poppedmusic

Otherkin

Buyers Club, Liverpool, 6th October 2017

Words & Photos: Elena Katrina

In an unexpected turn of events I found myself of a Friday night with not just one but two gigs to go to. Luckily for me the gods of timings and venue locations were on my side (as were the promoters, who just let me swan in and out) and so before heading over to the brilliant line up of The Big Moon show, I got to nip in and watch Otherkin smash the hell out of their set at Buyers Club, which they did as part of their UK tour supporting Inheaven.

As first on (this won’t be something you’ll be seeing from them for all that much longer, I can tell you), Otherkin’s set was reasonable of length and they crowd built and built and everyone seemed to be fully getting on board. The previous Friday the band had released their debut album, OK, so before I knew I was able to go, I was fuming to miss this show. It was a delight then to hear them pick through not just their great singles, such as the feverish Ay Ay (my first love of Otherkin came from my first listen of this song)  but for me to sing along with album tracks too. In fact I got to sing along to the entire set – and there’s not much I enjoy more than a good sing along – I’m fast making myself a name as the singing photographer I think).

I recently played Otherkin on my radio show and urged people to get out to see them play because they are one of the strongest live bands I’ve seen over the last 18 months. They treat every show as THE best and the last show they’re going to play. I’ve never seen them give less than 100%, never seen them play and not get out into the crowd, no matter how big or small. This show this early Friday evening was no different; singer Luke clocked a fan down the front and made sure to give him loads of attention, he also took off from the stage to rally the troupes  – because let us be honest here – who doesn’t love it when a member of a band gets out into the crowd?

Otherkin have perfected their live performance; they’re tight, they’re fun, they’re fresh and they’re energised and as I mentioned before – they don’t wait for the crowds to come to them, they take it to the crowds. Other favourites of mine for this particular set included Treat Me So Bad, recent single Come On, Hello and album track Enabler. The band’s live sound is raw and visceral and is made for huge stages and enormous speaker stacks… so watch this space (and them!)