This gig was Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation’s first ever UK show. The Swedish psyc-popsters play out tonight in Dalston promoting single ‘Take Me Beyond’ and forthcoming album ‘Horse Dance’, both out now. Chatting to a friend before the gig, having just interviewed the band he said how refreshing JO+L are; wide eyed optimism, ambition and refreshing enthusiasm in promoting their new material.
Support act 'The Wharves' were a true joy. Clearly well-rehearsed and technically tight, the three girls have a close rapport with one another. 'Warpaint' like intricate finger picking guitar and encaptivating vocal harmonies make it hard to decipher who is actually singing. They are together in their sound, their only hesitation coming between songs when bass player Gemma Fleet endearingly chats merchandise and encourages the crowd to step forward, to which we are more than obliged.
The lights dimmed for the headliners to almost pitch black darkness with just the bands own projections filling the stage, the mood changing significantly from the light hearted and well lit girl trio support with the expectation of something mesmerising. For the next half hour we were being asked to get lost in their world and go on a journey. After a nervy start due to some technical issues the band found their stride, lead singer Josefin Öhrn standing almost motionless with trade mark hair swept across her face, the most animation coming from their lead guitarist Fredrik Joelson with Will Sergeant style military attire.
The band's sound is entrancing, driving psychedelic rock. I saw comparisons with my London psych favourites 'TOY' and fellow Swede's 'Goat'; who the band has toured their homeland with. Tribal style chanting with Incoherently low mix vocals over ambient driving guitars is a great sound and JO+L had all the pieces in place that gave the aforementioned carte blanch to let an audience let go and become transfixed in a sound.
Unfortunately tonight I just didn't get to that place. I couldn't find traction; their ambition was defeated by the intimate nature of the Shacklewell where the attentive audience's gratitude was shown with muted applause and polite mumbling. If this was the eleventh hour at a festival I could be there with them and I feel a little cheated I'm not. New single 'Take me Beyond' was the definite show stopper and for me shone as the more pop evoked elements of this clearly talented band could be seen... despite the low lighting.
Tom