Purity Ring commanded the stage in the first of their UK dates last night in Brighton, with their dreamy, synthy pop and Megan James’ fierce vocals layering flawlessly over Corin Roddick’s beats. Despite the heartbreaking lack of songs played from their first album, Shrines, the gig was almost impossible to criticize.
The crowd were mellow, but no-one minded if you chose to dance (needless to say I did) and attempt – painstakingly – to harmonize with the band. However when Purity Ring came on, amidst a stage get-up resembling a forest of fairy lights and a fake moon hung up on the wall which silhouetted James beautifully, they were received with screams and cheers from everyone. They played classics like ‘Fineshrine’ and ‘Obedear’ which had the audience losing themselves in the ethereal sounds and irresistibly catchy beats.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqw4wo8vdY8&w=740&h=422]
Newer songs such as ‘sea castle’ from their album Another Eternity, when heard live, create the kind of atmosphere to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and send a shiver up your spine. The crowd moved their way accordingly through these eerier songs, and bumped n’ grinded even more appropriately throughout songs like ‘bodyache’ and ‘dust hymn’. Purity Ring, to the crowd’s surprise, came across as incredibly humble and sweet people, and front-woman James took absolute control of the stage; it’s never a bad thing to see an empowering female vocalist in a catsuit, is it?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbqcXnTt-7o&w=740&h=422]
Sadly their set only lasted about an hour, but the feeling of exhaustion descending on the audience from all the strobe lights and dancing meant we were all more than ready to congregate by the cloakroom and gush about how amazing Purity Ring are/were/will be forever. Their ability to create music that attracts such a diverse crowd, who all happened to be lovely people is something to be in awe of, and listening to James pour her heart into lyrics reminiscent of what could only be described as poetry (disturbing yet beautiful) left me dumbfounded and only a tiny bit jealous. It was the kind of gig you’ll replay in your head every time you listen to Purity Ring again.
Words by Bethy Lees