Sonic Cathedral

‘S funny, fully-fleshed journeys through sound reduced to nervy clatter and clang, drear-strum meandering and monotone vocalising. Something’s lost in translation tonight: Seventeen Evergreen, San Fran duo expanded for rendering anew, reduced to Standard Indie Band Appreciation. Nothing clever nor catching, attentions checked at the door with no worry of them being stolen away into the chilling night.

Shame, as Life Embarrasses Me On Planet Earth, the band’s debut album, is a little wonder; shimmering tones and thoughtful musing, sci-fi dreaming and rooted professionalism. At a less-than-bustling Luminaire – weird considering the current fuss drummed up for support act Kyte, missed by yours truly unfortunately – the songs of said album find new feet, but their first few steps are shaky to say the least. Part of this apparent nervousness can be attributed to the band’s first-night projections: short films accompany each song, leading to audience members switching gaze from LCD screen to stage and back again, dizzying themselves ‘til a lager stabilises matters. Naked bodies blur into mesmerising pools, gooey and unreal; the detraction is that little focus turns the way of the musicians crafting each soundtrack.

With fuzzy pop arrangements bubbling beneath him, a centre-stage Caleb Pate rifles through he and Nephi Evans’ to-date catalogue to uncover winners amongst weirdoes; ‘Music Is The Wine’, one of the pair’s more traditional offerings (better expressions forsaken), is well received. Indeed, the band are admired by their surrounding onlookers, but not once do they fully capitalise on the quality of their core material. Perhaps this is but a baby step – it’s certainly the first attempt at matching visuals with their musical visions – and better is to follow. With an album like their debut in the canon, Seventeen Evergreen can evolve into an act that truly captivates.

Sadly this evening much of their promise fails to conjure a delivery worth raving about. A pleasant affair though their set is, one to tap a toe and sup a brew to, it’s not quite as sold. ‘Yet’ is a particularly operative word, though.