It’s difficult when listening to Gengahr to not feel some kind of magical tranquillity. Lead singer Felix Bushe’s unique vocals are even more extraordinary live and although there isn’t too much interaction between the band and the crowd, it’s obvious that they’re very grateful to those who have come to see them at the Portland Arms.
The London four-piece waste no time on stage after support bands Pumarosa and Cash and David have ended their sets, before plunging straight into first track from their debut album A Dream Outside, ‘Dizzy Ghosts’. It doesn’t take the crowd long at all to start the wavy motion which bobs along with single ‘Heroine’, followed by others from the album such as ‘Fill My Gums With Blood’ and ‘Powder’.
Unlike some other bands after as successful debut album, Gengahr have certainly not let it go to their heads and continue to thank the crowd for coming out to support them. Whether it’s the intimacy of the venue or simply their warm smiles and humbleness, they have a way of making the crowd feel more like friends than fans. By the middle of their set they have the audience thoroughly snuggled in the palms of their hands as they begin one of their earliest released singles, ‘Bathed in Light’.
With a soft pink tint on the evening, the band float through the last few songs. Almost the whole audience has involuntarily managed to replicate Felix’s flowing moves throughout the gig as it seems there’s not much you can do to resist the infectious spread of sways, dips and head nods. As this particular venue doesn’t cater very well for orderly stage exits and reappearances, the band stay on before the encore and through this short time reply to friendly heckles of such classics as, “play Wonderwall!” And, before briefly thanking the smiling crowd once again, drift into ‘She’s a Witch’, to the audience’s absolute delight.
Words by Jane Taylor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHTLykxtwdc
Listening to Gengahr recorded on the album and hearing them live are two rather different experiences. Whilst they maintain their ethereal and dreamy vibes, you never feel as if you could fall asleep watching them. They draw your attention to the subtle power in their songs and keep you in right to the very end until you’re left mystified as to where the time went, and they leave the stage.
On this, their first headline tour, Gengahr have already played their sold out shows at London’s Scala and Bristol Exchange, moving on to Manchester Deaf Institute before beginning a huge European tour. For more dates and tickets:
http://www.gengahr.com/tour/
Words by Jane Taylor