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Tuesday 7 March 2017

Gig Review: Pinegrove @ The Haunt – 02/03/17


Since signing to Run for Cover records in late 2015, Pinegrove have achieved critical acclaim through their audiotree online session, released their second album ‘Cardinal’ and headed over shores to the UK and Europe for the first time. Soon after finishing up their debut UK tour they were quick to announce their return in February of this year. Last Thursday night saw Pinegrove performing their last show of their UK run before heading out to finish up the tour in Europe, a sold at show at The Haunt in Brighton.

Opening the night was Hannah Read of art rock band Lomelda. Read delivered a solo set of songs from the band’s back-catalogue. With haunting vocals accompanied by intricate electric guitar melodies Read gave a brilliant performance that set the tone for the rest of the evening. With the venue filling up during her performance, more and more audience members edged towards the front and it was clear she had well-deservedly gained some new fans.

With only a two-band line-up Pinegrove took to the stage next to a very enthusiastic reception. Their set-list seemed to be balanced perfectly with material both old and new. Whether the fans were only familiar with new album ‘Cardinal’ or their entire discography, there was something for everyone over the course of the evening.

The audience’s enthusiasm appeared to double upon hearing the beginning of tracks ‘Size of the Moon’, ‘The Metronome’ and old favourite ‘Angelina’, that was actually requested numerous times throughout the night, the band delivered each and every song with flawless execution and gave back as much enthusiasm as they were receiving from the crowd. 

The set also left room for some new material with the band performing a live debut of new track ‘Rings’, without being informed that it was a live debut I doubt the audience would have guessed by the confidence in the performance. There’s something about Pinegrove’s music that has such a sense of nostalgia even the songs you have yet to hear have a great sense of familiarity to them.

Vocalist, Evan Stephens Hall, delivered a standalone performance of another new track and then mentioned that they would be recording their new album this coming summer. Hall’s speeches throughout the night were as much of a highlight as the bands performance. With one of the most impactful moments of the evening being, after talking about the current state of the world, finishing by exclaiming that ‘These songs are about being respectful to one another and learning how to treat people better’

The band ended the set with ‘Cardinal’ closer ‘New Friends’ before coming back onstage to bring the night to a close with a brilliant encore of ‘Need 2’. Judging by the reaction they received it’s clear that fans are already eagerly awaiting their next UK tour. 

Pinegrove currently have a reissue of their compilation 'Everything So Far' up for pre-order at http://pinegroveuk.limitedrun.com/products/584558-everything-so-far-preorder

Keep up with the band on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Pinegroveband/

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