ATP Release The Bats Liquid Liquid, Polvo & Factory Floor HMV Forum, London 30/10/10
4/5
By: Yousif Nur
[Factory Floor]
Not that we want to accuse this bill of being an under prepared or hastily arranged night of ghoulishness (what with Battles pulling out weeks before tonight), ATP really pulled out the stops by roping in the recently reformed Liquid Liquid.
Up first however were Factory Floor. For those who need an introduction, they're a London three-piece who produce impenetrable and rambunctious white walls of noise via programmed beats and loops with industrial, electro and krautrock undertones. But much like bands like DAF, they're very much a danceable outfit, with those present at the venue this early on for this opening act intrigued and charmed in to moving their bodies accordingly. Some wear ear plugs to save being physically damaged by their piercing songs, which they often stretch longer live than on record by a good ten minutes – each. Lengthy their set maybe, but no-one present wants this to end whatsoever. Factory Floor were exemplary, exceptional and extraordinary. 5/5
[Polvo]
Polvo are another recently reformed band, ploughing a furrow similar to that of a more tuneful Sonic Youth. However, unlike the ever awesome SY, this North Carolina act’s particular dynamic struggles to come across that forcefully, and they even look as if the years away have rusted them a bit. It’s a real shame really for a couple of reasons– most folk around us are itching for Liquid Liquid and paying little attention, but those who are find that the arrangements and muddied sound let down some reasonable songs immeasurably. 2/5
Liquid Liquid, as it is well documented, have lot to be answer for across post-punk, the work of the likes of DFA and even in some hip hop circles ('White Lines' by Grandmaster Flash samples Liquid Liquid’s 1982 song 'Cavern'). But onto tonight – and unlike the previous band Polvo, LL look like they're having fun - and so for that matter do the fans, as the Forum suddenly becomes a veritable dancefloor. They naturally go headstrong into their back catalogue, which one might think wouldn't be much to mine considering they released a very small handful of EP's and one album compilation. But go through them they do, only to see each song met with rapturous glee and splendour, particularly 'Groupmegroup', the aforementioned 'Cavern', and ‘Optimo’, the final song after a second encore, and arguable their signature tune. The band are joyous to an extent that I’m still recovering from it.
Artists in this article: Liquid Liquid, Polvo, Factory Floor
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