The Wicked Whispers / DUSST: The Buyers Club
This was the Wicked Whispers‘ first hometown gig in two years to support their excellent latest single release “If I Set You Free / Zodiac Girl”. They, and the main support from DUSST, did nothing on the night to detract from the air of excitement and anticipation.
In DUSST, we have a band whose tonight’s short set only served to add to the general buzz that surrounds them at the moment. Borne to be on stage together, this quartet powered through their set displaying their musical craftsmanship. Obvious highlights were the new single to come – “Happiness is on the Horizon” – a track with dual vocals that enhance their laid back West coast feel, and the set closer, the mighty “Somehow”. DUSST are definitely a band to keep an eye on for the future, and it’s going to be interesting to observe their development.
The Wicked Whispers took to the stage, and, despite a brief hiatus due to an amp blowing, delivered their set to their appreciative audience with swaggering élan. Michael Murphy urged the audience forward towards the stage, in order to make communion with The Wicked Whispers psych pop easier. Confident and musically tight – the rhythm section of Toby Virgo and Nathan Sayer acting as the anchor to Murphy’s soring melodies, they delivered amongst a sparkling set “Amanda lavender”, “Dandelion Eyes”, and “Zodiac Girl”. The current single, A-side “If I Set You Free” was served mid-set, and sounded just as good as the well- produced recorded version. In fact it is a corker of a tune, echoing in the conscious long after the final note is played.
All in all it was an excellent night at The Buyers Club. It demonstrated that Liverpool music is both healthy and progressive, and we can look forward to these two bands – and others –to continue to contribute to this vibrant scene in such an exciting and creative way.
Steve Kinrade
