Few bands have prompted such nascent hysteria, global excitement and biblical wordplay as Glasgow's Chvrches.
Despite having only played a handful of Scottish dates and issued a couple of low-key singles since they formed in a basement just over a year ago, the electro-pop trio have signed to EMI, starred in the BBC Sound of 2013 shortlist and been playlisted by Radio 1. Their shows are in such hot demand that this gig sold out in seven minutes.
This may sound like a lightning-quick pop trajectory, but any accusations of hype are hammered by Chvrches's brilliant synth anthems, pyrotechnic live appeal and stellar indie lineage. (The band comprises Iain Cook of Aereogramme/Unwinding Hours, Lauren Mayberry of Blue Sky Archives and The Twilight Sad's Martin Doherty.)
They charged through an elated set that included soaring new Robyn-esque single Recover, the glorious Hacienda-pop of We Sink, and 2012 calling card, Lies, whose awesome, dirgy synth-riffs allied Erasure's dread-chorale The Circus with industrial electro.
Science and Vision kicked off like Donna Summer's I Feel Love, ricocheted with tribal beats and echoed Kate Bush's Hounds of Love. It was stunning. So too was the sight of Mayberry flanked by two male backing-vocalists – a rare stage set-up, and a reminder that there is no place for gender stereotypes or sexist pop conventions in Chvrches, who steadfastly present themselves as a three-strong song-writing unit.
The Mother We Share rang out like a Chvrches manifesto: Pet Shop Boys Heart-era harmonies, a title that nods to The Knife's We Share Our Mother's Health and allusions to the matriarchy – all vented via flawless synth-pop. They're an absolute, euphoric thrill. They will rule the world, of course.
HHHH
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