Live Review: Skating Polly - O2 Academy2, Liverpool 10/03/2023
US outfit Skating Polly return to Liverpool with their abundantly energetic set.
The group, formed in Oklahoma some years ago, have really made a name for themselves in the UK. A truly amazing feat considering their American beginnings.
The band really know how to put on a spectacle, and how to put together a great bill for a gig.
They were supported by two brilliant acts that really got the crowd in Liverpool’s o2 Academy 2 moving ahead of the main event. The second act really seemed to do their bit in getting the crowd moving. Their performances on the tour must have impressed the Skating Polly members, as guitarist and vocalist Peyton Bighorse was later seen repping a ‘Spaff’ band t shirt. Definitely a group to check out.
After the supports it was time for the American rockers to take to the stage. And that they did. Due to an ankle injury sustained somewhere else on the tour, Bighorse was reduced to performing from a seat. The commitment to the band must be admired here. The group could have so easily postponed or cancelled these UK dates due to the reduced mobility of the hugely talented musician, yet they persisted.
The seating arrangement did not hinder her performance in the slightest though, playing just about every instrument throughout the set. What a feat.
The group kicked off their set in uber- energetic fashion. The Liverpool crowd ate up the fast and punchy songs served to them.
The group are set to release their new album ‘Chaos Country Line’ in the summer of this year, and they teased some of the upcoming tracks in their set. One of which being the already-released ‘Hickey King’. Having only been available for public consumption a couple of days, you’d expect it to be met with a reserved reaction from the crowd, but this couldn’t be further from the reality.
The latest single was so well received, and it was performed with equal quality when compared to the recorded version. It really does seem to be a track that could be huge for the Oklahoma outfit.
There were a further handful of new songs played in the set, and they felt so abundantly fresh and exciting.
The set maintained its energy throughout, with no dull moments. As previously mentioned, the band demonstrated their enormous talent throughout. Particularly towards the closure of the set, as they rotated on numerous occasions, with Kelli Mayo and Bighorse rotating between guitars and bass, as well as alternating lead vocals. On an occasion drummer Kurtis Mayo took to the guitar with Bighorse taking the drumming role.
The group are such a breath of fresh air, as is their live performance. They are full of talent, and their Liverpool set was such a brilliant display of what the group can do. It seems that they will only go from strength to strength as they move towards putting out their new record. Fans all across the UK will be eagerly hoping for news of more live dates following the record’s release.
Words by Matthew Caslin
