Marmozets @ The Institute Library, 28th February 2015
Tonight in the Institute Library, Birmingham Marmozets proved that every column inch, every minute of airplay, every like and share that have been dedicated to them over the recent past are absolutely deserved. There is no hype surrounding Marmozets, they’re the real deal.
For their headline tour Marmozets have been accompanied by Thought Forms and Belgian post-sludgers Steak Number Eight. Unfortunately I arrived late at the sold out Institute Library but just in time to catch Steak Number Eight finishing up their set, and the noise they were producing was immense. Their last couple of epic length tracks appeared to leave the guitarist/vocalist Brent Vanneste and the entire band completely spent. I’ll definitely be getting down earlier the next time I see these guys in a support slot.
There was no doubting though why everyone was here tonight. As anticipation grew the crowd packed towards the barrier; a musical intro and accompanying pulsing stage lights prompted chants of “Mar-mo-zets” to welcome them onto the stage.
Diving straight into the instantly recognizable riff and then drum fill of Move, Shake, Hide the crowd exploded, jumping and screaming back lyrics as Becca MacIntyre leaned over the pit to beckon them to give more. The set rolled right into Is It Horrible, then a brief pause to say hello to the crowd, before springing straight back into the staccato opening to Weird And Wonderful, barely giving their fans a second to catch their breath.
The energy and passion this band has comes across in spades on their debut record The Weird And Wonderful Marmozets, but it pales in comparison to the experience of seeing them live. All too often we’re subjected to young bands blandly reciting material that has been manufactured for them, but with Marmozets is more like five young performers having the time of their lives while projectile vomiting their souls all over their enraptured fans. It isn’t just passion and energy at the expense of musicianship though; they reproduce their recorded sound brilliantly in the live environment, including all of the complex time signature changes and polyrhythms that feel like a delightful itch inside your head.
For me, the highlight of the evening came about half way through the set with the breath-taking rendition of Captivate You, the entire room following Becca’s delicate vocal in unison was an amazing experience and seemed to produce a reaction of genuine appreciation from the band. After the so far unreleased Broken Reflection, the heavy picked back up again with Particle. Becca demonstrating perfectly her juxtaposition of melody and barely contained maniacal screams while her convulsive dancing transfixed your gaze.
Interactions with the crowd were limited, but what there was seemed very genuine. The other bands on the bill were thanked and we were told that this was the last date of their current UK headline tour but not to worry, as they’d be back very soon. After just a couple of days rest they head out to the U.S. with the likes of Wild Thorne, The Used and Every Time I Die.
They closed with Why Do You Hate Me? the crowd reaction and the number of surfers nearly overwhelmed the security team, there being a queue in the pit at one stage to get back into the crowd.
I started out by saying that Marmozets deserve all of the attention they are getting at the moment and I stand by that, this evening’s performance only demonstrated further that they are a young band just starting to hit their stride and with their current trajectory only further world domination awaits.
Review & Photographs: Steve Kilmister
Setlist:
Move, Shake, Hide
Is It Horrible
Weird And Wonderful
Love You Good
Captivate You
Broken Reflection
Particle
Hit The Wave
Born Young And Free
Vibetech
Back To You
Why Do You Hate Me?