LIVE REVIEW: Temeraire @ Artefact, Liverpool

Temeraire - an ensemble born from Liverpool’s music course - unveiled their first acoustic set within the warm, rustic embrace of Artefact, a venue that seemed to inhale and exhale with the band’s every note. The evening unfolded like a tapestry of brassy hues, yearning vocals, and a distinctly bohemian aura that lingered in the audience. The night had a gentle, handmade sound, each charming song being another step into their budding music career.

Photo Credit: Will Litton

Opening with ‘Hanging On’, Jake Holloway’s wistful voice drifted through the room, settling over the audience like a dusky veil. The band radiated a heartfelt, magnetic energy. Each member moved with a shared and unspoken instinct with one another. Marc Thompson-Pueyo’s steady percussion gave the songs a rich, earthy texture, while Bill Wells’ bass lines pulsed beneath the melodies like a heartbeat, with a natural and masterful continuity. ‘Too Tired’ arrived as a beautifully layered moment; Sam Horsfield, almost trance-like in concentration, channelled musical devotion into every strum of the strings. Their synchronicity felt almost telepathic, proof of hours spent revisiting, refining, and breathing life into their craft.

Photo Credit: Will Litton

Their acoustic identity shone again with ‘Water Balloons’. Here, Sam stepped forward on vocals, supported by Jake and Bill’s harmonies. The song moved in tides, falling and retreating with effortless grace. Marc’s sensitivity to dynamics enriched each verse, adding texture without overwhelming the delicate guitar work. Longtime favourite, ‘Girl’ blossomed with a new clarity, prompting the crowd to join in, their voices lifting the room with warmth and spirit. The set closed with ‘Winter’, building to a glowing, folk-tinged climax reminiscent of early Stereophonics and Kings of Leon but touched with Temeraire’s own meditated and personal shimmer.

Photo Credit: Will Litton

Temeraire’s future feels expansive and bright. Their songs melancholic yet catchy, tender yet bold, reveal a band brimming with chemistry and coolness, a clear declared confidence. Even seated, they command a room. And undoubtedly, their sound will continue to grow, resonating and settling into many more hearts.