Music Review: Dog Is Dead @ The Sugarmill, Hanley

Courtesy of The Sugarmill, Dog Is Dead

Nottingham's finest treated The Sugarmill in Hanley to an unforgettable Friday night. 

Local support from Stoke's Moral Panics provided a comfortable opening set through their self-described mix of odd-pop, rock and electronic.

With intriguing riffs from 'Move My Feet' and strong Alex Turner inspired vocals on penultimate track 'Voids', the trio showed why they are The Sugarmill regulars.

Although they performed a solid set, they never truly delved into the extraordinary.

Fiction's claim to fame through a Ford TV advertisement with 'Big Things' contributed greatly to propelling their career.

The catchy song was the likely highlight of the well-balanced set featuring water coolers, bin lids and a very enthusiastic Danish percussionist.

Changing instruments regularly on stage can be distracting, but the multi-talented members did it skilfully by utilising both lead singers and drummers to feed the growing curiosity of the audience.

The calming arpeggio of closer 'The Apple' ended a surreal yet familiar sound from one of London's rising talents.

Courtesy of The Sugarmill, Fiction

The pleasant indie-pop to follow was well received, and rightly so.

Dog Is Dead justified why they were a 2010 BBC Introducing act at Glastonbury, why they performed their debut single 'Glockenspiel Song' on Skins, and why they have supported folk rockers Bombay Bicycle Club on tour.

'Glockenspiel Song's fitting words for the teenage drama; 'we are a mess, we are failures, and we love it', sum up the carefree attitude the band poured out throughout the night.

'River Jordan' can't help but put a spring in your step as lead Robert Milton tells us rightfully that 'it goes on and on'.

The simplicity of the addictive drum beat and soft background opening guitar riff are crucial before the contrastingly heavy crash down and the light tap of the snare with harmonic vocals.

The upbeat crescendo of 'Young' alerted the alcohol inflicted eyes of the audience to make themselves seen and heard. The band expressed the sweaty folk passion and gorgeous harmonies of Mumford & Sons and vocal familiarities of Noah & The Whale's Charlie Fink, resulting in a highly unexpected yet welcomed stage dive and mosh pit among the crowd.

The Sugarmill played host to a headline act whose exploding jazz-folk-rave will no doubt be bursting their way through as one of the UK's most unique acts.