Formed in Liverpool in 1987, Shack emerged from the remnants of The Pale Fountains, led by brothers Michael and John Head, eventually releasing the band’s debut album 'Zilch' in 1988. Since then, the band’s journey has been marked by long gaps, personal challenges, and industry setbacks, all of which have contributed to their enduring cult status and the quiet reverence that now surrounds their work.
Opening the night were fellow Liverpool band Credits. Their material felt grounded and sincere, particularly when introducing their recent single ‘This City is a Death Trap’, leaning into the realities of surviving the music industry. It was a fitting support slot: reflective and rooted in live experience rather than spectacle.
Shack took to the stage without ceremony, easing into the set with ‘Sgt. Major’ lyrics “come with me” echo in the chorus. From the outset, the focus was on atmosphere rather than momentum. This was followed by a slower-tempo track - ‘Pull Together’ - washed in green lighting and lifted by backing vocals, giving the song a sense of unity. The pace felt deliberate, giving the room time to settle into the world of the band.
It quickly became clear throughout the set that this would be a performance defined as much by feeling as by structure. Lighting was used throughout to enforce emotional shifts in the evening. Soft yellow hues accompanied ‘Soldier Man’, a song pointedly about the “end of the season”. The visual element never outshone the music, but worked in tandem with it, deepening the audience’s involvement.
Several songs drifted by without clear introductions, giving way further to the sense of continuity. Blue and green lighting introduced a moment more expansive in the set, before the band leaned into a track with a subtle country-inflected twang, washed in blue and yellow.
Between some of the songs, brief moments of reminiscence and appreciation for the audience cropped up, with references to past time spent in Sheffield. Never tipping into sentimentality, this only served to lean into one abiding sense: Shack’s relationship with their audience has been shaped over decades. At points, the band spoke to their fans like old friends, which added to the intimacy of the set.
What ultimately defined the performance at The Foundry was its refusal to overstate its own importance. This show was grounded firmly in the present, with no grand speeches or dramatic gestures - just carefully delivered songs, played with patience and conviction to their loyal audience. This feels particularly significant given the band’s long and complicated history.
Shack provided something unique at a time when live music frequently veers towards spectacle. Their performance was reflective and subtly self-assured. It was a reminder that longevity in music is more about honesty, skill, and the capacity to create moments that last long after the last note fades than it is about continual reinvention.
Lily Howard
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