Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
The polka-dotted phenomenon Angine de Poitrine landed their spaceship in Leeds for an ecstatic show that masterfully balanced supremely complex musicianship with sheer, ridiculous fun.
The proud tradition of bands performing in bizarre masks ranges from the Residents’ giant papier-mâché eyeballs to Slipknot’s intimidating gimp ensembles, but Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine’s polka dot outfits may well take the prize. Double-necked guitarist and bassist Khn de Poitrine sports a giant upside-down pyramid head with a Pinocchio-style long nose. Drummer Klek de Poitrine’s oversized headpiece resembles Monty Python’s Black Knight but features its own dangling proboscis that flails wildly as he plays, topped by a tiny gold pyramid. The stage, drum kit, merchandise stall, and several fans were also adorned in polka dots. One particularly inspired group even arrived wearing Klek’s signature gold pyramids.
If it appears as a phenomenon, that is precisely what it is. Although the band formed in 2019 and have jammed together for much longer, Angine de Poitrine went viral earlier this year when a US radio station published footage of them performing at a French festival. This first-ever UK gig was completely sold out—as are several much larger shows scheduled for this autumn—and the eccentric duo were greeted like conquering heroes before playing a single note. Even before taking the stage, fans were photographing Khn’s intricate pedalboard setup.
Music and Performance
Remarkably, their music is as unconventional as their attire: a strangely hypnotic, frenetic hybrid of math rock, progressive rock, punk, jerky repetitive rhythms, microtonal loops, and intricate guitar riffs, with song titles such as "Sarniezz" and "Utzp." At times, they erupt into a form of extraterrestrial hard rock. There is no traditional singing; instead, they occasionally emit mechanical "wooo" or "oggy oggy oggy" sounds in alien-like gurgles.
While one must admire the formidable musicianship required to produce such an intensely tight sound—especially while wearing those elaborate costumes—the key to their appeal lies in their ability to provide sheer, ridiculous fun during dark times. At many moments, the band and audience form matching pyramid shapes with their hands as a mutual gesture of thanks; at another point, everyone bounces up and down in perfect unison. After the wildly intense epic "Sherpa" drives everything to a brilliantly frenzied climax, the crowd departs with huge smiles and a tiny pyramid in their hearts.
