Live Review: Big Scary, Dreller

Inspired by the characters Cinderella and Dracula, Dreller is a multi-instrumentalist based in London who is as evocative and oddly intriguing as his name suggests. Accompanied by an extra member on live percussion, Dreller let us into his world of disjointed, experimental pop that was as ambitious as it was dynamic. Despite there often being an overwhelming number of layered ethereal synths, warped vocals and bubbling keys, this deep entanglement saw itself through to huge choruses led by Tom Rawle's stirring vocals.

Another element that very much drove the set to clarity and created the highlights within each track was the lead guitar, picking its moments to flesh out and put a raw edge on the dreamy soundscape. Dreller hasn't been navigating this project for long but it's clear there's plenty more boundaries in the world of electronic-pop waiting for him to push.

Playing their final show of the Animal tour, an infectious energy was immediately apparent through bashful grins as Big Scary bandleaders Tom Iansek and Jo Syme took stage, accompanied by an extra three members. The iconic duo have won hearts over the last six years with some super atmospheric, emotional bedroom-indie, but recently shifted gears for their third album, Animal.

Opening with the thundering, primal drums of Oxygen succinctly followed by Organism, we heard to full effect the addition of a live saxophone and two percussion set ups. Iansek's vocals are still as brooding as ever in these newer tracks, while a clash of frantic sound engulfs him. The saxophone was especially significant in adding a funky undertone which turned stagnant head-bobbing fans into grooving, dancing fans.

The latter half of the set saw some intimate, stripped back throwbacks to their 2011 and 2013 roots like Bad Friends and Luck Now, saturated in reverb and Syme's syncopated drums. Although Big Scary's catalogue reflected a bunch of different sounds and styles, there remained a sense of continuity and natural progression. They've come a long way from their indie-pop heartbreakers, which they reminded us of in the encore that included Falling Away and Twin Rivers, leaving fans utterly content and nostalgic.