Goan Dogs
The Bristol five-piece kicked off their UK tour in rousing fashion at Record Junkee.
Following on from their debut album Call Your Mum, Goan Dogs embark on a UK tour starting in Sheffield.
Opening up the evening with a trimmed back set were The Verdis, consisting of just lead singer Rowan Yaxley for this particular gig. Playing songs off their debut EP Streetlight Fables, Rowan’s voice is soothingly effortless with an element of escapism.
The second support band, Smallprint, also played a stripped-back set. Fresh from their big support slot at Little Man Tate’s gig a few days previously, the band display assurance in abundance. You don’t have to look too far to find their influences, as all members of the quartet ooze an infectious charisma not too dissimilar from Alex Turner. ‘Rosie’ and ‘Leadmill Romance’ will certainly be relatable to many across South Yorkshire, but the stand-out song on the night was ‘I Need You’ - harsher, more direct and as hard-hitting as it is gritty.
The headliners, Goan Dogs, are next up to the stage. After more than a decade in the industry, you can tell they’ve curated a slick live performance. Their tranquil sound is nothing short of gorgeous, with a mix of vivid electronica interlaced with dark synth. ‘I Can’t Sleep’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Fight’ both showcase lead singer Luke St Leger’s hazy yet rich vocals with exquisite harmonies.
'Now or Never’ was also excellent. A song about taking the chances that life presents provides the band with the perfect opportunity to show off their vibrancy, alongside their polished percussion. ‘Passing Through’, the bands 2018 single, is assertive indie-pop at its infectious best. Featuring jangly guitar hooks and jazzy beats, this track is a real earworm.
Having featured on Radio’s 1 ‘Ones To Watch’ list in 2021 and with a bumper UK tour to coincide, you get the feeling that Goan Dogs are gathering momentum at exactly the right time.
