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London based post-hardcore trio Arcane Roots have sprung out of nowhere to become one of the UK’s most promising new acts, and this gig at Fibbers proves how essential their live shows have already become.
Openers Utoxator are far from essential. With a songwriting template that fails to drastically vary from ‘early Funeral for a Friend with a bit more metal’ mould throughout, the Leeds quartet are decent enough but there is nothing shown during their half hour set that puts them apart from the pack. Norwegian loons 22 have been supporting across the whole of Arcane Root’s UK tour and put on an excellent display. With glow in the dark face paint pouring from their brows as bassist and guitarist race around the tiny stage like Jack Russells on steroids, this quartet have a sound that is all Mars Volta prog sounding one moment and actually rather poppy the next. Apparently they are rather big in their home country and with performances like this they will only be getting bigger here in the UK as well.
When Arcane Roots do take to the stage it is with the clear intention of rocking out, big time. Creating an unholy amount of noise for just three people, and with frontman Andrew Groves proving an immensely capable guitarist, opening track “In This Town of Such Weather” is an anthem ready made for all those who miss At the Drive-In and wish Glassjaw would tour more often. Clearly enjoying their time on stage, despite the odd problem (such as a broken guitar string here or there), Groves good humouredly rebukes a fan who requests their recent “Smells like Teen Spirit” in favour of playing some unreleased tunes from their debut full-length album. If tracks like “Rouen” and “Million Dollar Question” from mini-album “Left Fire” are anything to go by in the live context, that record should be one to look out for.
An exhilarating live act then, with some killer anthems as well, even if the vocals are largely rendered inaudible due to the sound mix at times. A slower track in the middle of the set may well have improved the balance of their forty-five odd minutes on stage but with the pure excitement of the tracks they do play, that would be a somewhat churlish comment to make. Arcane Roots are on their way to making a well-deserved name for themselves.
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