It's always awkward when
you go to a gig to watch or review the support band. Rarely is the
crowd at full capacity, and not very often are they particularly
interested. Unless of course the support band you're going to see is
Acre Tarn, and the gig in question is their debut outing. With a veil
of mystique surrounding the band, not a huge amount is known about
them other than that they're an ambient duo who tested the waters
with their debut track 'This Once' back in May. The enigma around the
band looks set to dissipate however, especially if tonight's set is
anything to go by. Dark, atmospheric and ultimately captivating, Acre
Tarn are a band you should be very
excited about.
At
only six tracks long, their set is over too soon, and as the house
lights at Manchester's Deaf Institute go flick on, there's a far
bigger crowd blinking at the brightness than was present in front of
the stage half an hour previously, serving as a testament to the
band's beguiling charm and enigmatic ambience.
Opening
with 'Serene', they quickly assert themselves as something different
from the other bands on the bill and despite having a similar to set
up to headliners Alpines, Acre Tarn's drum loops and synth hooks drip
with a chilly darkness; the vocals only adding to the overall majesty
of it all. An early inclusion of 'This Once' draws yet more of the
crowd towards the stage, whilst what follows is all completely new to
us, tracks such as 'Wishing Bones' and closer 'Skeleton Key' really
exhibiting the diverse musicality of the band before us.
If
tonight's set is anything to go by, then it should go without saying
the band's forthcoming EP should be something we're counting down the
days for. Indeed, whilst their mystique is still very much in place,
as their reputation grows that will certainly change, but it isn't
strictly a bad thing and the more people who would consider
themselves fans of the band, the more my confidence in music-buying
public will grow. For the minute though, the band should continue to
relish in relative anonymity, shrouded by the strobe lights and
haunting synths of live performances, because before long the wheels
of the hype train will set in motion, and all it can do then, is
gather momentum.
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