Liines: Boston Music Rooms, London

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

Liines - Blackout

Just as Savages cement themselves as the best female-fronted band around, Manchester three-piece Liines come surging along to threaten their reign.

'Blackout' opens with an assault of drums and a great guitar hook reminiscent of their aforementioned peers. The difference between the two comes with the directness of the track. Whereas Savages might look for alternative routes to the conclusion, Blackout seems hell-bent on getting there as quickly as possible.

The riff is like an aggressive post-punk version of the many catchy pop hooks of Franz Ferdinand. Couple this with Zoe McVeigh's violent and destructive vocals and alternative DJs have a go-to record to liven up indie crowds on Friday nights.