Etches - Leeds Headrow House, April 6th 2016

"...Next up is the excellent ‘Charm Offensive’ perhaps the pick of the songs tonight as the twin guitar assault works in perfect harmony, keeping together the mid-paced yet fleet footed rhythm with the electronica effects making nice noises around the edges. The sultry slow burner ‘The Great Void’ is one of the EP tracks as is also the fine closer to the set ‘Do Nothing’..."

Headrow House is proving a welcome addition to the Leeds venue list. Slap bang in the middle of town, similar in size to the long departed and much missed Duchess of York, not 100 yards from where HH stands today, it’s yet another chilled and intimate venue for aspiring bands to cut their live teeth. The sound in the room is also surprisingly good, absolutely ideal for showcasing tonight’s small but perfectly formed seven-song Etches set, an assured and rather stylish blend of Liverpudlian art-house rock, certainly holding their own on a packed bill also featuring Edgar Duke, Brothers Water and Carvella, the second date on Etches UK mini-tour.

The tetchily urbane opener ‘Ice Cream Dream Machine’ makes those paying attention in the audience swiftly aware that we’ve some quality songwriting talent in front of us the viewer numbers steadily climbing throughout. There’s also a nice touch from the band in the form of a new 5-track EP, only available to buy at the live shows, acting as the perfect foil for their moody new groover of a single ‘Love Is’. Next up is the excellent ‘Charm Offensive’ perhaps the pick of the songs tonight as the twin guitar assault works in perfect harmony, keeping together the mid-paced yet fleet footed rhythm with the electronica effects making nice noises around the edges. The sultry slow burner ‘The Great Void’ is one of the EP tracks as is also the fine closer to the set ‘Do Nothing’.

Expect to see these guys playing bigger venues soon, probably with their first album under their belt.

Words - Mike Price

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