“You’re the show, you’re not the clown” Smooth, haunting and uplifting – Ambiere definitely know how to put on a show.

Ambiere’s sound is described as “fairy-tale grunge with a jellybean and peanut butter finish” by Manchester production company Scruff of the Neck – but what does that mean to somebody who isn’t familiar with the band? Probably nothing. It’s fair to say that Ambiere are a trio that need to be experienced live for the unfamiliar ear to be able to get a grasp of what they’re about. 

The three-piece, comprised of Oliver Lamb, Jake Blythe and Amber McIvor, are a band from Manchester who met through mutual friends and a mutual love for music. They have now gone on to be recognized by the BBC, garnering fans all over the country. 

The band gets its sparkle from the frontwoman, Amber – a ray of sunshine who is a huge advocate for mental health and all things positive. 

There are four bands on the bill for the gig at Manchester’s Deaf Institute; Sun Moon and Talia, Blue Lights, and Afghan Sand Gang all bringing their own respected sound to the evening – but it is evident from the minute Ambiere enter the stage who the 300 strong crowd are here to see.

The multi-coloured outfits are out in full force as the 10-song set list begins; which included five brand new songs from the new EP ‘I See Faces’. The title track – a undeniable fan favourite, is a track that doesn’t fail to get people moving. The track is a dark underground pop banger which unusually compliments McIvor’s smooth yet haunting vocals. 

The song creates an atmosphere that you’d imagine could only be enjoyed by the ‘cool kids’ at the party. It’s obvious that the music that comes from these three makes the varied audience actually feel like the cool kids at the party, no matter what age. 

Whilst mentioning the bands advocacy for mental health, it would be silly not to mention Got It, the second of the new tracks performed at the gig.

“Sometimes I don’t wanna get up from my bed, sometimes I don’t wanna wake up in my head”. The track features some darker lyrics in contrast to others on the set, along with a less intense, but still up tempo beat. 

Bassist Bylthe’s Jagger-esque moves weren’t so wildly received halfway through the gig as he smashes the dainty lead singer in the face with the neck of his guitar in the heat of the song Unsteady.

If he wasn’t so unsteady on his feet this accident could have been prevented.

McIvor seems unbothered. “I just broke my nose, but fuck it” she announces before she goes straight into the second verse. Impressive.

The gig draws to a close with an unplanned encore, providing 3 minutes of serenity with the track Tree of Life, an earlier release which is a lot less electronic and upbeat than the majority of the setlist. 

“Thank you so much for coming guys”, Ambiere are grateful, unusual, fresh and seem to fill a void in what’s missing from electronic music today – mystery. 

Afterwards…

A few days after the gig I caught up with McIvor and we talked about the track ‘Got It’ – one of the highlights from the live set.

“I wrote that song at my height of kindness. I was so stoked with life and I don’t know why I wrote those lyrics when I was so high and mentally stable – I realised later that I’d wrote them subconsciously for myself when I’ve been down at other times in my life”.