Manchester's Liines embarked on their co-headline tour with Bis last week at Boston Music Rooms. After critical acclaimed for their debut album 'Stop-Start' and a plum support slot with Sleaford Mods, was this their time to shine?
It was their longest set to date, it didn’t bother them. Such is the defiance of their punk rock, even the unheard material was met with glee. The dank 'Find Something' throbbed with danger at every turn. Its indomitable groove has a raw sexual energy that threatens to overspill into something violent.
Tamsin Middleton's bass playing on 'Shallow' was an exemplary display of how destruction and angst can be joyous and life-altering. Middleton's hip rolling swagger is hypnotic throughout, none more prevalent on the disco-punk of 'Disappear'.
It was on 'Disappear' where dreams of bigger things for Liines emerged. The hook of Leila O'Sullivan's drumming, combined with the power of Zoe McVeigh's vocals all come together in a moment of outcast bliss.
This was again echoed on modern alt-classic 'Blackout' and the banger 'Never There'. The intensity remains, the hooks filter through, and you left with thoughts of, 'do we have another PJ Harvey on our hands?'
Did they announce themselves as future festival headliners? No, probably not. They proved the co-headline slot was more than warranted. Expect mainstage festival bookings galore next summer!
*Image courtesy of Olivia O’Sullivan
