Alphastates are the kind of band you have to admire. Sonically ambitious and not afraid to stretch the possibilities of the form, you imagine them sitting around and thinking deeply about arrangements, mixes and beats even before they pick up an instrument.
Added to that, Catherine Dowling is an engaging front-person with a distinctive and at times otherworldly vocal technique. She is a potential ace in the Alphastates hand.
As this was effectively the live launch of their much-vaunted Made From Sand debut there was a sense of occasion about this well attended gig and the night was heavy on atmosphere.
Onstage, the band are musically tight, and create an impressive tapestry of textures and rhythms, blending dance, rock and pop influences effortlessly, with Dowling clearly in control of things.
While you can’t fault the material or the playing, however, as the night wore on it became clear that they will have to work on their stage craft.
They weren’t helped by the giant movie screen that acted as a backdrop, the arty clips distracting from, rather than enhancing, the action, but overall there was a lack of dynamics about the delivery.
They need to reach out more. With songs like ‘Sometimes’ and ‘Addicted’ in their repertoire, Alphastates clearly have the potential to make a big impresssion. Here’s hoping they can realise it.