Amplifier / The Soundhouse / Leicester

May 7

May 7 Amplifier / The Soundhouse / Leicester

Only a month ago, we had the great pleasure of reviewing the latest album from Amplifier, the appropriately titled “Gargantuan”, a well-crafted album, the new material is exciting and engaging as Amplifier continues to blend progressive rock with experimental textures. A worthy 9.0/10 from LiveWire, and you an check out the review HERE.

So we were excited to see that they would be performing just down the A46 from us in Leicester at the Soundhouse. This was a show we weren’t going to miss ! Amplifier were formed in Manchester in 1999, and are a progressive rock band led by guitarist Sel Balamir and drummer Matt Brobin.

Turning up for doors at 19:30 we’re met by Sel on the door doing tickets. A trip to check out the merch stand for later on, and we’re greeted by Matt. There’s no support tonight and Amplifier are due on at 20:00. Sel & Matt take to the stage around 20:10, but to be fair, they had to make sure everyone with a ticket was in  The Soundhouse is a wonderful small grassroot venue, and the atmosphere is just amazing. Long time fans mixing with casual music fans out to experience something new. Sel and Matt mixing and chatting with anyone and everyone, the night has a wonderful chilled feel to it already.

But to be honest, Sel and Matt were not the centre of attention. Oh no…. t was the size of Sel’s pedalboard which had fans gathering round, taking pics, mouths open in awe. A giant L-Shaped array powered by a chain of four-way adapters. I posted a pic on social media and all my guitarist friends were tagging their band mates or partners saying things like “See….. you thought I was bad !” lol Ijokinly asked Sel if he actually used all the pedals and he looked at me dead serious and said ‘ of course’ like, why would it be on there if I didn’t use it ?!

They open the set with Extra Vehicular from 2016’s “Echo Street” and immediately you’re swept up and transported into a surreal soundscape. Not just progressive metal, with an other-worldly / futuristic edge, they blend in a wide range of styles and sounds. Early in the set a couple of songs had a real heavy guitar driven doom metal feel, whereas other songs had more of a stadium rock feel. The balance between the styles throughout the set was incredible.

Sel and his pedalboard are mesmerising to watch. Using looper pedals and effects, he sets the system running repeat patterns, to which we layers on other elements and live guitar creating a complex soundscape that is truly magical to behold. I have no idea how Sel remembers which elements are required for each song ! Matt sits behind his Roland V-Drum electronic set and again impresses with a range of styles, heavy, pounding sections, lighter elements. Its incredible to watch.

At one point Matt threw the drum key on the floor after adjusting his snare skin, then for the next track he was searching for it. I picked it up and posted it over much to his relief, and big cheers from the crowd. But this was just one moment of light heartedness. Sel and Matt interacted and chatted with the crowd at easy between every song, and that cosy, ‘evening with friends’ atmosphere continued throughout.

The duo didn’t just concentrate on the new album, with only two songs from it here tonight, instead, they played something from most of their albums. The time just flew by, as we were swept away on a wonderful sonic, intimate journey.

For me, the highlights of the night were Interstellar (from “The Octopus” 2011) and the monumental track Blackhole (from 2025’s “Gargantuan”). It starts with a synth like looped element over which Sel performs a delicate guitar riff, before Matt powers in with some power drumming. It settles into a hypnotic rhythm, the perfect backdrop for Sel’s ethereal sounding lyrics to sit. It has some of the best lyrics I’ve heard for a long time. With lines like “It’s the nature of time, to dissolve all the pain”.

Amplifier are a joy to watch, not just the skills on display, but the connection, and joy they share for their craft. The songs have long bridging and jam sections, and the pair will look at each other, locked in the moment, driving each other on, and smiling and laughing at almost surprised by what they were playing or at an unusual tone from the cockpit that is Sel’s pedalboard.

At one point Sel asked what the time was…. He looked at the laptop and exclaimed, oh my it’s 22:30 ! But they didn’t stop…… There were only twelve sogs tonight but of course like most prog songs, you definitely get value for money from each ! Having realised the time, they went on to play two more songs, One Great Summer and finally UFOs (both from 2004’s “Amplifier”). As Sel flicked switches on the pedalboard to end elements of the mix, he encouraged Matt to give us a Cosy Powell drum ending, which smiling, Matt delighted in delivering.

All in all, Amplifier played non-stop for the best part of three hours…. And it just flew by. It would be so easy to get bored during such a long performance, but Amplifier deliver on every song. With varying influences and styles, with wit and smiles, as you fly off with them on a sonic journey through space, you truly travel at the speed of light and time flashes by.

Just two men, a guitar, a drum kit and a living – breathing pedalboard monster, plenty of fluids and a wild imagination…….. Amplifier are for me, a must see live band. You’d be hard pressed to find a better experience anywhere.