Gengahr's reputation for their brand of melodic indie pop has grown steadily since the first online releases of their tracks to BBC Introducing, including the brilliant 'Bathed In Light'. The short time since their formation has seen them gain established fans such as Superfood, as well as consistent radio play from Huw Stephens and Radio 6 and an arena tour with Alt-J, performing at the O2 Arena.
So a visit to The Waiting Room, an 80-capacity basement venue in Stoke Newington on a Sunday night, could be seen as a change of pace for the London four-piece. But speaking to members of the band in the venue's smoking area, their comments describing the gig as 'the scariest yet' show that Gengahr remain grounded before their second ever headline show. Their live performance comes as a shock to the average Gengahr fan - anticipating soothing guitar layers beneath an echo-soaked vocal delivery. As they blast through unheard tracks from their forthcoming debut LP, it's clear that those preconceptions can be forgotten. While guitarist John Victor powers vigorously through the set, credit is due to frontman Felix Bushe, whose vocal remains eerie and powerful.
A highlight was the awesome 'Fill My Gums With Blood', an early single that took pride of penultimate place in all its understated glory, behind the equally brilliant 'Powder'. With a support slot announced for The Strokes at Hyde Park this summer and a debut album to be released in June, fans of atmospheric synth-tinged indie are urged to catch this spectacle before it inevitably hits the larger venues later this year. Gengahr next play at the Boston Arms in London on March 26th.
RIFFED's Rating: 9/10
Listen to Gengahr with 'Powder' via YouTube: