“Music from the edges”, the tagline for the Liminal Sound weekend adequately captures the range of talent that was on display
Last weekend, Star and Shadow played host to a diverse set of acts gracing the stages of the volunteer-run community venue in Newcastle’s east end. Since the venue moved here in 2015, the former furniture warehouse, has given local artists the opportunity to showcase their work for the last decade – with this weekend being no exception.
Parastatic
Parasitic, the minds behind Liminal Sounds, open with a dreamy set of numbers that get you lost in the reverb of guitar and psychedelic drum beats that fill the room and then some. A moment for the visuals also, with the sharp lines and concrete textures of brutalist architecture being projected onto the wall, helping set the scene for the entrance of the Valencia-born, Newcastle-based spoken word artist Late girl, who features on the 2025 album Concrete Reborn.
The synths of “Building is a weapon” allow the rhythm section to build and the beat to kick in, Late Girl’s back is to the audience, buildings dancing across the bands’ bodies. The poet’s intensity is astounding, her words are dripping in echoed effects as she shouts with purpose into the crowd. After setting the scene , the ensemble moves into tunes such as “Tear it down” with the sort of riffs that give you that feeling like the world is going to end, but in a good way of course.
The group has clearly taken great care in curating not only their own sound, which is as unique as it is encapsulating, but also with selecting some of the other artists appearing over the weekend.
Fuzz Lightyear
Friday night came to a close with a performance from the Leeds-based band Fuzz Lightyear. Alongside having a brilliant name, the group, signed to nice-swan records, really know how to make their guitars fly through your body, an apt metaphor to be thinking of as they crash into the shouts and noise of their debut single “My Body”.
The speed of the tracks is immense, but it never sounds like they’re rushing, rather that the songs themselves are driving a pace that the audience has to either keep up with, or get left in the dust. The nihilist lyrics and endless movement of lead vocalist Ben Parry can’t help but make you grin with excitement.
The gain gets turned up yet again for the final track of the evening “Visual effect”, part of the band’s debut EP that no doubt helped them become recognized alongside some of Leed’s recent successes such as English Teacher.
While trying to avoid too much hyperbole, this is one of the most exciting acts this reporter has seen in such a small venue in a long time, and any readers who have brains should catch them at any chance they get.
Marginal Gains
To embrace the cliche, Marginal Gains can’t be shoehorned into any genre, but don’t let their unorthodox approach to songwriting and performance put you off, the group are real musicians. After releasing their latest single “Get it” the night prior to this performance, Gains’ are infatuated by their usual energy.
For the unacquainted, frontman Dan gives a set that is part comedic, part theatre, part angry topless geordie ranting after a night out, yet you can’t take your eyes off it. The spectacle of the lyricism on display, observational screams and shouts being complemented by quiet moments where intricate bass-lines from Ashleigh and gentle guitar riffs from Charlotte sit hand-in-hand with joint vocals from both musicians.
Throughout the set, between the crashing drums, Marginal Gain’s frontman takes his time to wander through the crowd, lingering amongst the audience to a point where it feels like he’s a part of it. This decision allows for an intimacy to be developed and a line to be blurred that usually divides the performer and the observer.
Unfortunately we only got one topless tune, but these guys are a band that will certainly be sticking around, with good reason.
Labyrinthine Oceans
The shoegaze revival is in full swing, and nowhere is that more evident than in a set from a band that looks like they were all born with guitars in their hands and pedals at their feet, Labyrinthine Oceans provided the liminal sounds weekend with tracks that left the audience stunned, and my ears ringing with joy.
Formed in 2023, the band’s style reaches into those classic shoegaze tones, but brings a refreshing fervor with it. The latest release, “automata”, begins with a beautiful lick that blends with the vocals of lead singer Julia O’Neill, before careening into the overdriven and reverb heavy chord progressions that you’d expect from this kind of band.
A skill that often goes underappreciated, the group’s look is exceptional, they would not look out of place in any of the tent stages at a summer festival, and here at the Star and Shadow, they fit right into the environment.
The visuals behind the act help you get lost into their heavy layers of effects and their performance leaves with a sort of cathartic discomfort that is undeniably satisfying.
The liminal sounds weekend was a fantastic first edition of the event, highlighting some of the alternative musical talent both the north east and further afield has to offer, we look forward to the next edition of the event and hope to see some of you there!
Umbra Music 