Live Review: PLGRMS, Jake Meadows

Jake Meadows amalgamates harps, drum tracks and swirling synths to put on an ensemble of lush ambient grooves, captivating the attention of even the more passive attendants. With a minimalist sound truly all his own, Meadows had no trouble maintaining crowd focus by pushing the boundaries of what a one-man show can entail, exhausting all points of energy. This was presented through the masterful and simultaneous plucking of his two harps, while occasionally adding his crooning vocals to the mix. This proved to nicely supplement an impressive display of showmanship and skill.

It didn't seem long before these vibrant harps were replaced by the wailing echo of guitars that embody PLGRMS' mesmerising sound. Hitting the stage for their midnight slot, the indie electro outfit kicked things off with Fools And Their Gold, continuing along the line of upbeat electronic drums but now mixed with a melodically focussed vocal lead. A rendition of latest release Gemini utilised a combination of sample-induced loops that perfectly complemented the array of breezy synth harmonies this track features.

Fraught with sound difficulties and feedback issues, PLGRMS persisted through an otherwise enjoyable and dance-heavy performance. These technical issues culminated when all of the electronic accompaniments dropped out midway through their final hit song Pieces. This momentary lapse pushed lead singer Jacob Pearson out from behind the wall of noise, bringing his falsetto vocals and ringing guitar strums to the fore. Rather than putting a blemish on the night, this quick thinking on Pearson's part only served to highlight the professionalism and tenacity he evidently possesses. This allowed the duo to finish on a high, receiving a hearty and appreciative applause for their persevering efforts.