Live Review: No Play Presents Blanket At The Kazimier Stockroom

The Kazimier Stockroom is a small venue. It’s tucked away on Seel Street as part of the Kazimier Garden. Tonight this tiny venue was packed out with fans eager to hear some live music. This evening’s showcase, held by No Play, has something for everyone. From shoegaze to metal; the bases are covered. The main attraction tonight is Blanket, with support from Rozemary, The Throwaway Scene and Split Chain. 

Rozemary are first on, bringing with them a powerful punch of Merseyside metal. Playing a set of own-material, Rozemary kick things off with a bang. Musically they could be compared to Dying Wish or Spiritbox, but here they are; their own entity. One thing that stands out from the rest of the bands tonight is Rozemary’s vocalist, Izabel, with her crisp clean vocals and powerful screams. From start to finish, the band show confidence and a love for the music they play. Rozemary play a tight set with a great reaction from the crowd, whose attention is held until the very last note.

Next up; a Manchester-based four piece, The Throwaway Scene. The band hit the stage to a crowd who are clearly unsure of what to expect but very quickly warm up to an energetic performance. Bathed in an red hue, the band power through their first few songs before vocalist, Oliver Hame, takes his performance from the stage and into the crowd. The songs are powerful and packed with emotion which can be heard through Hame’s vocals. With a sound similar to Creeper, this band are definitely one to watch and are clearly not strangers to putting on a show. You can find The Throwaway Scene on Spotify and check out their high powered live performance in Sheffield on the 24th February or Manchester on the 12 April.

For the penultimate band of the night, from the South West, we have Split Chain. The lights drop and the stage is filled with a blue haze as distorted guitars ring out. One song in and the band call the crowd to the front of the room; they want to see some movement and the message is well received. As the set progresses, the floor descends into chaos as bodies throw themselves into one another and the occasional hardcore dancer moves across the room. ‘Someone in this room said they’d crowd surf tonight! Get on up here!’ Cheers vocalist, Bert Martinez, to which a member of the crowd responds by climbing up onto the stage.

Though the room is not yet filled, the rest of the crowd move forward ready to make the catch our first crowd surfer of the evening. Split Chain make their way through a grunge and nu-metal infused setlist with ease, making for an exciting and energetic set. Split Chain have recently released a new song, ‘Fade’; you can check this out on Spotify, or catch the band live in London later this month.

Tonight’s headliner from Blackpool; Blanket, live up to their name-sake as they wrap the crowd up in a captivating musical experience. Backlights fill the stage with a warming glow as the band start to kick things off with their latest single ‘Porcelain’; a song filled with distorted guitars and sweeping synthesisers; paying a subtle nod toward the alt-metal band Deftones.

Throughout the set it is clear that Blanket have found a sound they like and worked hard on to create music that sounds good on record but hits new heights when played live. As euphoric guitars swirl, the crowd watches on, absorbing the sounds and performance in front of them.

Mid-way through the set there is a technical difficulty involving a blown amp. This is quickly resolved by support act The Throwaway Scene. After a brief break, the band start up again and the music continues. With a vibrant show and a unique sound Blanket are band well worth your time.

You can find Blanket on Spotify, their new album ‘Ceremonia’ releases on the 22 March and you can catch the band live a day later playing an album release show in Blackpool. 

Will Robinson