JAMES WALSH is moved by a provocative and original take on the relationship between ecology and architecture, and a plea to work with, not against, the materials and minerals of our world
Piroshka promise much on assured debut
MASTERFUL: Piroshka
An immersive, participatory display by a queer Australian Aboriginal performer, and a rebellious unravelling of traditional Scottish dance
EWAN CAMERON witnesses a political farce that lacks a clear message
EWAN CAMERON picks out two fascinating music shows, fusing the Korean, and the Celtic, with the modern
BENJAMIN POTHIER suggests that Palaeolithic cave paintings in Spain point to the ceremonial use of hallucinogenic flora
The bard confirms that the right has a humour bypass, and replays the English Revolution on period instruments
Piroshka
The Lexington, London
LONDON'S Lexington markets itself as a classic British boozer turned lounge bar. Its upstairs room has hosted all manner of groups and doubles as a go-to venue for showcases, allowing bands to get up close and personal with the audience and that's what Piroshka do as they make their live debut.
Named after the Hungarian for Red Riding Hood, they are self-confessedly not an indie supergroup, even though they comprise shoe-gaze stalwart Miki Berenyi from Lush, Justin Welch, ex of Britpoppers Elastica, KJ McKillop from Moose and Modern English's Michael Conroy.
Live, the four-piece expand to six, adding keys, percussion and harmonies to the line-up. Their 45-minute set takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride through the band’s forthcoming debut album Brickbat and it's a mix of ethereal vocals, shimmering guitar and caustic commentary on the state of the nation.
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