REVIEW: Parcels Headline The Roundhouse

Parcels are incomparable to any other guitar band on the scene right now. Disco pop music makes the core of the band’s sound, with funky guitar riffs and synths characterising the sonic identity of the group.  They certainly don’t look like a band from 2018 – but the throwback is the charm of them, taking music lovers to the roots of the crossover of guitar and electronic music.  Though originally hailing from Australia, the group are based in Berlin, and clearly picky up their electronic influences from their residential surroundings.

The group started performing a mere 4 years, and yet have already rocketed to the forefront of the live scene. To sell out the Roundhouse in only two years since their first single, and upon release of their debut album earlier this year, is a phenomenal achievement – that too, as an international band. The impressively abnormal rapid accumulation of fans is a testimony to the quality of music they deliver that appeals to a wide range of music tastes.

Parcels started the night with the opening tracks of their debut self-titled album, ‘Comedown’ and ‘Lightenup,’ and ended the night neatly circling back to ‘Comedown.’ They also nostalgically performed their older tracks from their beginning days for the long term fans, including 2016 tracks ‘Gamesofluck’ and ‘Overnight,’ as well as tracks from their debut 2017 EP ‘Hideout.’

It was interesting to see their first and latest tracks performed together. Though the band have had a consistently glossy and sleek sound from their formation, the musical growth that the band has undergone evident, their latest album boasting their boldest and brightest riffs and melodies.

Frontman Jules Crommelin is quite the front man. Working across the stage and reaching the audience of every corner of the venue, and even playing face to face with his own band members behind him. There was a strong sense of friendship between the 5-piece, which created a homely sense of community within the audience. Parcels truly understand what it means to deliver a world class tour.

Check out an interview with Parcels in the upcoming issue of our magazine, and make sure to check out their debut album ‘Parcels’ on Spotify now!

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