Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
The polka-dotted phenomenon has landed its spaceship in Leeds for an ecstatic show that masterfully balances incredibly complex musicianship with sheer, unadulterated fun. While the tradition of bands performing in bizarre masks is a rich one, ranging from The Residents’ giant papier-mâché eyeballs to Slipknot’s terrifying gimp ensembles, Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine’s polka-dot outfits might just be the most striking yet.
Guitarist/bassist Khn de Poitrine, sporting a double-necked instrument, wears a colossal upside-down pyramid head with a long, Pinocchio-esque nose. Drummer Klek de Poitrine’s outlandish, oversized head gives him a resemblance to Monty Python’s Black Knight, complete with its own dangly proboscis that flails wildly during his performance, and a tiny gold pyramid perched atop. The stage, the drum kit, the merchandise stall, and even several audience members are enthusiastically adorned in polka dots. One particularly inspired group of fans has even arrived sporting replicas of Klek’s signature gold pyramids.
If it looks like a phenomenon, that’s precisely what it is. Although Angine de Poitrine formed in 2019 and have been jamming together for much longer, the duo went viral early this year when a US radio station shared a video of their performance at a French festival. This debut UK gig was completely sold out – as are many of their much larger upcoming autumn shows – and the eccentric duo were greeted like conquering heroes before they even played a single note. Even before their appearance on stage, fans were captivated, taking photos of Khn’s intricate pedalboard setup.