Live Review: Squid - Newcastle University Students' Union, 27/09/2021
It’s been a while since Squid were initially supposed to perform live in Newcastle, but you know the saying; a rescheduled show makes the heart grow fonder? Because it sure does.
On Monday the day was finally there for me to make my way to Newcastle University’s Student’s Union, and after a few detours, I found out the venue was hidden behind a student bar. Now audiences of both bar and gig were all over the place and didn’t give me any indication of where I was supposed to be. Squid truly are a band for music-lovers of all ages!
Before Squid grace the stage I am pleasantly surprised by Glasgow-based punk six-piece Kaputt who manage to truly warm us all up for Squid’s live performance. Their sound is a mix of groovy bass lines, surprising hooks and festive, brass-driven sounds. It did surprise me a little not to see a mosh pit erupt as the band’s energy level was certainly there!
Met with enthusiasm and an euphoric cheer, Squid immediately starts tearing down the stage at the Student’s Union. Their surreal and outer worldly sound is a mix of experimental compositions, influenced by post punk, grunge and alt rock. I am also doing my very best to forget the fact that it is a Monday night and Squid’s sound is just perfect for that specific cause. The mosh pit has also just kicked off, and encompanies the passionately aggressive sound of Squid. While bouncing along and dancing around I realise that Squid are one of the last bands standing that still perform something that is vastly different to their recorded sound. Which is the way live gigs used to be approached.
Squid do it with a nonchalance you wouldn’t expect from a young and still emerging band. It is their musical talent that helps them get away with their experimental sound and both me and the audience welcomed it with open arms!
Words by Laura Rosierse