Softlad Promotions Presents – The Zangwills, with Special Guests Urbanparcs and The Facades @ EBGBs, Liverpool

Sunday 6th February 2022 

Excited…me?  Much?…understatement!   It’s a Sunday night, it’s freezing – no it’s biting cold and blowing a gale, but who cares about the weather?  Not I! Not tonight! Not when an epic musical cyclone is brewing…in the form of The Zangwills! …and a cyclone of biblical proportions is exactly what they brought!  Okay, I know, I’ve seen this band many (many) times, but it’s safe to say with the Zangwills they bring it every time; you KNOW you’re gonna get one hell of a show, and there’s an extra cherry on top tonight in the form of the support acts!  Two absolute heavyweights in local music are on the lineup – the Façades and Urbanparcs…just wow! Yet again Softlad Promotions have put together one stellar event! It’s surprising how busy these Liverpool streets are considering the dreadful weather, but then that’s this city all over – ever optimistic and ever up for live music.

We’re in the heart of the city tonight – Seel Street in the pretty Georgian district not far from Bold Street, the Rope Walks. This area is a real hub, brimming with nightlife, bars, clubs and eateries, with a real focus on live music and making the most of local talent. It’s known as a real place to go for gigs…EBGBs is our destination, the basement club of Heebie Jeebies nightclub which is one of Liverpool’s better known and iconic clubs. Climbing down steep external steps, down past original railings into the below ground level of this 200 plus year old, stunning building, we find ourselves in quite a crowd. Once inside you really get that underground, historic feel – exposed brickwork, vaulted ceilings, ironwork chandeliers combined with modern neon artworks and very contemporary bar and bathrooms.  It’s a great setting for a live event and is recognised as such, with a whole host of bands and musicians performing regularly.

The Facades_Credit: Warren Millar

First Support  – The Facades

Alannah Webb – vocals and guitar, Evan Armstrong – lead guitar, Sam Bowery – bass guitar, Luke Ashton – drums

I’m happy.  The Façades are another band  I’ve seen on many occasions and always look forward to. This 4 piece, Wigan based band are a real force. Very cool, a mix of indie, grunge, art house and maybe a slight punk edge too.  These guys make a huge impression whenever they play and are known across the northwest. 

With captivating stage presence and very tight performance, it’s quite mesmerising to watch – we’re fascinated!  Very eclectic, a shoe-gazing feel, grunge sadness, even angst at its heart, but with a cheerily sung, ‘don’t mess with me’ attitude running throughout.  Edgy riffs, clever beats and drum intros, hard, crunching bass lines and that ever dreamy, melodic vocal. The feels are nostalgic, hazy summer daydreams…with melancholy verses flowing like some poetic epilogue of a past of being wronged, remembered but with a sweet warning!  It gels together perfectly, all these themes and styles weaving together to create a really original sound.  It’s a sound we can listen to again and again.  It’s fresh but has that fuzzy, echoey dream state to it, it pulls us in, then becomes defined with a real clarity. It’s a swaying crowd, a laid back set, but with an explosion of indie guitar and hard beats coming through – a journey of reminiscence, summer, sweet indie pop, but often with that punk bang. Crowd pleasers like ‘I Might Stay’ and ‘That Letter’ with Alannah (Webb)’s consistent vocals to die for: honey rich, with a lilting tone.  It’s a controlled sound with a seriously banging undercurrent …think post punk meets the Cardigans…with a slight Libertines feel.  It all works perfectly. This is one cool band – perfect set and, as ever, smashed it.  Love this band…thank you the Façades…again!

Set List: I Might Stay.   Don’t Ask.   Better.   In these Woods.   Tell Me.   Blame.   That Letter

Urbanparcs_Credit: Warren Millar

Second Support:  Urbanparcs

Ed  Fisher – vocals, Ben Hawkins  – lead guitar, Sean McLoughlin – rhythm guitar, Adam Steele – bass, Heath Campbell – drums

Yessss!!   I’ve said it before, I’m saying it again – Urbanparcs mania is a thing! and it’s here again tonight. There s always a real buzz whenever Urbanparcs (Ed Fisher) is performing.  Newton-le-Willows based, he brings his own brand of dream pop/ bedroom pop/ indie electro and funk, and it’s not to be missed – a constant on line-ups in the northwest, and deservedly so – with a real retro vibe, 80s being the standout. Electro post punk meets American funk soul, but always with a real contemporary, ‘in the here and now’ stamp –  summer feel, with funky, high vibrational, serotonin fuelled, happy making. The crowd are loving this, but then they always do …a true performer, Ed’s on and off stage, dancing with the crowd, singing in amongst us. High octane, the energy and passion these guys put in is on another level, and it pays. This venue is alive!  The heat level is soaring, the pressure is building, and it’s party time.

