SUNDAY 5th July welcomed a very special anniversary to Liverpool's Kazimier, twenty-five years of Heavenly Recordings, a life-line for hundreds of alternative artists and identity for millions of music fans all over the globe.Being in work hindered The Music Manual's chance of seeing earlier acts; Duke Garwood, Gwenno, Kid Wave and Stealing Sheep, however, after speaking to a great deal of the crowd who had gathered it was clear we had missed something quite spectacular.
From the outside, the allure of The Kazimier is too much to bear. Once you step inside that venue, all your senses heighten, it's a world within our world, I'm yet to experience this anywhere else. Carried away within the copious shadows, within the back drop of murmured spurges of eager fans waiting for the dawn of The Voyeurs.
Suited and booted in an array of bondage and charity shop gear, The Voyeurs certainly wanted to prove a point. Their moody exterior complimented The Kazimier's interior and of course, the crowd went wild. Tracks such as England Sings Rhubarb Rhubarb tended to get the best reception, bodies rocking forward and back, heads bopping furiously. Front man Charlie Boyer uses an unsettling thrust of emotion to force a hearty vocalism upon us. Bewitched by a spine chilling instrumental, the newly found experimental body of The Voyeurs was revealed that night. After starting out in 2012, their sultry sound has turned into a seedy curiosity, one we cannot get enough of.
One of the biggest receptions of the night came in support for local lads, Hooton Tennis Club, who have had an insane year in music so far. Starting off quietly to then explode amongst both the local and national music industry. Shipped away to work in London, the four lads had a great connection with the crowd, as if they had never left the vicinity of Liverpool. Strong vocals and warming tones set up shop, providing a wonderful locality to proceedings, we welcomed them home with open arms. At the end of their set, they looked exhausted, putting their all into every little note and chord that poured into us, The Music Manual cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Taking to the stage next were Australian psych-rockers, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard. After falling in love with them last September, we were eager to see whether they lived up to their unearthly expectations. It was clear of their presence before they descended down the stage steps. We all wished for something amazing, more than your bog-standard set, why did I even have an inch of doubt? Introducing themselves with a wild array of instrumental prangs, front-men Stu MacKenzie and Ambrose Kenny Smith fed us an esoteric vocalism, pulsating our minds with such a trippy hymn. Cellophane was the track of the set, personally, I lost it. We all did. It is definitely in contention for the best track of the decade with its ridiculously fast chord interchanges matched with a highly addictive beat. The addition of a harmonica is so basic however highly ingenious. When they left, we all fell to the floor. Wide-eyed in disbelief, this is what live music is all about.
Last but not least, The Wytches. By far one of Heavenly's success stories, playing with many music legends all the while gaining a mass following, impressive of a band going for three years. A lot of people were eager to see the return of the Brighton based 3-piece to the Kazimier after their show last October. The description of garage rock has always to me seemed to fit Wytches perfectly yet during their set I saw something a bit more to them. From start to finish, it was a journey from their conception to new-found glory.
Twenty five years of Heavenly Records summed up in one momentous occasion. The collaboration by the label and local promoters, Harvest Sun was one made by gods. Although the future is bleak for the Kazimier, events like this prove how the venue will live on with such a poignant legacy.
Words Lauren Jones
Twenty five years of Heavenly Records summed up in one momentous occasion. The collaboration by the label and local promoters, Harvest Sun was one made by gods. Although the future is bleak for the Kazimier, events like this prove how the venue will live on with such a poignant legacy.
Words Lauren Jones
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