MUSIC

The Cube, Bristol (Sat 15 Oct)

There’s a surge of energy as Enablers open their encore with ‘Career-Minded Individual’, the third track on 2011’s ‘Blown Realms & Stalled Explosions’. The guitars are slinky, a lethargic sweetness that ambles over the sludgy groove – think Life Without Buildings soundtracking a Scorsese thriller. Pete Simonelli’s poetry slips in and out of the audible realm; whilst submerged, its timbre has the charm and allure of a Bukowski reading; when it breaches the surface, albeit momentarily, it details and navigates the quotidian with impeccable colour. The previously seated audience have descended on the stage during the interlude – there’s a girl whipping her hair as if watching a metal show, others have shut their eyes and are swaying sedately. The guy biting his lip as if only to stop his smile spreading too wide is the one Venue most relates to because, despite the all-too-serious connotations of beat poetry atop soaring guitar soundscapes, there’s a forceful eroticism to the performance. It could come from Simonelli’s hyper-flexible interpretive dance, but it’s most likely the band’s staunch confidence, which also underpins their humour, such as Simonelli’s request of “Heckle!? Heckle! Heckle!” It’s a peerless performance, and mature, yet inspiring of the sort of unconditional enthusiasm reserved for teenage infatuation. (Leah Pritchard)

Copyright Leah Pritchard 2011