Manchester’s Night & Day Café plays host to London formed, Berlin based duo The KVB this evening for what is set to be a feast for the senses.
Firstly, local solo artist TVAM warms up the crowd with his kooky ensemble consisting of one man, a guitar and a TV screen. Having gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months, he attracts attention not only due to the uniqueness of his approach, but the quality of the music he is producing. The set starts with a couple of new tracks which set the mood, before ‘Porsche Majeure’ with its haunting synth melody and 80s lacing invokes all the right vibes. ‘Gas & Air’ and ‘Total Immersion’ are the strongest tracks and the busy room lap them up. Having been underestimated by some, TVAM has gone down a storm here this evening and has thoroughly entertained.
The KVB formed in 2010 and have blended reverb soaked shoegaze with minimalist electronic production ever since. This UK tour is in honour of their latest release, Fixation, which came out on Invada Records in May. Playing an extensive set which spans their back catalogue, highlights include ‘White Walls’ from Fixation, with its catchy synth and guitar riffs, ‘Lower Depths’ and ‘In Deep’ from 2016 LP Of Desire and ‘Mirror Being’ from the 2015 release of the same name.
‘Hands’ from 2012 release Always Then offers hazy guitar, electronic reverberation and delayed vocals which showcases exactly what has made this band so popular despite the passage of time. The set is over all too soon for the dancing crowd, but all is not lost as the duo return for a two song encore, rounding off with their version of The Rolling Stones classic ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ which has become as imbedded with their sound as is possible. The hazy reverb and haunting vocals resonate beautifully in the tightly packed venue and they are cheered rapturously off stage to conclude.
The KVB have a sound that traverses a number of genres, ensuring their appeal is universal. Based on the reception they have received tonight, it seems unlikely that that is going to change anytime soon.
