So, I’m currently sat in a taxi on my way to an unknown venue somewhere in Salford. I give the taxi driver an address I found online and he takes me down an almost pitch black alleyway which leads into a derelict industrial site, I’m a little worried. Two men stand outside and the taxi driver shouts “are those your guys?”, I timidly reply “I have no idea, mate”, but as I open the door and pay my fare the two guys ask me if I have any spare tickets to sell and I hear the sound of drums and rumbling bass lines. I’m starting to feel a little relieved. The venue in question is ‘The Bunker’, probably one of the most interesting venues I’ve ever been to and the perfect setting to hear the bewitching soundscapes of Brighton based trio ‘Esben And The Witch’. The performance space is pretty much in a square with wooden panels propped up around it, the audience cram themselves around three of its four walls and the back wall acts a screen to project visuals.
Support tonight comes from local outfit ‘Embers’, a six piece playing bold, majestic indie rock with lots of group vocals, tinklings of piano and violins that really helps lift their sound into big, almost cinematic space. They remind of early 00’s indie rock outfit ‘Hope Of The States’ in the way of their set up and how their songs burst into crescendos of crashing drums and soaring guitars, and their instant melodies and simple yet catchy group yelps are not too far off from Arcade Fire’s early material. An impressive support.
So, we’re in a dimly lit room with a roof that looks like it’s going to tumble down on us at any given moment, everyone is dressed in coats and hats huddling to keep warm and images of controlled explosions are projected onto the screen. I think we’re about ready for something gloomy and edgy. Esben And The Witch pretty much exploded on the underground scene in 2011 with the release of their debut album ‘Violet Cries’ which arrived to good reviews and ensued a year of touring around the world building up a small yet devoted fan base. Two years on and the three piece have just released their second LP ‘Wash The Sins Not Only The Face’ which see’s them bring a much more expansive yet full tone to their already bewilderingly ethereal sound.
The intense atmosphere the band create and the journey their sounds take you on is spellbinding and exciting to watch.
All in all, a unique and enjoyable gig going experience.