blade Factory
Science
of the Lamps
Dreamy,
Folky, Crazy combinations of music, fused with theatricality and wonderment –
Science of the Lamps are a big-band with an undeniable presence, enchanting
melodies, and a thirst for entertaining their audiences. Another one for the
freaks and mystics, you can find me basking in their light come Friday! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/science-of-the-lamps/
Friday 28th, 24 Kitchen Street
Alpha
Male Tea Party
Like
a wall of sound 10ft thick, Alpha Male Tea Party are going to knock your last
pair of socks into the stratosphere. Downright brutal rock with melodies so
calculated they’ll blow your senses into Nirvana! These boys are Liverpool
favourites, so it’ll be one hell of a crowd! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/alpha-male-tea-party/
Friday 28th, The Nordic Church
Jo
Bywater
‘Chasing
Tales’, Bywater’s EP won her FATEA Award’s ‘Best EP’ award in 2013 – and this
one you’ll want to catch in the act. Utterly devoted music, I’ve only seen Jo
Bywater play live once, but the intricacy of each note and the sequence of
words had my mouth gawping the entire set. An acoustic master, Bywater is a
stomp-box/finger-picking/slide sensation, and that’s before you hear the words
of a truly original soul. http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/jo-bywater/
Sunday 30th, Baltic Bakehouse pt. 1
Avital
Raz
Israeli-born
singer-songwriter Avital Raz is a lyrical genius, and an exotic talent. With a
range of beautiful instruments, Avital knows how to entrance her audience, and
wake them up in the same whim. I knew as soon as I met her in Lancaster, Avital
Raz is a natural performer who delivers controversial material with the fullest
of convictions, and then lulls you right back into comfort. http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/avital-raz/
Friday 28th, The Baltic Social
Red-Eyed
Jedi
It
simply wouldn’t feel like a festival without a syringe full of Red-Eyed Jedi’s non-stop-boppin’
Ska! You want energy, silliness, and the very definition of liveliess? Look no
further than Red-Eyed Jedi – the brass monsters will be unleashed on Saturday –
do NOT miss them, or I’ll 2-step punch you in the jaw with a trumpet! http://thresholdfestival.co.uk/redeyed-jedi/
Saturday 29th, District pt. 1
I
must apologise to all the stunning acts I have missed out, there are simply too
many to fit into one article! Forthaven, Broken Men, Dominic Dunn, Fidel Afro,
The Fire Beneath the Sea – all of these and so
many more will be rocking, lulling, blasting, soothing, freaking, beasting
and grooving your musical sensibilities all weekend at Threshold Festival
2014. Tickets are available from Skiddle on the website, and from the Facebook
events page.
"Because if you don't, the giant robot
will come to your house, rip off the roof, and squish you with his giant robot
foot. It’s true, I asked it..." (A.R.Obot)
