Clean Cut Kid @ Liverpool Music Week, 29 Oct
Clean Cut's performance at the Arts Club demonstrates that there's much more to come from these fast-rising local heroes
18-year-old Liam Brown wields an electric guitar and gathers assistance from electronic beats in order to metamorphosize into his alias L U M E N, and his jangles and looped rhythms bring 80s vibes and a buzz of excitement to the room. Following this are Man & the Echo, whose post-punk influenced songs are in keeping with the retro feel, although the four-piece's soulful, almost disco keyboard sequences are a little bit lost on a stiff, regimented audience.
In contrast, garage-y surf pop outfit Zuzu play a short but oh-so-sweet set of dreamy, fuzzy songs with fun, relatable lyrics – and melodies that will stay with you for hours.
Headliners Clean Cut Kid literally bounce onto the stage with happiness and enthusiasm – it's obvious that they’re genuinely happy to be there, and why wouldn’t they be? As a racous greeting from their hometown audience shows, there’s nothing but warmth and admiration for the melodic five-piece. Gathering himself after laughing in sheer delight, singer Mike Halls voices how good it is for the band to be back on home turf, and the happiest bassist in the world beams a smile as he recognises friends in the capacity crowd and waves with excitement.
Starting with last year's single Runaway, Clean Cut Kid’s upbeat pop sound electrifies the room, with their quick, sharp melodies accompanied by intermittent 'HEY!'s that raise both mood and energy levels until they match those of the animated musicians onstage. For a band who are yet to release their debut album, the singalong factor at this sold-out gig is a sure sign that this last whirlwind year for Clean Cut Kid is only the beginning. The finale of their radio hit Vitamin C puts the icing on the cake at a well-received homecoming gig.