The cosy venue of the O2 Institute Birmingham witnessed a night of raw energy and captivating performances as Canadian rock duo CLEOPATRICK delivered a memorably stellar set, supported by Brighton's PROJECTOR, on a Friday night brimming with infectious vitality and rebellious spirit.
Brighton-based PROJECTOR, formed in 2018, have carved a niche for themselves with their post-punk attitude, blending humility with chaotic stage presence. Their brief but impactful opening set, a testament to their "no f***s given" attitude, served as the perfect appetizer for the headlining act and effectively warming up the crowd. It was a smart move for CLEOPATRICK to bring PROJECTOR on the UK leg of their tour as they set the tone well for a night of unbridled rebellious energy.
PROJECTOR's performance was a whirlwind of punchy angst and punk attitude. They delivered a strong intro, instantly grabbing the audience's attention. ‘Sucking on my own dick’ served as the memorable arc of their set, eliciting both laughter and a surge of rebellious energy from the audience. Additionally, a highlight was their new single ‘The Sham! The Sham! The Sham’ and ‘Tastes Like Sarah’ which effectively showcased the sonic chemistry between lead vocalist Edward Ensbury and bassist Lucy Sheehan, electrifying the venue with pure post-punk electricity. The band firmly put their stamp on the night with the crowd smitten by their short and sweet kick-ass set.
The anticipation reached fever pitch as CLEOPATRICK, featuring Luke Gruntz (vocals, guitar) and Ian Fraser (drums, backing vocals), graced the stage. An excited uproar from the crowd signalled the start of a memorable set. With the backdrop of a blown-up image of their new album ‘FAKE MOON’ featuring a photo of the moon with a circle and arrow provided subtle cosmic energy as the band setup with intense focus whilst the crowd screamed in anticipation.
Opening with the powerful ‘GOOD GRIEF’, CLEOPATRICK immediately ignited the crowd and setting the audience’s energy alight. Following this, a highlight of their set was the crowd favourite ‘HAMMER’, which firmly established a mosh pit that persisted throughout their entire set and raised the united rebellious vibe to the roof.
They then smashed out songs from their new album ‘HEAT DEATH’, ‘PLEASE’ and ‘SARAH’ which maintained the electrified buzz that pulsed through the venue. These were moments when the lighting crew showed off their fantastic syncopation with the music, layering upon the fantastic energy that floated around. At the sets peak, the crowd sung (or screamed?) ‘BAD GUY’ in unison with Luke without missing a beat, a testament to the band's strong connection with their fans and our personal favourite song of the night.
CLEOPATRICK's set was a masterclass in engaging with the audience, with frontman Luke's relaxed and humorous banter adding a personal touch. His anecdote about being told that Birmingham apparently has more canals than Venice was particularly well-received with an uproar of laughter and comments from the audience about the state of the city, which Luke responded with unbelted laughter.
A surprising twist midway through the set saw Luke and Ian switch instruments, with Ian taking on guitar and Luke on drums. This unexpected move led to a hilarious exchange as Luke, feigning incompetence, commented "don't start a drum solo if you don't know how to finish a drum solo", drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.
For their finale, ‘LOVE YOU’, Luke utilized auto-tune effects on his vocals adding a dreamy air to the song whilst showcasing a unique and unexpected vocal range from the singer. The song's slowed-down vibe provided a warm and personal goodbye from the Canadian duo to end their set. Despite the crowd chanting “one more song!”, we knew the band were finished but the energy they left for the audience failed to dissipate – a sign of a fantastic and memorable set.
CLEOPATRICK and PROJECTOR delivered a night of visceral, unadulterated rock energy, leaving the O2 Institute Birmingham buzzing. From PROJECTOR's chaotic post-punk to CLEOPATRICK's powerful performance and engaging stage presence, the night was a testament to the enduring appeal of live rock music. Both bands proved their ability to connect with the audience, creating a sensationally memorable experience in a cosy venue that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Words: Katherine Russel
Photos: Lizzie Jones
Comments