Korova, the hang out for those who are too cool for school has moved to a new home, ironically, closer to Liverpool's student population in the old Roadkill venue on Hope St. The smell of fresh paint filled the newly opened venue and there appeared to be a steady stream of custom both in the main bar area and in the intimate live venue downstairs. Korova is renowned for a music policy that is eclectic but with a lean towards an electronic sound, so tonight's headliners Delphic fit that billing perfectly.
Entering to an orgy of bright white, green and blue strobe lights, the Manchester trio launched straight into their set of well crafted pop songs, fused over layers of electronica. With influences drifting from New Order through to Underworld, the band's style keeps the crowd interested and heads nodding in approval, although tonight's small crowd restrained themselves from jumping about too much. Highlights of the set were previous singles "this momentary" a track that would make Bernie and Hooky proud and the lucious "counterpoint" which sums up what the band is all about in a 6 minute masterpiece.
Although picked out as a band to watch by the Guardian back in OCT 2008, Delphic's musical direction will make it difficult to crossover into the mainstream, similar to US indie dance act Animal Collective who receive critcal acclaim without embracing the chart listings. Some of the band's more banging tracks lose the less than hardcore of clubber among the crowd and that is where Delphic will struggle if they hope to ever headline larger venues than this.
Following a summer of festival appearances and support slots with Friendly Fires and Orbital, the Delphic journey continues with a mini tour of Japan with Bloc Party before climaxing with a hometown appearance supporting Doves at Manchester Central on Dec 18
NEWS UPDATE: Delphic have been booked to perform on Later... with Jools Holland next week. Check the band out for yourself as they peform one track on Tuesday 10th's live show and two tracks for the extended show on Fri Nov 13
www.liverpool-live.info