Days after performing Primavera Sound in Barcelona (QRO recap) and Sasquatch! in Washington State (QRO recap), British buzz band Peace descended on Portland, OR on May 28th. Curiosity seekers came out to the cozy Mississippi Studios to see what all the fuss was about from the U.K. press. In fact, the BBC has nominated Peace for the ‘Sound of 2013’ poll. They became the buzz of the U.K. last year with their debut EP, Delicious. With their updated Madchester sound, two tracks (“California Daze” and “Bloodshake”) were named NME’s “Top 50 Songs of 2012.” Now they were touring in support of their full-length debut In Love, which came out in March.
They kicked of their set with In Love’s opening track “Higher Than The Sun” and it felt like they were still playing stadiums. Though attendance was easily under 25, Peace never let on that they were a bit disappointed. It just seemed the hype from across the pond had only made its way to a few lucky Portlanders. Harry Koisser (vocals, guitar) had some positive banter with attendees before breaking into “Follow Baby”, which sounds like it could be a b-side from Blur’s debut album. The rhythm section of Samuel Koisser (bass) and Dominic Boyce (drums) pound out a nice baggy beat, but they are no Madchester revisionists. They are putting their own twist on this, while guitarist Douglas Castle added his own John Squire-esque riffs.
Current single “Wraith” got a proper blow out before they kicked into “1998”, a ten minute epic cover of Binary Finary’s trance classic. Their nice, tidy tracks are great but this burner was the highlight of the night. Peace ended the night with “California Daze” and “Bloodshake”, their two NME ‘Top 50 Songs of 2012’. If their set was any indication, their next performance in Portland should be better attended. Peace are worthy of the U.K. buzz and should be getting some elsewhere soon.
Set list
Higher Than The Sun
Follow Baby
Wraith
1998
Toxic
Lovesick
California Daze
Bloodshake
