The first time I saw A Genuine Freakshow play, a few months back, I placed them in the bracket of 'not bad, worth seeing again if they play locally and at a reasonable price.' I found them musically interesting, impressive, even, but found their front man lacked presence, and the lungs to do the material full justice.
Well, here we are and they're playing locally and the door's a mere fiver. They've been on the road for a while now, and tonight is the penultimate night of a fairly lengthy tour. It's clearly done them the world of good: musically, the six-piece are textured, layered and supremely tight, but then they were before. The real change is in Timothy Sutcliffe: yes, he's still got that awkward nerdiness about him, but his vocals are stronger and he appears infinitely more confident.
There's a forced intermission while a broken guitar string is replaced, and Timothy treats us to some banter. It's knowingly geeky, as if he's playing on his image, and he comes across as a likeable chap. After the break, the band launch into 'Our Bodies' with remarkable gusto, and it's powerful stuff.
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Yes, A Genuine Freakshow demonstrate elements of so many of their cited influences, who include Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros and Radiohead, and they are very much in the post-rock mould, but the bottom line is that they're good. They have songs, and they deliver them well, and with conviction. They tease with some lengthy build-ups and drop back before letting go, but when the crescendos do hit, they tower monumentally, soaring strings and guitars held in place by a strong rhythm section. They do also benefit from being well mixed and playing through a big PA at a decent volume, and the crashing end to the set is definitely a triumphant one.
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