2014 was the year of Chvrches, 2015 is the year of Prides. Chvrches rose from supporting the likes of Two Door Cinema Club and Depeche Mode, while making a deep impression on the American music scene whom have taken a serious admiration to the Scottish trio. Prides played at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony and have played with Blink-182, while headlining the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Festival along with dipping their toes into America. Who knows what the next year brings for Prides?
All we know so far is the hard-hitting melodies and emphatic live performances are just a minuscule yet pivotal part in Prides’ impressive musicianship.
Selling out three medium-sized Scottish venues without releasing an album is already an incredible feat in itself. Liquid Room is rammed with all ages, the noise mostly drowned out by young teenagers who have followed the band around incessantly for the last two years. The Prides logo and LED lights set the stage with a simple set-up for the band to energetically throw themselves around like rag dolls.
The songs are played with effortless precision – almost like the recording is stuck on the PA and the band aren’t played. But they are playing, and doing it well. From the opener ‘I Should Know You Better’ all the way to an hour later when ‘Messiah’ closes the show, encouraging comments fill the venue of how much an impact the band have made on an Edinburgh crowd.
On top of the six songs that are currently accessible to everyone, Prides also included some of their newer songs that will be included on their upcoming debut album – due out around Summer – which also received some enthusiastic feedback. The band also used their profound production skills to place a mixtape into their set. Stewart Brock said before that the last time they played it, it sounded horrendous but were going to give it a try anyway. The mix took a rollercoaster ride from Sam Smith to Catfish & the Bottlemen, and Iggy Azalea to The 1975.
The polite and exciting trio used the hour slot they had at Liquid Room to prove they are to be a massive deal in pop music.
As long as they follow the route of Chvrches, nothing can stop them.
Freelance and student journalist currently educated at Edinburgh Napier University.
