Tigercats, The Mining Institute, Newcastle
- Written by Lee Hammond
Arriving uncharacteristically late, we dart up the stairs of this beautiful old building, the thrum of the band above us emanating down the stairs, and, as we enter this grandiose venue, we’re greeted with a wall of noise. Whilst being dazed and confused by this incredible sound, we realise it’s the extraordinary Fever Dream.
Yet again we’ve arrived at the wrong end of the band's set, but from the short amount that we catch it’s an incredible force of noise. The beautiful vocals almost seem lost, yet the hooks that we catch are beautiful and excited. What follows is nothing short of incredible as the bands change over in record time.
Tigercats take to the stage in a little under five minutes, and they’re in ferocious form, providing the crowd with a blistering set; showcasing beautiful indie pop hit after hit with an obvious leaning toward newer material, 'Junior Champion', for example, really is a stand out track, its poppy vibe and brilliant hooks fill the room. Whilst time ticks on we’re transported away from the darkness and gloom to a world much brighter.
That said, 'Full Moon Reggae Party' goes down a storm too, their indie pop sensibilities really shining through. The spiky guitars fill the air, whilst the urgency and excitement of the lyrics liven the mood.
One thing we can say about Tigercats, they have an innate ability to brighten up any room and despite 'Sleeping in the Backseat' being quite a dark track, its upbeat and happy tone, can’t help but get our tired feet moving. These guys were always going to be a big hit with us.
Tonight, whilst their set is short, its also one of the most uplifting, exciting and interesting experiences that we’ve had in a very long time. The grandiose settings of this beautiful library assisted though, creating an incredible backdrop to an incredible night.