The Boris Johnson Massacre
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER –
Tonight at Manchester’s Soup Kitchen, we are in for something special. Not only is it the last gig of the year for psych favourites The Lucid Dream, but we are being treated to an amalgamation act known only as The Boris Johnson Massacre.
Taking to the dimly lit stage, The Boris Johnson Massacre are made up of two members of shoegaze outfit Purple Heart Parade and five members of hotly tipped new act, Freakout Honey. With only two rehearsals under their belts, this fledgling project offers dreamy shoegaze riffs with an undercurrent of psych rock. The vocals of Purple Heart Parade front man Peter Cowap change the sound associated with Freakout Honey’s ‘Cast a Line’ in this clever reworking of the track. This comes before much loved Purple Heart Parade track ‘Drifter’ graces the airwaves, and with two members of Freakout Honey formerly of Purple Heart Parade, it is not too much of a surprise this has made an appearance tonight, it’s most welcome. A jangly, tambourine laden version of ‘Starfucker Blues’ is another lapped up offering and the whole package is neatly rounded off with a random track that’s sprung fourth from seven creative minds.
The Lucid Dream are a firmly established favourite with any psych aficionado and they have a particularly strong following in Manchester. With tonight’s show being their last of the year, the fans are out in force and the venue is buzzing as they take to the stage. They start with the eight minute instrumental masterpiece that is ‘Mona Lisa’ which comes from their latest self-titled album. This repetitive track builds in intensity with its progression and showcases the musical talent of the band to good effect and always makes for a strong opener.
Next we are straight into ‘Cold Killer’ with its edgy guitar riffs and motorik-esque drum beats. This is a real dance around tune and has the desired effect on the crowd. Hot on its heels comes ‘The Emptiest Place’, the B side to recent single ‘Moonstruck’, with its western feel riffs and relentless energy.
The Lucid Dream
We take a step back now, ‘Heartbreak Girl’ is a track which hasn’t been played live in some time and the crowd know this, taking it in its all its magnificence. The cheer at the end is testimony to how well it’s gone down. Right back to the present with ‘Unchained Dub’ which is from the latest album and is incredibly catchy with its consistent drum beat and melodica sections thrown in for good measure. This one always goes down well and tonight has been no exception. ‘Sweet Hold on Me’ is quite simply fantastic in its perfect execution and has the audience rocking along merrily before the set is rounded off with ‘Morning Breeze’ which offers a slow build with guitar screeches galore before the track mellows and the harmonies come into their own. It’s a great track to end on and leaves the fans with bated breath, wanting more.
This has been a great sign off gig for the lads and although they will be missed at Liverpool Psych Fest, those present tonight have witnessed something magical with this arguably being their tightest live performance to date. With a third album imminent, it won’t be long before their back gracing the stage once more.
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Lover of all things psych and shoegaze and the mind behind Astral Elevator; constantly seeking new musical experiences in a world full of noise.
