The Van T’s serve us epic guitar soundscapes and huge harmonies with new single Fresh Meat.
2016 was a huge year for The Van T’s – they released earworm after earworm that embedded themselves in the minds, and hearts, of listeners everywhere. Their stupendous Coming Of Age EP and riotous Fun Garçon single were accompanied by support slots with Yuck, Rat Boy and Man Of Moon as well as appearances at T in The Park – where they headlined the BBC Introducing Stage – Electric Fields, Wide Days and Stag and Dagger. They looked, and sounded, like a band gearing up for greatness.
2017 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for the Glaswegian four-piece – comprised of twin sisters Hannah and Chloe Van Thompson (guitar, vocals), Joanne Forbes (bass) and Shaun Hood (drums) – having already supported The Jesus And Mary Chain in Amsterdam and Clean Cut Kid in London. They also did a two-day stint at the Great Escape Festival and have a forthcoming slot at Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival this weekend.
New single Fresh Meat (out now via Lab Records) begins with distant-sounding, almost ethereal, vocal harmonies before the full force of the track rushes over you with waves of guitars and pounding rhythms. There’s an almost psychedelic sound as the vocals melt into the swirl and fuzz of the guitars. I can picture this being played at a huge festival in front of thousands – the timing of this review means that the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury instantly springs to mind. It’s a rare band that demands a stadium-sized venue so quickly, but I don’t think it’ll be long before they’re there.
As the last guitar riff growls through the speakers, I’m already queuing this up to play again. Fresh Meat just leaves me ravenous for a debut album from The Van T’s. You can devour the track below, but be prepared to want more.
This article was written for Backseat Mafia.