Maybeshewill, w/ Bossk, and Lys Morke – LIVE
Maybeshewill, Bossk, Lys Morke
Gorilla, Manchester
17/05/2024
Live Review by Oli Gonzalez
So, what is Post-Rock? A question you could ask 100 musos and you could get 100 different answers. Answers that range from a detailed 15 minute uninterrupted monologue, or a simple shrug followed by ‘I dunno’. On this rather warm spring evening in central Manchester, Maybeshewill and Bossk were riding into the city on a highly anticipated tour of the UK, two bands who have forged a legacy for being seminal acts within the genre, whilst being joined by up and coming artist Lys Morke. On a personal level, this was a chance to relive some of the magic I experienced at Damnation a few months previously.
A new venue for me and one that appears to have undergone a makeover of sorts. First impressions; this place is clearly designed for live music! Both from an auditory and visual perspective. Thank god for the air conditioning too or this would have been a sweaty affair indeed! Given that it’s based a stone’s throw away from Manchester Oxford Road train station, this makes it very accessible for those travelling in. We arrived just as Lys Morke was beginning her set…
Lys Morke
Have you seen an artist that makes you want to take a more serious and deeper look into their genre? Those were my thoughts during this opening act! See, I’ve never really understood the appeal of Electronic music. However, there was so much to admire here! Rather than just a trio pushing a few buttons on sample pads, this was much more complex and an impressive display of artistic expression. Speaking of artistic expression, the visual aspect of this performance was absolutely stunning! Whether it was the custom video on the backdrop or captivating light display, this enhanced the performance tenfold. All of which was designed by the vocalist herself! A vocalist was a petite and softly spoken woman from Barcelona, but had the most incredibly haunting and powerful ethereal voice that sent shivers down my spine at one point!
Yes, I’m definitely going to keep a more open mind to this genre, especially when I visit ArcTanGent this summer.
https://www.instagram.com/lysmorke
Bossk
“This is going to be loud” I thought, especially upon seeing the wall of amplifiers crowding the stage. Good job I had my ear plugs! I was surely going to need them. Bossk were by far the heavier act of the evening, leaning towards the Drone and Doom edge of the Post-Metal spectrum, and have carved a furious reputation as one of the leading lights of the UK’s Post-Metal scene. The set began with a guest keyboard solo from Maybeshewill’s Matthew Daly. Aesthetically pleasing and gentle, this was going to be in direct juxtaposition to the rest of the set! The rest of the set was an assault on the ear drums and senses! That wall of amplifiers pushed some serious air, shaking the drinks in your hand whilst casually rearranging your internal organs. They charged through a set list from their impressive discography, including seminal work “Audio Noir”. Visually, the band took full advantage of the tools available to them to create a fully immersive and cinematic experience. Bossk continue to push the boundaries of preconceived notions of what Metal is and what can be achieved. If you’ve never seen them live, make sure you do! You won’t regret it.
https://www.facebook.com/bosskonline
Maybeshewill
The final act took to the stage. An act who have toured all over the world and have been described as one of the finest Post-Rock bands on the planet! It’s easy to see why. Much like Bossk, they dug deep into their back catalogue for hits such as ‘He Films The Clouds’, ‘Not For Want Of Trying’, and my personal favourite ‘In Amber’ (I may have squealed a little bit in excitement upon hearing the first few notes of this song!). The band simply do not stand still on stage and their energy is infectious, as is their passion for their craft. The dynamics of the set shifted effortlessly from melodic and aesthetically pleasing through to bone crushingly heavy and atmospheric. Yes, I never thought I would be describing Maybeshewill as heavy. But then again, I didn’t expect to have my senses pulverised repeatedly by wall after wall of engrossing and immersive sound. This is not a complaint, no way. It was wonderful and I want to experience this again!
https://www.facebook.com/mybshwll
So, what is Post-Rock? Listen to these 3 acts and you’ll have a much better idea. You’ll enjoy the journey too.
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
