INK. | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 11 May
Fans queue outside Clwb Ifor Bach eager for INK.’s arrival, and the rain does not reflect their mood. People have arrived early, ready to secure their spot front of stage in Clwb’s upstairs room; the hum of excited voices are heard all around.
Bristol/Cardiff trio Coroners impress with a slow and dramatic set opener, frontman Matt Fleet mounting the speaker and encouraging the expanding audience to clap. Joined by keyboard/bassist Shyam Pankhania and drummer Joe Cooke, a mysterious vibe is enhanced by the smoke creeping in from the back of the room. With limited material, Coroners’ set is short and sweet – “More time for Dougie,” quip the band to giggles.
INK.’s explosive opening with Fever – taken from their four-song debut EP – fills the need for fireworks while removing the need for set design, Dougie Poynter standing out with high air-jumps that occur through the whole set. Vocalist and guitarist Todd Dorigo (aka Mr Metabolism, a name coined by Poynter) reputedly lives on pastries but still looks good, alluring in his button-down shirt and with his deep, prominent voice.
The trio showcase their songwriting abilities and instrumental talents with new, non-EP content and a few surprises up their sleeve – covers of ABBA’s Lay All Your Love On Me and Sia’s Cheap Thrills. INK. don’t hold back, giving their all on this debut tour, and although they smash the fast-paced indie-alternative numbers, they prove they can do it all with the slower Satellites, which I predict is set to be a popular one. “Man, I love Wales. Coolest flag in the world. Let’s have a fucking dragon!” proclaims Poynter, before asking for the lights to be turned off completely so he can show off his light-up pink guitar.
INK. are much more than a new band on the scene: their talents are already developed, their friendships strong. Hit tune Heaven sees the trio out but there are no doubts that we will see them again, and sooner than expected, as they assemble at the merch table to meet their fans. It’s early days, but we can expect bigger and better things from Dorigo, Poynter and Alexander.
words and photos AMY FARRER