I Like Trains - The Soup Kitchen, Manchester - 12th May 2012 (Live Review)
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Written by Ben Bland
It is hard to understand why I Like Trains are still playing tiny little venues like The Soup Kitchen. This is a band that, over the course of three full-lengths and numerous EPs, has shown a constant desire to defiantly be their own band at all times. From the expansive post-rock leanings of their debut to the krautrock influenced post-punk of most recent release 'The Shallows', the Leeds band have marched to the beat of their own drum but, as with most of the best bands in Britain, without ever getting anywhere near the amount of credit they deserve.
Support act Heart Ships are probably doomed to a similar fate. They take to the stage as a bundle of barely contained joy and, with a sound that is not dissimilar to recent efforts by tonight’s headliners (but only if they were given a load of happy pills), they seem to make an impression on those members of the crowd who have ventured down early. There is a slight Arcade Fire-esque dash of the baroque that is particularly intriguing. Heart Ships are definitely ones to watch.
When I Like Trains take to the stage themselves it is to a warm reception, and to the challenge of having to weave their way between all their equipment on the cramped stage. Despite joining his bandmates in wearing all black, frontman David Martin in particular seems in good spirits; if it annoys the band that they are still playing such small stages then they have learned to hide it. The set is mostly culled from 'The Shallows', and as such the metronomic drumming of Simon Fogal on many of its songs deserves particular credit. With the likes of 'Mnemosyne' and 'Water/Sand' proving particular highlights, the power of the performance is only muted slightly by some occasionally too low in the mix vocals, and by the fact that possibly the majority of people here are not yet familiar with newer material.
If one moment could be used to define this gig it would be its climax. Returning to the stage for an encore of debut album epic 'Spencer Perceval', just a couple of days past the 200th anniversary of the man’s death, I Like Trains pretty manage to rip The Soup Kitchen’s collective faces off with a stunningly potent reminder of their earlier sound. Martin ends the set with a little more rock n’ roll vigour than his trademark baritone suggests him capable of, almost decapitating part of the front row as he wields his guitar as part of an overwhelming sea of sound. It caps off a performance that demonstrates a lot about why I Like Trains are so worthy of your attention; understated but still ferocious at the same time.
'The Shallows' is out now via I Like Records.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
When I Like Trains take to the stage themselves it is to a warm reception, and to the challenge of having to weave their way between all their equipment on the cramped stage. Despite joining his bandmates in wearing all black, frontman David Martin in particular seems in good spirits; if it annoys the band that they are still playing such small stages then they have learned to hide it. The set is mostly culled from 'The Shallows', and as such the metronomic drumming of Simon Fogal on many of its songs deserves particular credit. With the likes of 'Mnemosyne' and 'Water/Sand' proving particular highlights, the power of the performance is only muted slightly by some occasionally too low in the mix vocals, and by the fact that possibly the majority of people here are not yet familiar with newer material.
