Tonight’s venue is the Aloft Liverpool hotel, newly converted from its 1904 Royal Insurance beginnings. Having recently teamed up with Liverpool buzz band, 'All We Are', for a month-long residency called the Spotlight Series, there was a tangeable sense of good things to come.
The grand wooden ex-boardroom was dimly lit with red up-lights creating impressive psychedelic effects as they twisted and turned on the ceiling. Without any fanfare Brazillian guitarist, Luís Santos, took to the stage and was subsequently joined by bassist Guro Gikling originally from Norway and drummer/percussiomnist Rich O'Flynn, from Ireland before the trio started to dispense their own concoction of rythmical vibes for the soul.
‘I Wear You’ poured nectar-like from the speakers and All We Are got into their stride, all pitching in on the bright choral “ooh ooh ooh!” vocals.
Each member seems to enter their ‘own place’ on stage, with Rich standing up on drum/percussion kit finding multi-layered beats and patterns as Guru’s bass pushes the beat forwards, at times reminiscent of dreamy French music duo Air.
A well-worked rendition of Caribou’s ‘I Can’t Do Without You’ gets the audience vote and fits perfectly into their set as the gathered few nod and sway in time.
'All We Are' seem to be just that, there is no stand out member and no pieces of individual brilliance but the combined effect of their carefully crafted songs produces something quite extraordinary.
The music is atmospheric, enchanting and hypnotic all at the same time and it’s easy to drift off in your own thoughts as you let the combination of beats and high-pitched vocals slowly wash over you.
All We Are do state that they want to leave the world a better place (check out our exclusive interview below) and I have to admit to feeling as if the 40 min set has gone some way to cleansing my mind ever-so-slightly from the everyday stresses and strains of life.
‘Keep Me Alive’ was the gentle crescendo to finish and we left refreshed for a couple more cocktails downstairs. Another quick chat with the band, who are never far away from a Tiger beer, confirmed that they were pleased with the night’s proceedings and we all left with a sense of well-being.
Currently nominated for a GIT Award All We Are hover on the edge of well-deserved mainstream glory, catch them on their UK tour in March.
Set list
Intro I wear You Feel Safe Ebb/Flow Stone Utmost Good Cant Do Without You Honey Something About You Keep Me Alive
Check out the Music-News.com exclusive band interview just prior to the gig below.
All We Are teamed up with Aloft Liverpool as part of the Live at Aloft Hotels – Spotlight Series. For more information, visit aloftspotlightseries.com/liverpool
All We Are Guro Gikling - Bass Rich O'Flynn - Drums Luís Santos - Guitar
