Liverpool Sound of Vision Rating 9/10
It doesn’t take long to fall in love, the barest of fleeting glimpses or sounds on a radio can be enough for anybody to start a life-times affair with the most defining of bands. Whether it is the intoxicating thought that the music supplied by The 286, is industrious, soul grabbing, slips you a crafty but loving wink in between each affectionate and amorous note or that it brings back so many memories of the only band to have ever tried anything as daring and eclectic as anything that one of Birmingham’s most favourite bands, E.L.O., ever conceived.
The International Pop Overthrow has already had some pretty amazing acts on during its time at The Cavern; certainly Liverpool and its discerning music lovers have had the pick of some absolute stunners, bands that will be welcome time and time again to the stages of the city. In amongst them will surely be The 286.
Where adversity strikes, something always comes along to make sure the audience still gets the music they deserve and whilst the two cellist of the band, Marta and Anna, weren’t at The Cavern for the gig, by having the tremendously talented Vicky Mutch from The Mono L.P.s and one of the most admired musicians and composers from Birmingham in the form of Luke Moore on stage with you then the audience knows that the band have come with all guns blazing and the thoughts of orchestra rock firmly in mind.
Fronted by Spencer Hannabuss the group performed a set that will live long in the memory, the guile and composure showed by each member of the band and their two very special guests set the afternoon session at the Cavern Club up superbly. Whether it was the song Hello, Beyond the World, the outrageously good Miracle or the sensational Little Louisa, this was orchestral rock at its very finest. The inspiration maybe heavily E.L.O. or The Move but The 286 is a group of musicians almost unique in today’s world, not afraid to mix and juggle the genres; the music flows like wine but is as satisfying as the finest 40 year old malt whisky. The 286 bought a large smile to the faces of all those that made their way to The Cavern, a rare and wonderful treat.
Ian D. Hall