Lionface at the Sebright Arms
Lionface, an alt-pop quartet from Bristol headed by vocalist Kat Marsh, released their eagerly anticipated Battle EP on 25th September, along with their first release show the same night in their hometown. The following day saw them take the stage at the Sebright Arms in London’s East End in what was an electrifying atmosphere.
The set alternated between songs from their new and previous EPs. Blue Heart Rate, the opening number of the night, is a testament to their adrenaline-charged personality and “battle pop” reputation. With grumbling bass sonorities, driving guitar lines, radiant synths and a marching drum beat forming the robust and intense backdrop, Marsh sets alight her inner predator and delivers a strong vocal performance with burning passion and aggression, enough to blow a gust of wind to the audience that is received with great enthusiasm.
Since leaving her role as backing vocals/bass guitarist of former band The King Blues, Marsh’s musical venture with Lionface has been the perfect platform to dictate and unleash her vocal potentials. After setting the tone with rock-heavy tunes including Living from Battle EP and previous material We Rise and Hunted, Lionface threw a curveball with No Hope State and its haunting ambience intertwined with a dense synth-ballad backdrop. Although the wobbling synth occasionally overwhelmed the mix, the song added a nice variation to the set. Marsh’s majestic voice was put on the spotlight and nailed every note with conviction and passion.
Lionface pushed the gear up a notch as they navigated their way through Eclipse, a menacing gothic anthem with an injection of fast-paced electronica. The determination from every member was unparalleled, but extra credit went to the virtuosic playing and rhythmically relentless drum line from Scott Claessens. If the night wasn’t charged with enough voltage, Lionface struck a sonic thunderbolt on the stage and crowd with a somersaulting chorus that transports the night to stratospheric heights.
The perfect cadence to the night is resolved with Vampire (the song they previewed before releasing Battle EP), and is received with a euphoric reception from the crowd. On reflection, Lionface exerts a liberating force of energy like no one else. With the occasional unstable moments that crept into Marsh’s vocals, the vitality the band brought on the stage was compelling. They are one to look out for people interested in the new generation of alternative pop.
Isaku Takahashi
Photo: Tom Fowler
For further information about Lionface and future events visit here.
Watch the video for Vampire here:
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