The Hoosiers- Jacaranda Album Launch

On the 12th of May, I went to The Hoosiers launch of their sixth album Compassion. It spreads the message of putting a little bit more love and kindness out into the world, taking us through heartbreak and feel-good music.

Having never listened to the Hoosiers before I was able to appreciate the music even more by the band’s engagement with the audience. They were both excited to be back in Liverpool and this feeling was channelled into the performance, as they joked around with each other and the audience, completely at ease. It was not simply a show of music but also of comedy.

The evening started with Irwin alone on the stage, a spotlight on him and his guitar as he launched into the slightly haunting Don’t Hang Your Head. His voice rolled out over the crowd, reaching notes even dogs would struggle to hear. I think it is in songs like this where the band really soars above average indie pop. This eerily haunting and hopeful song when it is just you and them, as Irwin’s voice takes you into a new world.

They played one of their biggest hits Goodbye Mr A which had everyone singing and swaying with enthusiasm. They also introduced a song, Jigsaw Heart, about co-dependent relationships that the girls in front of us and me and my friend jokingly looked at each other for, after all what is best friendship without slight separation anxiety.

The band claimed that they had no set plan for the evening and asked us to be their safety net, ‘will you catch us’ said in sultry ironic tones. Well safe to say no one was planning on them coming directly into the audience, taking small intimate gig to a whole new meaning. Everywhere he went, people parted like the red sea, until he was stood right in the middle of everyone and began their next song.

With an album named ‘compassion’ it makes sense they want to feel connected with their audience, inviting us in to be more friend than consumer, if only for an hour.

All in all, they were a very entertaining if unorthodox gig.

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https://www.liverpoolguildstudentmedia.co.uk/category/music

If you are sad to have missed them, don’t worry, they will be back up north in October!

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