SYFTA

at EBGBs

Liverpool 

19th May 2023

Back in the City of Sound to a well-loved venue and treasure of the live music scene: EBGBs, a basement venue full of character and brilliant to experience both ‘up close to the band’ feels and the crowd experience too. A gig here comes alive. It’s one of my favourite places, and somewhere I’ve discovered so many ‘new favourite’ bands. Tonight’s headline I already know and love, from nearby Widnes it’s SYFTA, pretty well known on the local live music circuit – indie rock with a refined but cool sound.  Support tonight is another favourite of mine from Runcorn, The Seminals – now these guys really bring the wilds! Then there’s The Lazy Sundaze, who I’ve yet to see, and an acoustic set from Paul Higgins (another I’ve not seen) so it’s to be a night of discovery as well as revisiting favourites! What could be more perfect?

(Paul Higgins_Credit: Orange Projects)

First Support: Paul Higgins 

First up tonight is an acoustic set from Paul Higgins. With a mix of well-known covers and an original track, it’s a vibrant start to the proceedings. Very likeable and from the off Paul seems well suited to this stage, confidently strumming his electric guitar. The crowd readily join in and sing along throughout this set. Real 90s Manchester vibes in the content; vocal is very smooth and steady and high notes are reached and held easily (‘Laid’ by James is no easy song to sing). ‘Life’s a bitch’ is the original track performed tonight; this has a totally different feel, real 60s and Mersey beat feels here. A well-performed set and the interaction between songs is friendly and genuine. The perfect warm-up went down brilliantly with the crowd. Good energy and real retro vibes, excellent opener.

Setlist: Married with Children (Oasis), Sally Cinnamon (Stone Roses), Sit Down (James), Life’s a Bitch (Original), Mardi Bum (Arctic Monkeys), Whistle for the Choir (The Fratelli), Someday (Strokes), Ob La Di (The Beatles), Laid (James).

Second Support: The Seminals 

In a blaze of screaming guitars, drum beats like machine gun fire, and one utter explosion of sound, the Seminals spontaneously combust on stage in front of us. Boy. do we know when we’re at a Seminals gig and, boy, don’t we bloody love it? These Runcorn guys just create their own brand of wilds at every gig. Careering sounds, loud, banging and alive – as is our crowd now! Sound-wise it’s such an eclectic mix, I get the feels of the Stone Roses, Reef, and Limp Biscuit  – so many influences but all completely of their own style. Frontman Bobby is fascinating to watch and this entire band fill any stage with their presence – a spectacular punk feeling, swagger-filled performance, it’s the catalyst that sets the atmosphere alight within our venue. Vocals range from low and growling to smooth even and steady, then raspy and punk cries; the sound is polished and well-finished, beats are complex, bass lines soar and guitar riffs hook us.  A smoking performance, as ever, guys!

Set List: All of you, State of Mind,  Some Seeds,  King of Nothing,  Eric Clapdragon,  Alice.

Third Suooprt: The Lazy Sundaze 

This is a band I’ve not yet seen and as this 5 piece begins to play I’m instantly a fan. Real retro feels with this – 80s, slight electro, but with a real jangly guitar feel.  I’m reminded of the Cure straight away. The bass lines are funky and rich and this entire sound wraps itself around us and is captivating. Very, very atmospheric, multi-dimensional, textured, layered and very accomplished. It’s quite phenomenal, and we just can’t keep still. Cymbals shimmer, drum beats cascade, and the male lead vocal is intense with a real throatiness, complemented superbly by the female backing vocal, giving an eerie and spine-tingling feel, adding to that rich atmosphere created. The instrumentals are amazing – there’s a really bouncy feel to this sound. real earworm tracks, upbeat but with an unusual twist, that undertone of eeriness – think the Cult, even the Mission, especially the guitars. Brilliant set, I will definitely be looking out for the Lazy Sundaze again soon. Completely blown away by this! Loved it!

Set List: The Lazy Sundaze, Blackout, Rhythm of your High, Real Life Shattering, The Fight, Anymore, Devil Sits on My Shoulder, Careless.

(Syfta_Credit: Orange Projects)

Headline: SYFTA 

Tonight’s headline is Widnes’s own SYFTA.  This is one band that commands with some force as, in completely epic style, SYFTA explode into their set. A waterfall of cymbals and crashing guitars, the bass drum kicks in and we are off, spectacularly. The vocal is clear, well controlled and even; we get carried away on the crest of the wave of indie sounds. SYFTA have arrived and are filling our venue with ferocious sounds, masses of energy and feels that quite honestly feel stadium worthy. This is anthemic – huge, real guitar-driven stuff, loud, raw and forceful, but performed exceptionally. There’s a Kasabian-like feel, but also early Arctic Monkeys or the Reytons, yet fresh and original and of its own kind, a real, powerful energy behind it. Our band, it’s clear to see, have so much passion and are driven, not still for a second, all members darting about and giving it their all… fast-paced, mesmerising. 

As a frontman Harry holds our attention, kicking, leaping, and cavorting with other band members; Jack and Oliver swing guitars and throw them about. Harry is often climbing up onto the bass drum and then diving off it spectacularly whilst Alex beats the living daylights from his drum kit. The energy and sound both come in abundance, parallel to none. The crowd chant back the words to each song and are bouncing, a vivid moshpit has now formed and has filled the standing space. The powerful musical force that this band produce is completely contagious and we can’t help but get swept up into it. As for sound, it’s edgy yet refined, raw yet well finished; guitars swagger and bass lines fuzz as beats fire down upon us and the steady vocal ties it all together. The heat level is soaring and it’s wild throughout.

(Syfta_Credit: Orange Projects)

Then all too soon our set finishes…after cries for more and chants of  “up the Syf”  from the crowd our headline re-enters the stage for one phenomenal encore. The real wow performance tonight, I’m totally blown away by this, although I’d expect nothing less from SYFTA.  This band just never fails to bring it big time, every time. Nothing more to be said other than “up the fucking Syf’”. Thanks, guys!  

Set List: Gold Dust, Nightshift, Gamble, Bitter Daydreamer, Watching You, Flight, Headlights, The Hurt, Last Night, No Sleep, Leave on Time, Breathe.

 Review by Janet Harding

Photography byOrange Projects