LIVE REVIEW: The Guru Guru @ Exchange, Bristol
Given its location just twelve miles from the city centre, the link between ArcTanGent and Bristol will always be strong – the former’s sister festival, 2000trees, is only an hour away as well. As such, when bands that fall comfortably into the vibes of either event play one of Bristol’s venues, such as THE GURU GURU, the atmosphere is always bouncy and in full party mode; tonight, The Exchange is no different. Sure, the weather is getting ever chillier and the nights are drawing in earlier, but when this sort of lineup rolls into town, even a cold spell doesn’t last long.
Said cold spell is instantly melted when MY OCTOPUS MIND take to the stage. A local three-piece playing an experimental mix of indie, punk and post rock, they are the epitome of a ‘Bristol band’ with their bohemian dress style and off-piste musical talents. The use of a double bass instead of a traditional guitar is inspired as well; although one would certainly see it as a novelty initially, there’s something about the tone of the string instrument that a guitar simply cannot match, and the groove it instils throughout the band’s set is sizeable. There’s a sound wobble here and there, which is down to the venue opposed to the members on stage, and the vibe from the audience is strong for an opening band. News fans made? You bet!
Rating: 7/10
When it comes to Bristol bands who fit the ArcTanGent/2000trees ideology, though, look no further than THE ST. PIERRE SNAKE INVASION. The band have been an underground institution in the city for years and whenever they play a hometown show, there’s no shortage of fun. This evening sees them more raucous and confrontational than ever, from the moment they kick into The Safety Word Is Oklahoma through to closing track Misery, a brand new track from their upcoming third album in October 2022. The other new song to be aired is The Overlook and both fit neatly alongside the rest of the band’s tracks which, when you consider the likes of Braindead and The Idiot’s Guide to Music were sandwiched between them, is high praise indeed. The triple-guitar attack at points is just as deadly, especially when the room is as fervent for them as one can imagine, and by the time they leave, it’s definitely a question of ‘What band could follow this, and if yes, who?’
Rating: 8/10
THE GURU GURU are one such band and whilst the room in front of them is smaller is size than their touring buddies, the vibe is just as massive. In fact, considering that things appeared to be on the up and up on a wider scale (this was pre-Omicron), just being in a sweaty room, gathered with like-minded individuals, leaving your worries and strife at home and having the loveliest of times will never be taken for granted again. That excitement combines with the Belgian outfit’s post-rock bounce to light up The Exchange in a way it hasn’t for a long time. Vocalist Tom Adriaenssens, pyjama-clad and front and centre at all times, is incredibly engaging; leading his bandmates through a myriad of tracks from both studio LP’s and three of the four from EP It’s a (Doggy Dog) World, you cannot take your eyes off him at all.
Considering they only had a new record out at the beginning of last year, half the set is taken from Point Fingers, with Skidoo and Origamiwise particular highlights. However, debut record PCHEW isn’t about to sit back either; the opening bassline to We Had Been Drinkin’ Bad Stuff is monolithic tonight, particularly when combined with the lighting set up that allow for both confrontation and mystery, a juxtaposition that only serves to enhance the quirks and curiosities that make up THE GURU GURU, a patchwork quilt of intricacy and panache that have made them a beloved outfit with a seriously hardcore following. By the time they close with a boisterous SYQ Kumshod, there’s no doubt that, for all they’ve been brilliant, live music is the winner by a country mile.
Rating: 8/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Normandy Photography here:
