Ozric Tentacles

Support band Project RNL were an extremely talented bunch of virtuoso musicians from Israel. The first track impressed everyone, clearly we were in the presence of 5 geniuses. but I felt thereafter the tracks were too avant-garde to be enjoyable. Too many styles and ideas were crammed into reasonably short tracks leaving me eventually bored with an entire lack of flow for over an hour (I also got the impression they were eating into valuable Ozrics time). If they reign in their creativity just a tad, they'll surely be amazing.

Throughout the entire show with both bands, the bass was too high.

I've seen Ozrics a fair few times. I am always particularly impressed that their set is completely fresh every year, taking classics from all corners of their extensive back catalogue (including two tracks from Strangeitude, now 25 years old!) rather than sticking to a basic set with a few tweaks year on year like many bands do. The musicianship was top class all round. I only remember one track that I can confidently name: Coily. They played at least two tracks I recognised from their new album, one of which the synths were much too low in the mix.

Finally, we were treated (as we are every year) to guitarist Ed mumbling incoherently into his microphone. Sir, you are genuinely one of my music heroes but nobody has ever understood what you've said on stage at this venue.

Somerset psych-rockers Ozric Tentacles are a must see act for any fan of the surreal & cerebral as their live show is mind warping as these musicians are real masters of their craft. With a sudden influx of psychedelia in the UK & US charts with the likes of Tame Impala, Temples and Glass Animals to name a few all making waves with their own brand of distortion, Ozric Tentacles are one of the original acts to bend convention. Having never been supported by a major label, the band have still gone on to sell over a million worldwide having first gained their cult fan following on the UK festival scene, particularly Glastonbury. They only ever released one single, 'Sploosh' which is perhaps their most commercial hit yet this song is never used as their big finale due to the fact fans have their own personal favourites and the band know which of their heavily instrumental songs are likely to get the crowds swaying the psych tones.
The veterans are returning to the UK next month for a substantial run of dates hitting cities including London, Edinburgh & Birmingham to select a handful. For the fans of the obscure and anyone interested in where the influences of the psych rock revolution 60's affected later musicians, Ozric Tentacles are one not to be missed.