Oranj Son at the Pier Head in Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Anybody who has been pushed up on to a stage first, to have the glare of the spotlight thrust with voyeuristic intent and the simmering of gentle persuasion guide them into opening a show, a talk or even just the pressure of buying the first round and knowing full well that people will drop out behind them, that others will order fancier drinks to make them look like the bigger cheese and the more generous, might get how nerve racking it is to open up as first act on arguably one of the biggest and certainly the most new weekends in the Liverpool year.

Yet if there were nerves, if they were bitten to the fray and the soul was crying underneath for the warmth of a beach and the coolness of the biggest ice cream, in Oranj Son, they were not to be seen and as the sun started on its respectable summer’s daily task of giving August sunshine to the revellers and the musically interested high above the Pier Head, the Liverpool Loves Festival took on the extra cool dimension and the music began to wash over the Mersey with carefree abandon.

Oranj Son – Kieran Linford, Bradley Welch, Lew Yii and Matthew Linford have not been together that long as a band and yet the confidence and the range of scope that oozed out of them as they, in their words jokingly, were trying to wait for England to regain the Ashes was more than enough to endear themselves to the early birds who made their way down to historic docks in search of a melody and tune before the heat became too much and the call of exotic food distracted them.

As the Razzle Dazzle Ferry slipped into view from behind the stage and the reminder of one of the three things that gives Liverpool its cultured name took on its next load of passengers, Oranj Son offered the crowd infront of them a gratifying and knock out set which cajoled the cobwebs to stir and the voices to limber up for the day ahead.

With songs at their disposal such as Blu Mau Mau, 1988 Never Ended, Who Needs The Meaning, Psycho Disco Face and Radio Wise being received as warmly as a man carrying free ale and deckchairs to a group of thirsty workers with an hour off, Oranj Son kicked off the music part of the three day event to a state of great enjoyment.

The sun was barely on its long climb over the skies of Liverpool but Oranj Son had given the day a much appreciated glow. Liverpool loves its music and in Oranj Son the love was keenly felt.

Ian D. Hall