With real star quality, Urbanparcs opens his box of musical magic, and we all know about it…and love it! The sounds are sugary, fizzing, pop with a clever indie background but with a theme of funk and soul running, with vast layers and textures. Vocals are smooth and rich, then at times deep and husky.  Synth, electro and looping mix perfectly with shimmering, glittery guitar riffs, extended drum, bass and lead solos are electrifying!  Quirky, kooky, dare I say geeky? (in the ‘cool geek’ sense), a feel of androgyny, almost David Bowie-esque. The ripples of this sound are far reaching.  Another brilliant, high energy, captivating performance.  Urbanparcs is not to be missed…thanks guys ..amazing !!

Setlist: Fire.   Hay fever.   Kool Aid.   Never too much.   Late night drive.   Too much to ask.   Show me love.

The Zanwills_Credit:Warren Millar

Headline:  The Zangwills

Jake Vickers – vocals/guitar, Sam Davies – lead guitar, Ed Dowling – bass, Adam Spence – drums. 

This venue is now wall to wall, solid with people.  The Zangwills always have a huge following, and they’re out in force tonight. You can feel the excitement building. It’s been a brilliant night so far, so it’s magnified the feel good factor, and now we just can’t wait for our headline act tonight…the Zangwills. With quite a back catalogue of bloody good material now, this 4 piece, indie/electro pop, Chester based band bring everything to the table: quirky, different, super stylish, cool!  Original, very clever song styles, all different but still with that (what’s now becoming iconic) Zangwills stamp on it.

Joined on stage tonight by Jess Lees, providing some backing vocals, the guys arrive before us. The crowd completely erupts, surging forward – it’s like the effects normally witnessed at some huge headline band playing a stadium venue. This is exactly the impact the Zangwills have as a band, it genuinely feels like being at something huge. The crowd who follow the Zangwills have got to be one of THE coolest you’re ever likely to be in. The styling, fashion, and inclusivity is very special and I’m sure the guys in the band love it, it’s a great crowd to be a part of. 

Launching into the first song,  ‘Could I,’ it’s like a seismic shift. There is now no space whatsoever in this entire venue, it’s brilliant. The guys sure can play, and play hard. Very clever, witty, and current lyrics, exquisitely complex drum sequences, echoes, reverb, synth, and above all super catchy and anthemic tunes! Lead guitarist Sam (Davies) perfectly executes some positively mind blowing lines and riffs: very intricate, enough intensity to feel it, but still light, jangly and shimmering. Vocals, provided by the legend that can only be Jake Vickers, are atmospheric, depth filled, mesmerising, and perfectly controlled. The gravel in his voice gets the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. As a performer Jake is completely captivating, the stage is his. Looking very dapper in signature wide plaid pants, smart jacket, and Cuban heeled boots, he high kicks, gesticulates, and swings his guitar throughout the set…as a crowd, we can’t get enough!  Powerful, crunching bass lines you feel into your soul add to this musical feast – Ed Dowling is one hell of a bassist! High tempo, indie electro rock, it’s real, it’s loud, it’s happening now!  The stand out song tonight, for me anyway, is 212 – always a firm favourite with any audience ..tonight it’s devoured! Very, very clever lyrics, real offbeat in style, rock, the drumming is from another world. Adam Spence made one huge bang tonight ..Up on his feet throughout, interacting with the crowd, bouncing, smashing the life from his drum kit. It’s during this song that Jake is off stage, in amongst the crowd: he’s on the floor, on his back, writhing, one leg in the air, kicking, beating his chest, whilst singing the whole time, while the band play the crescendo like never before. This is the stuff we came to see, and anyone who’s seen the Zangwills live knows exactly what I’m talking about! It’s why we love this band so much. 

The Zanwills_Credit: Warren Millar

Finishing with fan favourite ‘New Heights’, the humidity levels in here have rocketed. A sea of bobbing heads engulfs us all, swept into the moshpit of musical genius. What a night, what a gig . It’s been a stand out performance as good as any big event I’ve ever been to. This band truly are something else, I’ve no doubt they will be huge…well more huge! Tonight though, it’s fair to say, belonged to superstar drummer extraordinaire, Adam Spence…seriously mate that was one driven, passionate, energetic performance! The power and sheer creative genius you gave to those beats tonight deserves full respect!  I wasn’t surprised to hear cymbals were cracked.

For originality, real musical craftsmanship, full on, no holds barred performance…look no further…

A thoroughly decent bunch of lovely lads…I give you the Zangwills. It’s no secret, I love this band. Thanks, guys, you’re bloody amazing!

SetList: Could I.  Horrors.  Sunlight.  Call.  The Feeling.  Patio. Spielberg.  Inside my Head.  Back Patters.  Lucifer.  212.  Judas on the Dance floor.  Never Look Back.  Lipstick.  New Heights.

Words: Janet Harding

Photography: Warren Millar

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