Music

Review: Australian band Parcels perform a funk-filled set at Sound Control

0 255
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.

About the author / 

Mia Abeyawardene

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Is This Thing On? @ Contact Theatre review – raw, outstanding and heartwarming

    Featured image: Aaron Shaw ‘Is This Thing On?’ is a unique debut show, a product of the creative collaboration between Ellie Campbell, Megan Keaveney (MissMatch), and the So La Flair theatre company. Following its debut appearance at Contact Theatre, the show promises to be a memorable experience for those attending the tour across Wigan, Leeds,…

  • Album review: Seagoth – How to Stay Wide Awake

    Featured image: Seagoth “This album is dedicated to all of the people who can’t take a day off from themselves, to the people who have to face their greatest fears every single day – and to all the pain we feel, may we heal”. – Seagoth on How to Stay Wide Awake. While studying music…

  • Is This Thing On: Feminist theatre with a twist comes to Contact

    Featured image: So La Flair Theatre Ellie Campbell and Megan Keaveney graduated last year from Manchester Theatre School. The pair met at a house party in their first year, where Ellie was standing on a table singing her heart out to Florence and the Machine. Megan locked eyes with her and knew they would be…