2014

by Dave Goodwin

published: 6 / 9 / 2014

Poliça - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 14/8/2014

intro

Dave Goodwin watches rising Minneapolis-based synth-rock act Poliça play an exuberant set at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham

Do you know how you sometimes make a list of those bands you want to see before they get too big? Well, Poliça are one band that I have been wanting to catch up with for a long time and, as they were only gracing the stage over here twice on the their latest tour other than playing at a couple of festivals, I seized the chance and headed over to the wonderful Rescue Rooms in Nottingham. I arrived in between acts. The man at the door told me the first act were 'OK', and it wasn't long before the main act slowly took their places. The Minneapolis-based synth-rock act Poliça were formed in 2011 by Ryan Olson (production) and Channy Leaneagh (vocals). According to Channy,the group was named a little complicatedly. Poliça is Polish for "policy", and she sees it as a code that guides the members when they play together, but 'poliça' is not an actual Polish word, though 'polisa' is a Polish word which means policy. Another reason for the name apparently is that they wanted something unique, and Channy had a file on her computer that became corrupted following a crash and came back as "Poliça". When they get on to the stage they are usually joined by Chris Bierden (bass/vocals), Drew Christopherson (drums) and Ben Ivascu (drums). Yep, you heard right, two drum kits. Without a word both drummers set to, and they eased into the opener 'Smug'. The now full Rescue Rooms broke into a round of cheering and applause and proceeded to move in rhythm to the gorgeous Polica rhythm. Channy placed herself far to the right and stayed there for pretty much most of the set, going on the odd excursion to the middle every now and again. It didn't matter much though. Channy's mesmeric presence was there to see and feel. The sad eyes and melancholic air gave way to an odd smile and thoughtful expression as she wandered back and forth in her own little corner. The music didn't stop all through the set, which included songs from both their albums, 2012's 'Give You the Ghost' and last year's 'Shulamith', other than a quick intro now and then. This was pure Poliça in good form. They were quickly encored back on at the end and will be warmly welcomed next time by the adoring Rescue Rooms crowd who saw a superbly confident Poliça set. Marvellous! SET LIST: Smug Raw Exit Maker Dark Star Great Regret Very Cruel Torree Warrior Lord Spilling Kind Tiff Berlin Baby Blue Lyco Chain My Name.