LIVE REVIEW: Fazerdaze @ Band On The Wall, Manchester!

Earlier in November, we had the pleasure of witnessing Amelia Murray’s solo project, Fazerdaze, at Band On The Wall, Manchester. A beloved bar-and-stage venue, the show was held in one of their smaller rooms. But this was a blessing in disguise as it rendered the Shoegaze artist’s ethereal melodies more intimate. Sensual even.

Photo Credit: Joey Cluff

From the moment she appeared onstage with a shy grin, Amelia exuded an aura of laid-back cool. The Indie fave’s stage presence was understated but her soft voice commanded attention as she hit all the right notes with ease. Her sound is a blend of Shoegaze, Alt-rock and Indie, having gone viral in 2017 with her music video, ‘Lucky Girl’. Although the Kiwi artist herself might not admit it, she sits beside stalwarts like Clairo, Cuco, men i trust, and boy pablo, all having rode the wave of Gen Z-targeted Bedroom Pop spread via the internet.

Performing her new EP, ‘Break!’, as well as previous two projects - the self-titled 'Fazerdaze' and ‘Morningside’ - the musical texture was lush. Her intricate guitar interplay and subtle drumming provided a solid foundation for the hypnotic soundscape. 

Although the stage set-up was sparse, lighting played a significant role in the show. The lighting was colour-coded according to the cover artworks of Murray’s projects. When she performed from her self-titled EP, a wave of purplish light filled the room. When she played ‘Morningside’, blue light splashed on her face. Whenever it was ‘Break!’s turn, the room turned green. It was Amelia, her two guitars and her laptop against the world!

The musician delivered a string of her best loved-songs, including ‘Break’, ‘Jennifer’, and ‘Little Uneasy’. Some glaring omissions, however, were ‘Come Apart’, ‘Take It Slow’ and ‘Misread’. The softer tracks dominated the set over her grungier cuts.

The crowd were engaged from start to finish and didn’t hesitate to hoot at every chance. A lady even went “woo!” when Amelia took a sip of water. Predictably, Fazerdaze closed the night with ‘Lucky Girl’. And while we hoped it would go on longer, the gig concluded and Amelia fled backstage for a brief meet-and-greet with fans.

Every fan of Hazy Pop needs to see Fazerdaze live, for they will be treated to an unforgettable night of nostalgic bliss.