Loud Liars LIVE in Birmingham
Written by Rosie Rivers on April 12, 2024
Loud Liars, The White Lakes, and A Week Full Of Mondays LIVE at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham.
Nestled against the thrumming backdrop of Birmingham City Centre, The Sunflower Lounge is tucked away just a one minutes walk from Birmingham New Street Station. It’s unassuming exterior upholds a façade for a buzzing nightlife venue, cosy indoor atmosphere, friendly staff, and, most importantly, the intimate, grassroots concert venue downstairs. It was on a mild Thursday that I ventured into the city to catch British rock band Loud Liars at the opening night to their three-date UK tour.
Having stumbled across Loud Liars two months ago on TikTok, I was immediately drawn in to their music which is reminiscent of the emo and pop-punk music I spent my formative years listening to during the 2010’s. Particularly, the vocals are a nostalgic throwback to the golden era of emo and pop-punk, which Loud Liars market as a combination between Fall Out Boy and Bring Me The Horizon. Their music transports listeners to back to the 2000’s when heartbreak and rebellion were the anthems of youth. Yet, despite the echoes of the past, Loud Liars inject a fresh energy into their sound, blending elements of modern indie rock with the timeless angst of emo.
Their debut single, ‘Taking Control’, has been a huge hit, racking up over 100,000 streams on Spotify in just seven months since it’s release. Driven by a pulsating rhythm section and blistering guitar riffs, the song propels forward with an unstoppable momentum, mirroring the sense of urgency and determination conveyed in the lyrics. As the streaming numbers continue to climb and the fanbase grows ever larger, it’s clear that Loud Liars have struck a chord with audiences around the world.
The first support band of the night was West-Midlands based alternative rock band A Week Full Of Mondays, kicking off the evening with heavy pounding drums, intricate guitar shredding and powerful vocals. A Week Full Of Mondays were impressive sonically, demonstrating expert instrumentalism and outstanding vocal technique, however there was something about their animation on stage that night that was lacking.
For well established fans of their music this was a perfect listening experience, however the visual energy did not do them justice, perhaps leaving some of the more hyped audience members wanting more. I anticipate great things from A Week Full Of Mondays, and will keep them on the radar for their promising future.
The second band on the bill, The White Lakes, deserve more praise than my vocabulary can offer; as an unexpected highlight of the evening, I was blown away by their passion for performing and quality of sound. Frontman, Matt Ellacott, dripped an immense amount of suave confidence, commanding the room with a presence so alluring it gripped the attention of each and every audience member.
Their sound, a fusion of indie rock with hints of raw emotion, resonated deeply with the audience. It was evident that The White Lakes poured their hearts and souls into every note, creating a sonic landscape that was both captivating and immersive. As the night wore on, the intensity only seemed to escalate, building to a crescendo that left everyone in the room buzzing with excitement.
Image by @photographsbyniks
The White Lakes will be performing at Camden Assembly, LONDON on Saturday 20th of April 2024. Tickets available here.
The Sunflower Lounge buzzed with anticipation before Loud Liars kicked off their set, a mix of released and unreleased songs as well as a cover of ‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ that was rather underappreciated by the crowd. I had no doubt they would be incredible and they certainly lived up to my expectations. The comedic banter and rapport between each member on stage set a friendly and relaxed tone for the gig, building a meaningful connection with their audience. By demonstrating an impressive plethora of vocal techniques, ranging from a familiar pop-punk tone to heavier, guttural, and head-banging screams, Loud Liars transcended from anything I had expected from their recordings. I anticipate with future single releases we hear more of their diverse vocals and are welcomed with with a more experimental sound.
Whilst it is true that Loud Liars are a band evocative of the likes of early-2000’s emo icons Fall Out Boy, I found that their live performance leaned into the heavier elements of rock music. With the alternative scene still rattled by the news of You Me At Six’s split, it’s comforting to know that up-and-coming bands, such as the three I enjoyed that night, will keep the sound alive. Their show offered greater depth into their distinctive individual styles, showcasing a sound that can only be defined as unmistakably ‘Loud Liars’, unparalleled by any other bands of today.
In a world where authenticity is often hard to come by, Loud Liars stand out as a beacon of sincerity, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones we tell through music. As I eagerly await their next release, I know that their music will continue to be a soundtrack to my life in the future.
Loud Liars have two more dates left on their UK tour:
12/04/2024 – The Royal Park, LEEDS
13/04/2024 – The Garage (Attic Bar), GLASGOW
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