Deerhunter have well and truly hit cult status. They are constantly being credited as an influence and their fans verge on the hard-core side of things. Formed in 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia by Bradford Cox and Moses Achuleta, Deerhunter have created seven fantastic albums with eleven past and present members who have contributed to a sound that cannot be pigeonholed. Combining aspects of noise rock, garage rock, shoegaze, post-punk, lo-fi indie and dream pop into a sound they have described as “ambient punk”. The band now consists of Bradford Cox (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Moses Archuleta (drums), Lockett Pundt (guitar, vocals) and Josh McKay (bass) who are touring their most recent album, Fading Frontier, which has been touted as “one of their most palatable” albums yet and could open the door to mainstream success (if they haven’t already achieved this). Fortunately for us Brightonians, they began their tour at the wondrous All Saints Church in Hove which some would say could not be a better setting for the band.

With the magnificent church filling, the gloriously lit chantry created this ever more tranquil yet exciting atmosphere which perfectly suited support band Atlas Sound. Bradford’s solo moniker is a bedroom introvert’s symphony, armed only with a guitar, keyboards, synths, pads, his voice and a wide range of effects. The huge nave would swell with swirling reverb and looping ambient madness – deep whines, bouncing drones and futuristic thuds gathered pace before delicately slowing to a composed calmness. Spacy cathartic sounds propelled by heavy bass notes and gentile samples engrossed the ethereal amphitheatre, setting the scene nicely for the main feature.

Without pause, the rest of Deerhunter came on stage midway through an Atlas Sound song and started playing ‘Desire Lines’. A strong song to start with, however, as soon as it had finished a cry calls, “the sound is shit” – a bold move from the audience member, although not far off the truth. Bradford has got a reputation for calling out hecklers, having once done an hour long rendition for a joke request of ‘My Sharona’, but this time he collectedly replied “We are not Gregorian Monks, we are a punk band! It might not sound like the record, but it’s a unique sound – and only you will hear it”. Their guitar-driven sound echoed up into the raptures creating what can only be described as a mess. Fortunately for me standing right next to the stage, my earbuds somewhat helped to keep the rampant reverb at bay.

Once you had half acclimatised to the sound, you could take positives from the set. There was no doubt about the appeal a Deerhunter song, as each tune was exquisitely put together and always retained an air of positivity which was difficult not to get completely absorbed in. Nevertheless, it was hard to ignore everyone’s irritation at what could have been. For the final two songs I made my way towards the back of the church taking my earbuds out and frankly it was horrific. Discontent was monumental, with fans failing to even applaud. Once the final song finished, an immediate exodus full of dissatisfied faces made a hasty exit for what was an almighty disappointment. I can only say – please judge them on another concert as this was definitely a blip in Deerhunter’s usually brilliant live shows.
Iain Lauder