Liverpool Sound City 2015 review: Evian Christ, Tim Peaks Diner, Fucked Up, UMO, Doomsquad, Stealing Sheep, Blaz Perus, Saskwatch, God Damn

Although we’re glad they took it upon themselves to make the comparison, God Damn have a lot more credibility than their chart topping contemporaries. Amplified by a fortress of Orange stacks, the band blast-beat their way through a cataclysmic set of speed metal, sludge and grunge.

The Kraken stage was host to this years’ Australian showcase. The international expo has become a regular feature at Sound City, highlighting the best in emerging Ozzie talent. Delightedly, Saskwatch weren’t just another shrimp on the barbie. The Melbourne 6-piece amass and engage a considerable crowd with their upbeat garage rock vibes.

The sassy Nkecki Anele gives an unshrinking performance of I Get Lonely; dancing and weaving as she delivers soulfully stirring vocals. We’re reminded of Alabama Shakes and the pixelated FX of Deerhoof. In their sets’ closing moment, the lead guitarist went as mad as a meat-axe; impulsively climbing an adjacent speaker in adrenaline fuelled gratification.

Slovenian producer Blaz Perus followed the energetic Saskwatch with some rather bland balearic beats, occasionally accompanied by timid and fumbling trumpet embellishments. We found ourselves willing the ornamental kraken into existence.

There was a lustre from the city skyline as we approached The Atlantic Stage to see scouse folklore Stealing Sheep. The trio had retained a huge crowd following on the heels of recent collaborators’ Dutch Uncles. We were at once struck by the level of artistry achieved in this seamless performance. The regimented, rolling rhythms of Lucy Mercer underpinned a trance inducing choir of harmony from Rebecca and Emily. The visuals were magnetic; a sort of Escher meets Monty Python animation that were played alongside synchronised slices of the group’s recent video for crowdpleaser Not Real.

DOOMSQUAD were quick out of the traps at the intimate Mail Chimp Records. The Canadian trio were already playing their penultimate track by the time we had squeezed ourselves between the crowd and the crates. We were greatly impressed with their immersive high fidelity.

Over at the Baltic the crowd grew restless in anticipation of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Responsively, they duly replied with emphatic opener From The Sun, as spotlights and strobes began to illuminate and cascade around the warehouse space, we are momentarily interrupted by a giant skeleton maisonette. Tracks from new album Multi-Love reach our ears for the first time.

Absolutely no prisoners are taken when Fucked Up were unleashed upon Sound City. Security were forced to disperse some of the ensuing aggression, as Damian Abraham barked and jostled with his mosh-ready faithful. Hardcore would be a fitting description for Fucked Up’s chaotic live performance.

Tim Peak’s Diner catered for the spiritually wounded with its Northern Soul discotheque cum dance move masterclass.

Evian Christ played us out with down pitched hip-hop samples and cinematic textures. The Ellesmere Port producer, who purportedly keeps a low profile, had all eyes on him as he conducted the beats and bass until the early hours.