Movements are a band that’s been firmly accepted into the mainstream pop punk and new emo circles.
Regularly popping up in playlists and virtual radio stations based upon the big boys and girls of the scene, they’re making a big name for themselves. The thing is… the algorithms and artificial intelligence has done them over a bit. Their number one streamed song (by about twice the number 2 slot) is ‘Daylily’ which is a solid indie rock number that summons all the feels of campfires on Californian beaches.
Thing is… that’s their softest, most ballad-like song. In reality, Movements are sharp, emo rock that lives in the same neighbourhood as Heart Attack Man, Spanish Love Songs, and Hot Mulligan. Tonight we’re going to find out if anyone has turned up on the basis of Daylily and whether or not they get a shock.
Webbed Wing open the show and I seem to be in some sort of time warp. What I’m seeing is some (very good) ’90s grunge with tiny suggestions of more modern American indie rock. The grunge is the big sound here though, and by God it’s strong. Think ‘Bleach’-era Nirvana trying to be Screaming Trees while they’ve been told to be more like Weezer. Big distorted bass and almost whiny vocals over open chords. The occasional lead guitar bit to spice things up, but the magic of this band is in the rhythm.
With this kind of music comes a less than energetic audience interaction between songs. Lots of chat about smoking weed and you can tell this is a pastime from our frontman who talks as if his words are trying to push through a pool of treacle before they hit us. For what it is, though… it’s good. You cant really dance to it, but it feels good to headbang away.
The main support Softcult is a lot more gentle on the ears. A dreamy indie rock that pulls from the softer Pixies stuff and weaves in plenty of Shoegaze. Again, this isn’t music to start a circle pit to… but it is the kind of music that you tune into and can’t help but groove along to.
Twins Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-horn have some stunning harmonies that sit beautifully in the mix and are capable of being powerful without having to scream or be overbearing. All of the hazy guitars and lush vocals sit on a bedrock of strong bass and solid drums which keep the rock in this music.
We’re treated to a dance mix of Movements’ ‘A.M.P’ via the PA before the band themselves come on stage. As soon as the silhouettes of the members appear, the Mad Crew at the barrier have their work cut out for them. Crowd surfing starts immediately as Movements launch into their edgy, post hardcore rock that’s miles away from their top streamed song.
We get a tight performance that’s already worthy of being compared to the old masters like Thrice or Thursday. The energy on the stage is fantastic as frontman Patrick Miranda even shares the mic with one lucky crowd-surfer. This is truly the most animated I’ve seen a Garage crowd for some time. Movements have drawn out an excitement seldom seen in this space and it doesn’t seem to be lessening at the edges.
There’s plenty new material from the latest album ‘Ruckus’, which was played with the caveat from Patrick: “If you pop off for the old songs, you gotta pop off for the new songs!”… And pop off they did. There’s times when the connection between band and crowd is interrupted by the sheer amount of security lifting fans up from on top one another, but it’s welcome chaos and the love keeps flowing as soon as feet hit the floor. It honestly verges on hysteria as the army of fans spin and crash into the barrier.
This set went off like a helicopter fire that burns hot and intensely for an hour. There’s no let up from either band nor crowd for a second and finishing on ‘Daylily’ just serves as a parachute that brings us back to earth safely. It’s been an emotional night for everyone involved and it won’t be forgotten in a very long time.
Photos by Catching Light Photography