Gathered hours before opening, a sea of fans clad in black, formed lines around the Brooklyn Paramount on Thursday, May 29. Known to whisk fans away to a dream-like state, Panchiko is currently on tour for their recent album, Gingko.
Pachinko’s origins are ultimately unusual, finding footing into the rockstar lifestyle late into their career. Originally established in 1997, the group produced 30 copies of their early demo, D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, before dismantling in 2001. Their discarded CDs, covered in rot, were unexpectedly uncovered in 2016 at a local charity shop. In the hopes of unearthing more about this “elusive band” an anonymous internet fan posted the demo to the online messaging board, 4chan.
The mystery was solved in 2020, rekindling the band when the lead singer was contacted via facebook. Now playing sold out shows around the world, Panchiko consists of Owain Davies, Andy Wright, Shaun Ferreday, Robert Harris and John Schofield.
Harnessing a hallucinogenic sense to the quality of their instrumentalism, their music melds the line between shoegaze, dream pop and art rock. Their vocals are rich with emotional rawness, exploring themes of disillusionment and the complexities of human relationships. Then layered over a driving bassline and experimental audio, manipulating varying sounds into a distorted state. (Think electronic beats, static hums and fuzzy melodies). The gritty quality to their music itches a part of the brain in an incomprehensible way.
Throughout the duration of the performance, the pit was a frenzy. Bodies packed to the barricade as fans sang loudly to favorites like, “Laputa” and “Until I Know.” Panchiko fed off the crowd’s unruly energy. Specifically, Ferreday, who waved to the pit with a wide grin on his face after every song.
The band was backlit by psychedelic visuals, matching the tone of each song with exaggerated effects. Their new song, “Honeycomb” even included a narrative animation on display behind the drummer. Screams of “We Love You Panchiko” swelled through the venue, the night ending with “All They Wanted” and Kicking Cars.”
The tour continues onwards for Panchiko with stops in Albany, Canada, California and more.
Panchiko- Brooklyn Paramount- Thursday, May 29, 2025
Setlist: Stabilisers for Big Boys, Stuck, Ginkgo, CUT, Gwen Everest, Mac’s Omelette, Failed at Math(s), Chapel of Salt, Untitled Demo- 1997, NeilSSong, Honeycomb, Lifestyle Trainers, Until i Know, D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, Laputa, All They Wanted, Kicking Cars
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