North London’s The Utopiates were second on the bill for the Shiiine On Summer Party at 229 this past Saturday. After wowing fans and critics alike with their EP ‘Anywhere But Here’, could they deliver on the big stage?
Despite technical issues, they grooved their way to the hearts and minds of the Shiiine On faithful. Former single, ‘Only Human’ lit up the room like a bush fire. Josh Redding’s guitars spiralled with such intensity alongside Dan Popplewell’s vocals to conjure, the embers are still burning bright five days on.
On ‘Antidote’, they found unity and power demands the UK’s attention, immediately. It soared above the clouds but crucially, always felt within reach. This kind of songwriting combined with this magical delivery will take them to the main stages of festivals and, thousand along to see them.
This is not a one-man band by any means but, at times Redding’s guitars drew the focus like no other of recent times. On ‘Anywhere But Here’ Popplewell’s acoustic guitar and Ed Godshaw’s keys laid the groundwork for his Squire-esque majesty.
In ‘Love Salvation’ they have set closer for life. Anthemic and euphoric, it had that mid-paced beauty that pulled a group of strangers together as one. Tripping along like Primal Scream, swaggering like Mondays, they’ve tapped into a golden age of love-seekers and found a way to make it sound fresh.
A truly astonishing performance from a band only formed in lockdown. It’s easy to see why The Pigeon Detectives have added them as support at the Forum this autumn.
*Image courtesy of Shiiine On legend Louise Deveraux