To my shame I hadn’t yet caught one of our top touted local Huddersfield based bands, Long Island so when I spotted they were supporting Sheffield’s intriguing Life Aquatic Band at the town’s Northern Quarter, I was in.

Long Island are excellent at what they do, bouncing accessible pop, but with a rare quality added with some of the best live vocals (courtesy of Rhiannon), I’ve heard in quite a while.

Rhiannon has a voice with a lovely tone which reminded me in places a little of Ellie from Wolf Alice, perhaps with some of the accessible but other worldly range in Bjork and the strong boppy accessibility of someone like Nina (she of the 99 Red Balloons).   Behind those vocals I found powerful recorded backing, but also some complex guitar work and a solid new bassist and strong beats to back it all up.

The logo image of Long Island was in evidence tonight; a couple of neon Island themed lamps (including a palm tree) were effective and cheaply efficient. I always admire creativity when it comes to help build a strong image. The band by their own admission feel they are not strong with social media so that extra imagery must assist.

Likewise, the band’s material tonight proved to be a good mix of new songs and some of the older ones too. It’s always good to hear that a band is always shuffling and mixing up their set – it gives a good impression of a band going places and one still in growth.

Lead vocalist Rhiannon was a strong and engaging performer and her drama drew the eye in. The venue was not full but she got everyone engaged with the songs and the singalong choruses. There’s big news for Long Island in that they play Sheffield Rock and Roll Circus at the end of the summer.

Life Aquatic Band from Sheffield were tonight’s main turn and they most certainly did not disappoint. Their latest album Free Summer evokes the likes of Woodstock and the late 60’s. The album perhaps gave me a greater hint of a 1960’s bossa nova, soft jazz influenced sound than was evident with the band live. As is often the way, bands bare their teeth on stage.

As it was, I closed my eyes (a bit of a precarious act given the multi levels of Huddersfield’s Northern Quarter) and drank in musical roots which echoed through time; from Love, to the Yardbirds, to ABBA (and a playful cover). Perhaps it was just the parts I focussed on in this full and varied sounding band, but to me it felt as though the band rarely moved their musical sensibilities beyond 1966.

The result felt pure and wholesome. Full, packed with musical quality and also bursting with future promise.

The mix of male-female vocals also worked its magic, and there was a strong harmony and love in the room. Folk who like the Magic Numbers and Wakey heroes Mi Mye will appreciate that genuine care and humanity, and the blend of music and observation (such as overpriced breakfast places!).

Life Aquatic band’s first album was a concept album about hunting Paul McCartney who with his band has been on the run since 1973. Clearly a band not shy to carry a concept to its max, nor to stifle their creativity. So as well as the sound I describe, expect some jazzy curveballs too.

Life Aquatic are a quality mix of tight fresh music and a splash of quirk. Their time on stage passed quickly and fully engaged the audience.

* words and images by tiggerligger