Live Review: Marmozets w/ Queen Zee | Student Central, London | 07/02/18

Already a strong contender for album of the year with their second record; Knowing What You Know Now, Marmozets have wasted no time getting out for some intimate shows in support of the 12 track LP barely two weeks after its late January release. Opening the night, up and coming band with a transgender agenda Queen Zee 7/10 (Formerly known as Queen Zee and The Sasstones) do a great job of kicking things off with their ruckus like dynamic punk noise, incorporating small moments of funky bass, melodic vocals and even doomy sounding hardcore into their vicious groove. Set highlights come from a short and sweet speech about shutting down homophobia, transphobia and other injustices that are not welcome within the music scene, songs ‘Porno’ with its big chant-along chorus and ‘Fly The Pink Flag’, which sees Queen Zee herself and Ash Summers take to the forefront of the stage for dual screaming action. Marmozets 8/10 feel no need for introduction as they burst onto the stage and straight into ‘New Religion’, despite the new record not even being out a month the crowd seems to already know all the words. ‘Habits’ receives an even stronger reception, being one of the more emotionally driven tracks from the new album, and Becca Macintyre is already standing at the barrier, gripping the hands of fans and giving an up close taste of her uniquely mesmerising onstage dance moves. ‘Is It Horrible’ turns it up a notch with its frantic guitar and Becca dishing out the dirty vocals as the whole crowd screams along, before the notch is cranked up even higher for debut album banger ‘Move, Shake, Hide’. A breathtaking performance of haunted lullaby ‘Insomnia’ gets the room swaying in enchantment, until the Bingley (West Yorkshire) quintet bust out ‘Play’, the first single off the new album. It’s strikingly clear as to why it was chosen to be the first taste of their new music; employing a more clean style both vocally and instrumentally, they’re using a razor sharp edge now rather than their signature jagged blade, yet the song still delivers a mighty kick, and based on tonight alone, Play deserves a place as a set staple for the rest of the bands beaming, bright career. ‘Suffocation’ brings back the heavy, blending hard hitting riffs with melodic vocals. The tenacity of Marmozets performance tonight is unwavering, the crowdsurfers have been ever present, Josh Macintyre comes out from behind the drum-kit at one point to incite a crowd shouting competition whilst Sam tells the crowd multiple times how badly he wants to see everyone going mental and that he wants as many people as possible trying to reach the stage. The jammy vibes of ‘Lost In Translation’ keep the party going strong, for some reason during ‘Run With The Rhythm’, a sizeable chunk of the crowd all sit down and start doing rowing boat motions on the floor. The infectious engine tick-over sound of guitars in ‘Major System Error’ invite a ridiculous amount of crowd surfers over the barrier, and an uplifting, soulfully executed ‘Captivate You’ closes out the show. Becca stands triumphantly on top of the barrier, thanking the crowd. Marmozets live are as alluring and elegant as they are ferocious and implacable. Put these on your need to see list now.