After decades of dormancy, mystery band Panchiko perform their first show since being rediscovered
The Nottingham indie-band are renowned in online music communities for their fascinating history, but they managed to blow this legacy out of the water with an astounding first show in 20 years.
Photo: Press
Panchiko was founded by a group of teenagers back in 1998: their dreamy, indie shoegaze sound was inspired by the likes of Radiohead and Super Furry Animals. They released around 30 to 40 physical copies of their debut EP, D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L in 2000. However, the band never really took off and the members went their separate ways.
Back in 2016, a CD copy of D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L was claimed to be discovered in a Nottingham charity shop. The EP was posted online and, in the years that followed, became a hit in online music communities. However, the CD disc’s sound was partially deteriorated due to rot. Some argue that this adds to the overall vibe of the album, especially given its shoegaze nature. But many were eager to hear the original, un-rotted, version of the EP – and ultimately discover who Panchiko really were.
Last year, in 2020, the band were found once again. Upon discovering their unbeknownst [RR(1] popularity, the band reached out to friends and family to see if anyone had a copy of D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, as none of the members themselves even owned it anymore. After managing to source a copy they then reformed, uploading the uncorrupted versions of their music to streaming platforms as well as previously unseen tracks, and rereleasing physical copies in CD and vinyl forms.
This weekend, over a year since being rediscovered, Panchiko played their first show in 20 years in Nottingham. The venue was bustling with excitement and nervous anticipation. Fans had travelled from all over the country for this; what if it was all some extravagant prank? What if they were only doing this because they felt obliged? Regardless of our anxieties, everyone was there because they believed in Panchiko – and rightfully so.
Panchiko’s set was utterly magical. The entire room was encompassed by their powerful performance. Emotive lyrics were bought to life by ethereal vocals, alongside compelling instrumentation that left you feeling breathless. It felt as though the entire audience were hanging onto every note, sharing an elation I’ve not felt at a gig since my early teenage years.
Inevitably, there were a few slip-ups, but I sincerely believe these added to the experience. Panchiko’s occasional botched notes, as well as the perfect amount of friendly stage banter, gave the intimacy of an early 2000s house party performance, combined with the talent of a remarkable modern-day concert. It should also be noted that Panchiko’s happiness was absolutely infectious, they were beaming from ear to ear throughout, projecting their giddy excitement and happiness into the audience.
Ultimately, the most memorable element of this whole experience was the sheer unlikelihood of it all. There’s something inspiring about the fact that a band who had long since given up their dream of performing live music were given a second chance by the universe, and how deserving they all were of it – gifting us with an astounding, unforgettable performance.
