Bleach Lab / Bored at My Grandmas House, Yes (Pink Room). 23rd February 2022

Tonight’s the first of five gigs in the next four days, so it’s handy that we’re starting off with the calmer sounds of Bleach Lab. They’re headline, but having had a sneak listen to the support, I’m keen to catch the wonderfully named Bored at My Grandmas House too. There are similarities between both. Ethereal shoegaze pop that would fit nicely on a 90s mixtape. That’s probably why I’m into this. For all the post punk, industrial goth I’ve pummelled my ears with and still do, you need a little light to round things out. There’s quite a lot going on at grandmas house though, jazz rhythms that meander and twist with a lot more sounds that just guitars and drums. Plus it’s not all quiet and drifty. There’s a few heavy hitters in the set, where guitars shred and the drummer, who’s largely on his best behaviour, gets to pound a bit harder and indulge his inner animal. This though, I believe is born of a solo project from singer Grace and she clearly leads the line. Her voice soaring beautifully throughout, over wistful folk dreampop. Pretty impressive as we’re told this is only the fifth gig. Bleach Lab pick up the baton effortlessly. This sound is a little wider, more expansive. We might be huddled in a dark room, but this could soundtrack a glorious sunset drive. That said, it could also be a peaceful Sunday afternoon watching rain come down the windows. I guess it depends on your perspective. My point is Bleach Lab can take you out of yourself. It’s maybe somewhere between early Cranberries, Mazzy Star, with guitars that sound at the delicate end of The Cure. Again much of the tone is set by the vocals. Jenna Kyle’s breathy yet powerful lyrics drive the set. A sound like this needs a focus and Kyle is it. That’s not to dismiss the rest of the band. Considering they are three lads with guitars and drumsticks (and brushes), keeping things light and airy. They do a marvellous job sculpting some gorgeous melodies that have Yes’ Pink Room captivated. The song that brought me here is ‘Real Thing’ with its chorus of “I really wanna see you again, I wanna be more than friends”. Who doesn’t love a line like that. It’s the sort of stuff to make your heart swell and that’s Bleach Lab all over. By rights they should be huge, it’s a very accessible sound, but maybe a little melancholic for the mainstream. From my point of view that’s a good thing. After all, the record buying public shouldn’t be voting. I could well imagine Bleach Lab playing in a bar in the middle of a David Lynch scene and as dreamy as they are, it’s a joy to be able to catch them in the real world. You really should too.