Dry The River @ Liverpool Kazimier 24/10/12

Dry The River are difficult band to pin down. Despite bearing all the hallmarks of folk (the elemental name, beards, acoustic guitars and even a violinist) the five-piece harbour a background in hardcore and post-punk bands that really comes to fruition in the live show.

As they enter the stage, frontman Peter Liddle stands barefoot, with his long-blonde locks hanging loose, looking almost like a fragile woodland creature. No hint of the absolute overwhelming voice that he is about to unleash. A quiet ripple of guitar opens into 'Shield Your Eyes', a song encased in the biblical and classical language that is all often found often in the band's writing, and when combined with the right amount of heavy guitar and the passion in Peter's vocals it really does create something magic. The band powers through old EP favourite 'New Ceremony' before slowing things down. Stripping back to just an acoustic guitar and a violin, Peter breaks into the heartfelt and fragile 'Bible Belt' wherein he recounts an emotional tale of a family ravaged by alcoholism. This leads straight into most recent single 'No Rest', and as Peter almost screams the final chorus of 'I loved you in the best way possible' the crowd can feel every ounce of passion and heartache.

The band step back from their mics for 'Weights & Measures' which begins a capella before plugging back in mid-way to end in a wild goose bump inducing crescendo, showing their ability to take a song from quiet strings to full blown euphoria in a matter of minutes. The set is brought to a dramatic close with 'Lions Den', a giant wall of sound with passionate shouting vocals and thumping bass that is returned with an equally loud response of cheers and applause from the audience which doesn't end even after the band have exited up the stairs behind them. And just as people think the night is over, the curtains are drawn back and we find the boys sat, dangling their legs above the stage. 'Since you've been so amazing we thought we'd sing you one more from up here if that's alright' bassist Scott Miller announces as they slowly break in to a completely a capella flaws-and-all version of 'Shaker Hymns'. The most magical end to the most magical evening.