Phantom Band, Stag and Dagger, Vibe Bar
Phantom Band played Stag and Dagger at Vibe Bar
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Wednesday, 27, May 2009 09:08
Julia Ross finds it difficult to stomach a dense and intense set from a critically-lauded outfit.
The hypnotic and unsettling quality of Phantom Band's live performance blended seamlessly with the darkness and slightly suffocating atmosphere at packed-out Vibe Bar.
Already critically acclaimed by the likes of Mojo, Q and the Guardian, Phantom Band's performance- though undeniably impressive- was difficult to deal with in large blocks. There is a dense quality to the music in its meshing together of several different sounds and genres to create something which it is difficult to draw immediate comparisons for. The set moved relentlessly through intense, ambient tracks and heavy, rock guitars with no moments of light relief.
The defining track of the performance, was easily the epic and lingering I Love My Hole (a very different song to the one suggested by the title!). The dark, resonating chants set to heady but mournful keyboards filled and overpowered the room and seemed to last for hours - in a good way.
All in all, not a band to everyone's taste and possibly a grower - it would be difficult to imagine a full-length set from this group.
Julia Ross