Live Review: Marsicans // The Platform, Lincoln – 02.03.17

As part of their current UK tour Marsicans last night took to the stage at The Platform, an intimate venue in the heart of Lincoln’s Student Union. Supporting the Leeds indie-pop outfit were local bands The Ultraviolet and Albany. Marsicans, who have made it to Spotify’s The Indie List, and been featured on YouTube alternative music channel The Hyve, are creating huge waves within the indie circle right now. Their performance at The Platform had been eagerly anticipated, and even more so since the release of their current single ‘Friends’.

Opening the show were The Ultraviolet – they lived up to quotes describing them as ‘the liveliest band you will ever see’. The four-piece’s dynamism spilt out onto the stage with them mixing alternative rock with pulsating punk pop riffs to great effect. Following from The Ultraviolet were Albany, who performed with a slight Britpop-esque style and swagger. Albany is certainly bringing the best of the 90s back into their music.

Marsicans marked their arrival with strobe lighting flashing eclectically, bold colours, and synths that defined the band’s set, and their 40-minute showcase was a gripping encounter. Their take on indie-pop beats proved infectious, and clearly unable to resist, the crowd were dancing all night long. The set also had its endearing softer moments. About halfway through the set, Marsicans sang delicate lullaby ‘Freya’, which was dedicated to lead singer James’ niece, and was one of the most well-received moments out of their performance.

James was faultless on vocals, and could still hit all his notes effortlessly – despite his unconfined energy which saw itself manifested into jumping endlessly around the stage. The instrumental side of the performance was just as strong as the vocals, with Oli on guitar, Rob on both the bass and keyboard and Cale on drums creating a vivacious sound which matched the strength of the live vocals.

Marsicans have been performing together for many years, since 2014 in their current quartet form, and subsequently have amassed a moderately-sized, but growing fan base. Their loyal fans showed up in droves to their concert, and The Platform was full of people singing along to the band’s songs off their first album The Absence, including ‘Swimming’, and ‘Far Away – Saudade’. The largest reaction of the night by a mile was when Marsicans played ‘Friends’; an insanely catchy song with witty lyrics and ear worm hooks, describing the all too common feeling of losing touch with friends as growing up becomes inevitable. The track this week has been publically supported by BBC Introducing’s Huw Stephens, and this may have been a factor in drawing in the huge crowd to the show; the song ignited an upbeat carnival atmosphere in the venue. With one final song played after a heavily requested encore from the crowd, Marsicans rounded off another fabulous night’s entertainment at Lincoln’s Plugged event.