The Wave Pictures could be one of those bands that you have let slip through your musical radar. They are prolific with their releases, having made 14 studio albums since 1998 when the band formed. Not only has the most recent album (Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon released 13th February 2015) been getting top reviews, being touted as an early contender for a Mercury Prize by Marc Riley, it is also co-written and produced by the legendary British artist Billy Childish. Originally from Wymeswold, Leicestershire, the band now are based in London generating alternative rock that verges on lo-fi with deeply innocent and allusive lyrics. David Tattersall (guitar & lead vocals), Franic Rozycki (Bass guitar) and Jonny Helm (drums) play a full and accomplished sound and are renowned for their live performances.
 
It is always great when you get the feeling that you are in for a treat straight from the first chord played. The only support of the night, The Creaking Chair, did just that and it never let up. This solo project by local musician Andrew AC Cooper, part of the Bouffant Collective, produces a psychedelic folk that drifts into 70s rock and prog at times with influences of electronica. Their sound sucks you into a whirling drift of eloquent lyrics and otherworldly melodies. Andrew voice is strong and his acoustic guitar playing with a psychedelic sweep atop is glorious – hints of Jeff Buckley came to mind. The rest of the band were just as good. A song called ‘Pieceworker’ really stuck in mind, being little different to the rest of the set and featured some awesome electric guitar playing. I’m sure the audience would have been more than happy to hear at least another half hour of The Creaking Chair unique sound, as for me their brilliant performance did not satisfy only because of its brevity.
 
The Wave Pictures came on stage and went straight into ‘Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon’, the opening song off the album. It was as if the band had raised their game after hear The Creaking Chair’s set, as it was a powerful start to their show. Bizarrely, a beer was chucked at David which shocked the audience and caught the frontman off guard, saying that in all their time they have never had that happen. They continued to play two more songs off the latest album, showcasing to those who didn’t already know what they are about. David’s guitar playing in these opening numbers was immense – so good that he broke a string mid solo, not that you would have known. Not the easiest start of the show for him but he carried on the show unfazed, playing first as 5 string electric and then as a 4 string when another broke.
 
They switch from up beat guitar shredding tunes to more down beat melodies where the focus was on the brilliant lyrics. The band very much have their own sound, but then mix it with influences form britpop, punk, blues, swamp, R&B and indie throughout their catalogue. The three piece really put on an amazing show full of solos from each member. Their relaxed, charming and unassuming personalities came through in their music and was a big hit with the crowd throughout, as they jested and chatted between songs. There was a powerful moment when mid-way through a track they simultaneously paused for a second or so, letting complete silence burst through the noise. This had a profound effect, taking the crowds admiration up to 11. A highpoint of the show was when Jonny came to the forefront to sing ‘Now You Are Pregnant’. Franic and David played some muted fingerpicking with Jonny singing powerfully and passionately away from the microphone, only to go back to highlight certain lyrics.
 
If you see them advertised playing at your local venue, get yourself a ticket as they nearly always sell out quickly. They only seem to play intimate venues which makes their performance all the better. It is not surprising that David has been labelled by a number of people as one of the greatest guitar players of this age. They are truly a great live band, which I’m sure will be fully appreciated in years to come.
Iain Lauder