Pinegrove: Arts Club, Liverpool

Pinegrove returned to Liverpool after an hiatus and Getintothis’ Will Whitby went to see what we have been missing.

Pinegrove’s 2016 release Cardinal was released on boss Boston label Run For Cover Records to widespread critical acclaim.

The emo outfit expressed themselves a lot more articulated than their, at times, whiney genre counterparts. Great guitar hooks with a warm optimism which always drags the listener back- even with their darker song subjects of growing pains and isolation.

The show in question was due to take place in 2018 but it was cancelled after the group announced an  hiatus.because of sexual coercion claims made regarding the band. Although there was a significant crowd at the Arts Club,  the show appeared laid-back and set for a seemingly low-key return.

This approach was reflected within the crowd. Expected mosh-pits didn’t emerge as there was not much more than fist pumping and joyous singalongs. That being said, the Telecaster filled stage still played a boss show with their easy-going attitude pulsing a positive vibe to surround their at times bitter lyrics.

The big choruses within Cadium and Visiting impressed as the guitar hooks of Angelina got the crowd going as the set also was bolstered with tracks from their 2018 self-released album Skylight. An album that would have been a strong step up for the band, had it been released in different circumstances.

Best track of the night went to Size Of The Moon; a bittersweet lament of never making the most from lives opportunities while being surrounded by a tricky relationship- an anthem for the confused yet articulated emo youth of the post-MySpace meme generation.

Singer Evan Hall warmed to the Scouse crowd- with the occasional random shout of ‘Birkenhead’ from within the mass of flannel shirts. ‘Liverpool ah, home of Flock of Seagulls– your greatest export,’ said Hall.showing Pinegrove‘s post-punk roots and influences.

With the show being played over Grand National weekend, Hall noticed the crowds of people about town ‘heard there is a big horse race today,’ he said. ‘poor horses honestly, seems quite fucked up to me,’  to mass applause from the cruelty-free crowd.

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And as the Grand National weekend opened up, also so does Pinegrove’s optimistic future.

A band knocked off the horse with their break, they will return this year with new music with their third album Marigold later on this year.

As the finale crowd pleaser, New Friends was dedicated to those being stuck behind the Arts Club‘s pillars and those who came alone- it is clear that even after their break- Pinegrove still connect to and mean a lot to so many people.

Images by Getintothis’ Warren Millar

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