65daysofstatic @ Manchester, Sound Control (23/09/13)

Space jazz, frantic slabs of synth, hyperactive guitars, freewheeling drums and, um, "a selection of love songs about Paris". WIth that, we're introduced to the crazy world of THE PHYSICS HOUSE BAND (8), Brighton's answer to THE MARS VOLTA. Having first caught the attentionof the math-rock world through their inclusion on last year's "Sea Monsters 2" compilation, they signed to Blood & Biscuits for the release of their debut EP, "Horizons / Rapture" in February.With only one EP worth of material to choose from, it's a testament to thei versatility the amount of musical ground they cover across their set. High octane tracks like "Abraxical Solapse" get the criminally sparse crowd moving while they also touch upon more plaintive, chin stroking moments on the likes of "Hollow Mountain".

The venue fills out substantially for main supports, Australian post-rockers, SLEEPMAKESWAVES (7). For their first time in Manchester, they already seem to have a decent fanbase over here. Signed to Birds Robe, in their native Australia, they're label mates with 65DOS but their take on the post-rock genre is closer to RUSSIAN CIRCLES with subtle dance elements of tonights headliners. While some of the subtleties of the record may be lost in the live environment, they make up for this with their energetic delivery. Heavier riffing rubs shoulders with long form melodies and across their sprawling tracks they create beautiful soundscapes. They may not be peddling the most original sound but they're one of the best bands currently in the scene.

Despite the other bands' best efforts, for most of the assembled crowd, tonight is all about 65DAYSOFSTATIC (8). Their set is a perfect balance between rock guitar, dance beats and swirling ambience. Their latest album, "Wild Light", is only a matter of days old but their confidence in new material shines through making up a large proportion of tonight's setlist. Their confidence isn't misplaced either, new tracks are recieved just as warmly as classics like "Retreat! Retreat!" and "Radio Protector". Next year, their debut album and modern classic, "The Fall Of Math" will be a decade old but tracks aired from sound just as innovative and exciting today. 65DAYSOFSTATIC truly are a one off in the world of math/post-rock and, in the live environment, they consolidate this with a captivating set.