Syd Arthur at The Button Factory – Review & Photos

Syd Arthur played The Button Factory last Saturday, December 13th.

A very laid-back atmosphere welcomed people in The Button Factory last Saturday for Syd Arthur’s gig.

Support on the night came from Tandem Felix and New Secret Weapon, two very good Irish acts that you should definitely catch live soon. Luckily, you have the chance to see them before the year’s over. Tandem Felix will support Spies at The Grand Social this Saturday, while New Secret Weapon will headline The Christmas Office Party at Whelan’s on December 28th.

For those of you who don’t know Syd Arthur, it’s worth mentioning that they formed in Canterbury (UK) in 2003. They have three studio albums under their belt, the latest one, titled “Sound Mirror”, being released in June 2014.

The English four-piece played an enchanting set with complex tunes. Their whole sound is complex, psychedelic, mature and very rewarding. Syd Arthur’s songs were little experiences filled with distorted sounds and effects, without going too far into that area of the spectrum.

The ten years the band performed together have turned them into a well-oiled machine. Without being overly dramatic about it, it’s clear that they all enjoy playing together. It’s a sign of maturity and professionalism when a band makes the performance look so effortless. The truth is they’re all brilliant musicians that complement each other really well. Liam Magill, the band’s frontman, is a gifted vocalist that leaves a mark on you. It’s hard not to recognize his voice after enjoying a tune or two. On top of that, Liam knows his way around a guitar. The way he uses the tremolo arm gives his guitar a distinct psychedelic sound.

Raven Bush (mandolin, violin, keys) seemed to be the musical engine of the band. From the mandolin solos to the fiddle parts (performed while also singing), to the retro synth sounds, Bush nails them all. The band’s signature sound couldn’t be possible without Joel’s bass and Josh’s drums. By the way, Liam, Joel and Josh are brothers.

The laid back atmosphere persisted throughout the set, even though the intensity of the tunes gradually increased. The crowd responded very well to Syd Arthur’s music and danced ’till the end.

The Button Factory show marked the end of Syd Arthur’s mini Irish tour, but hopefully it won’t be too long before they’re back.

Photos by Tudor Marian