Embarking on their first show of their European tour, the Australian five-piece Parcels bring their retro-pop funk to Manchester’s Sound Control.
By Mia Abeyawardene
Having just released their first EP, ‘Hideout’, Parcels may be relatively new but have caught the attention of many music fans across the world.
As Parcels took the stage, the crowd erupted in raucous cheers. The back of the stage was adorned with a large silver sheet of material, reflecting the stage lights and creating a futuristic, intergalactic effect.
Although Sound Control is set to close down next month, with the space being converted into student housing, many turned out to show their support for the bands performing, cheering and dancing throughout.
Over minimal piano and bass chords, a robotic voice recording played through the speakers, pondering philosophical questions about the nature of the universe. The monotone voices on the recording are reminiscent of their producers – the electronic dance duo Daft Punk.
After a gradual build up, they break down in to the funky sing-a-long ‘Myenemy’ and has everyone bouncing on their feet. Patrick Hetherington on keyboards had an expression of ecstasy and exhilaration as the band plays a funk riff familiar to many from ‘Good Times’ by Chic.
Each song seamlessly flowed into the next, creating the feel of a live jam session featuring a triangle, piano slides, synths and a thumping heartbeat drum rhythm.
The disco dance tracks then slowed down for ‘Alie’, opening with a beautifully drawn out harmonisation “oooooooaaahh”. The sweet vocal harmonies and melodies of endearing lyrics had everyone clapping and clicking in time with the band, singing along: “I’ve got something to hold’.
While Jules Crommelin took a moment to tune his guitar, the band closed the show with a new unreleased song called ‘Be Myself’. Rainbow lights flooded the stage as the room was filled with delicate, catchy melodies.
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