Manchester 4-piece Maruja close out their year with gigs in the Balkans. It’s the end of a run of 48 shows which began in Rotterdam’s Rotown back in mid September. It’s always fascinating to go to gigs in other countries and see how the crowd responds. In Croation’s capital Zagreb there were slight concerns in the Boogaloo Club as with just 15 minutes until showtime the venue was still half empty. Those fears were quickly dashed as room filled and the band took to the stage to rapturous applause before even playing a note!
Maruja will always deliver to the audience they are in front of. There was no sign of weariness as this tour heads to its conclusion. They performed with the exuberant energy they bring to every gig. It didn’t take long for the crowd to start moving. Maruja have an hypnotic effect when they play, memorising with their music and performance. Shifting from chaos and mayhem to calm and quiet, they held this young crowd in the palm of their hands even in the more placid moments, and therein lies their talent. The set included ‘The Invisible Man’, ‘Break the Tension’ , ‘Zeitgeist’, ‘One Hand Behind the Devil’, ‘Thunder’ and ‘Kakistocracy’ plus one new track as yet unreleased. Saxophonist Joe Carroll parted the crowd at one point and prowled amongst it. Lead singer and guitarist Harry Wilkinson further invigorates the energy in the room with his delivery while the resonating bass of Matt Buonaccorsi and the thunderous drumming of Jacob Hayes completes the band. Together they are a tight unit, one that sounds effortless in its cohesion, and yet so comfortable with each other as musicians they will improvise onstage. No awkward silences here as guitars are retuned between songs, the audience is always engaged. In fact at one point a chant spontaneously begins: “Maruja, Maruja, Maruja!” shouts the crowd. The gig closes with the hauntingly beautiful ‘Resisting Resistance.’ As happens at the end of the best gigs complete strangers starts talking to each other, sharing the joy of what they have just experienced. One person had driven 5 hours to attend the gig, another went along on a friend’s recommendation. Both were delighted they made the effort.
This year Maruja released The Vault on bandcamp, a staggering 80 minutes of music comprising improvisations, the backbone of their creation process, as well as their second EP Connla’s Well. They have also recently signed to Music For Nations. Next year promises to spread Maruja’s reach still further with a tour already announced for the States and Canada, including SXSW. On the evidence of their gigs this year, the world is their oyster.
For more information on Maruja including tour dates please check their website, facebook and instagram.