Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

There is fission of excitement that sparkles wildly when a music lover read down a list of bands names that are due to play at a gig they attend that is almost unique in the world of music. From the early 70s when great progressive rock bands of the time thrilled audiences with names that seemed positively futuristic, it seems that a name can carry hope and an awful lot of symbolism.

When an audience member comes across the name Hoag’s Object it can either have them hugging themselves in joy that this fine tradition has carried on or they would worry that it might not really be their scene. Both aspects and train of thought can be undermining to a band but the four young lads that make up this fascinating band, the joy is in the listening and that joy is magnified many times over.

Hoag’s Object are a million miles away from possibly being considered as Progressive Rock but Kieran Topping on guitar and lead vocals, Charlie Milne on guitar and vocals, Connor Grove on bass and synthesizer and Peter Kirby on drums and vocals prove that they are not only excellent live, they live up to every expectation that their exotic name suggests.

Hoag’s Object opened up with the song Not From the Air, Not From the Ground and from that point they had a lot of people in the audience open mouthed in appreciative astonishment. The sound the four young lads provide for the crowd is almost unique in Liverpool circles and like the Guardians, who have recently been nominated as part of the first Liverpool Music Awards, they offer something just that little bit different which is exciting and enthralling.

This alternative rock band played several songs during their set including the superb The Comedown, the stunning Snakepit and the bracing and thumping Colourful Greys.

The band may not have been together very long but in an astounding short space of time they have come to define their group’s name in elegant style, this really is something beautiful that needs to be witnessed.

Ian D. Hall