Elin Grande. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. May 19th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

It seemed like a marriage made in heaven, the incredible and eclectic sound of Scandinavian band People of K and the sensational sound that St. Luke’s, known city wide as the bombed out church, produces.

As part of Liverpool’s Sound City celebrations, delegates, music lovers and the wider world started to flock to all the venues in the city in the biggest show of solidarity to the unknown, the bands that deserve greater recognition in a city that prides itself on being the capital of culture and the father of mother of all pop.

Those that made their way to St Luke’s, braving the ever threatening rain and the unseasonable May cold were treated beyond any expectation to the sound of three exceptional musicians bringing a flavour of Norway and Sweden to a city that holds artists such as All We Are very much to its heart. Opening the bombed out church sessions during the day can be a big ask, as the gothic feel and sense of history that the church has can be off putting until the lights come on and the feeling becomes ever more creepy and somewhat more delicious to see bands in.

People of K arrived and in front of a select audience gave a master class of music appreciation that wouldn’t have been out of place in any of the venues in Liverpool over the weekend but as Elin Grande, Erik Wood and Vegard Lauvdal went through their set, the nods of approval were very visible. In the space of half an hour the band played their heart out and gained new fans with songs such as Moonlight, Downtown and the very beautiful Sigh.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before this band comes back to Liverpool, one of the great surprises of the Sound City weekend.

Ian D. Hall