Electronic dance outfit Magnetic Skies release their latest album `Fragments` this week, the follow up to 2023`s `Empire Falling` and head out to promote this album with a few intimate shows around the country. Tonight`s gig in Birmingham is the first on this brief tour.
The band take to the stage as what sounds like `The End` an instrumental number on the new album is pumped through the pa system and blast straight into the questioning dreamy `Everything`s Alright` another track from the imminent release. The thoughtful `Closing In` follows before frontman Simon Kent shares that they`ll be a mixture of songs from their forthcoming album along with a look back to their previous album as well.
The intensive slow burn of `Your Shadow` has this intimate crowd almost mesmerised before heading back in time with the flowing `Not A Fire`. Another new cut comes with the deeply contemplative `She Calls Me On`.
The band’s first creative number and band name `Magnetic Skies` with its pulsing beat is shared along with `Fading Lights` which has a delightful rhythmic beat. The brand new `A Place on Earth` has a wonderfully retro vibe and seems to exude a sense of frustration in a relationship. The title track of the band’s debut album `Empire Falling` has that reflective ambience about it before the `Into Paradise` allows us to wallow in its heartbreaking appeal. This hour long show closes out with the cadenced `Fading Lights` before leaving us with a final cut from the upcoming release with the fast paced and expansive `Back To Life`.
I really enjoyed tonight`s show and frontman Simon Kent certainly has a variable vocal range and expressive manner in showcasing the numbers shared while Jo Womar and Lenin Alegria are the real understated engine room that keeps this event on track.
The swirling synths and pounding drums brought to mind the thrill and excitement of witnessing Gary Numan and Tubeway Army`s debut Pleasure Principle tour back in 1979. Hopefully, Magnetic Skies will be able to emulate some of his success. There`s three dates left on this brief tour and I’d encourage your attendance.
If you`re unable to be there, you could console yourself with a copy of the new release.
