Music > Live Reviews
The Neutrinos & Birds of Hell
Norwich Arts Centre
14/12/19
The Neutrinos played their first ever gig in the now-defunct Fat Pauly’s in 1998 – and have been bravely pioneering their art-rock sound and unique live experience ever since. Fellow musician Peter Murdoch’s Birds Of Hell, originally conceived as an acoustic solo project, are playing tonight as a full band. Whilst both acts have 20 years of experience under their collective belts, tonight is a fresh opportunity for them to continue pushing sonic boundaries, promoting their new singles.
The night begins with a set which is atmospheric, energetic and surprising – an apt description of Birds Of Hell’s electronic, guitar driven and sometimes comedic catalogue. Quirky stage outfits seem to be a penchant of theirs, as although the set starts with several band members wearing matching shirts, it later evolves into striped sweatbands with Murdoch relating some of the many reasons – such as terrible hangovers – we tend to avoid strenuous exercise (or anything that could be construed as sport), whilst ferociously pumping his arms in a red tracksuit. A fine example of their genre blending ability is the performance of new single ‘Do I Get to Ride on a Unicorn?’ The original track features Murdoch’s mother singing, but this time Neutrinos’ frontwoman Karen Reilly provides the vocals, as well as two tambourines.
The Neutrinos have performed everywhere from animal hospitals to a sold-out residency at London’s Royal Festival Hall, and played in complete darkness at The Sainsbury Centre. Having previously described Norwich Arts Centre to Outline as a “home away from home”, tonight they are on familiar ground for their ever unfamiliar show. They open with the smallest of sounds: a slow and steady bassline from Jon Baker; the ringing of a Bakelite phone on one side of the stage; and the band move as little as possible. Karen remains stationary as the song builds up and then back down again; lulling the audience into a false sense of security before letting loose with a wall of sound. It’s difficult to place them in any one genre – they remain constantly fluid, moving from electronic to funk and back again, full-fledged rock to quiet, softly sung vocals.
Whilst it’s clear they are all accomplished musicians, it’s Karen who commands the audience’s attention, whether in a literal sense – throwing metal plates and cups into the crowd because they “make a great noise” and asking them to throw them back before the song ends – or just by allowing herself space to breathe after the end of a particularly energetic song. In contrast to the polarity of the rest of their set, and after repaying the favour by inviting Birds Of Hell on stage, their closing song is calm, retrospective and a little melancholy – with only Karen’s vocals and some isolated piano notes from Baker.
Throughout the night, the mutual respect between the two bands becomes clear when they share the stage, feeding off each other’s energy and championing each other’s work. I went into this show with open eyes and ears and left feeling inspired, impressed and a little confused – but in the best way. One thing is for certain: a Neutrinos show is never what you expect it to be – and the only way to discover that is to go and experience it for yourself.
