Live Inside A Dream: Hyde Park...

Live Inside A Dream
Lines Of Silence | New Ghost | Forming | Abandoned Buildings | Lozenge | Night Swimming

Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
5th July 2025

Louder Than War’s Andy Brown heads to Hyde Park Book Club for Live Inside A Dream, a night of shoegaze, dream pop and all things David Lynch.

“Where we’re from, the birds sing a pretty song and there’s always music in the air”

From the moment I arrive at Hyde Park Book Club, I’m completely submerged in David Lynch. There’s a deal on cherry pie and black coffee at the bar, while in the window I spy one of those creepy ‘Have You Seen This Man?’ posters from Twin Peaks. Films are projected on the walls, and the stage is decorated with that familiar zigzag design from the Black Lodge. I recognise the music playing over the PA from Mulholand Drive. There’s even some strategically placed plastic owls. This dreamy evening has been organised by Bradford’s Abandoned Buildings in order to raise money for The David Lynch Foundation UK.

Pull back the – admittedly imaginary – big red curtain and you’ll find Lines Of Silence. The ever-evolving Todmorden-based outfit utilise guitars, electronics and a whole heap of pedals to deliver driving kosmische instrumentals and heart-racing post rock. Fittingly for the night, I can absolutely imagine the duo playing The Roadhouse. It’s a sound that simply oozes effortless cool. Halfway into the set, the feedback-laced psych gives way to hazy melancholia. The sound of waves lapping gently against the shore as we fall ever deeper under their spell.

Sheffield’s New Ghost harness a big, sprawling sound with the first song delving into some larger-than-life indie rock stylings. When you think it’s all over, they break out the harmonies, crunchy guitar riffs and sax. You can’t fault their sweaty, full-on commitment, but – for me at least – the tunes don’t always connect. The bassist is rocking an Eraserhead t-shirt, yet the band’s brief rendition of In Dreams is played for laughs and feels a tad disappointing. I’m a big fan of The Big O. Thankfully, the romantic Red & Blue better captures the mood as they beckon us into the pines, “follow me, through a lucid dream.”

Forming kick things off with a brooding cover of The Pink Room from Fire Walk With Me. The use of violin – courtesy of Andy Mills – gives this ominous instrumental a unique, sinister spin. Dark and blissful. We’re then straight into a fantastic set of dreamgaze and euphoric indie psych.

You What is a gloriously catchy indie pop gem, while the lyrics for Alaska make me wish I spoke a little French. Both tantalising glimpses into what will hopefully soon become their third album. They don’t usually take requests, but – in aid of a friend’s birthday – they treat us to a cover of REM classic Driver 8. It’s a song that meshes particularly well with the band’s sound. Always a pleasure to see this lot play.

Suitably enough, Abandoned Buildings kick off their set with a song that nods towards Mr. Lynch. Catching Ideas is a gorgeously dreamy slice of shoegaze-influenced indie rock. The band’s set is bursting with slow burning dream pop and whispered grace. Each song swathed in loud yet oddly serene guitars that make you feel like you’re wading through syrup.

Scenes from Wild At Heart are projected on the beam above my head as the band deliver the kind of atmospheric dreaminess that wouldn’t sound out of place in the Double R Diner. As if this wasn’t enough, it’s a genuine treat to hear their take on the eternally beautiful Falling from Twin Peaks. Isn’t it too dreamy?

Joel Pimm from the David Lynch Foundation UK then proceeds to share a few words about transcendental meditation and the good work that the organisation does. Amongst many other things, the foundation works with first responders, NHS staff and those suffering from PTSD. A part of Lynch’s legacy that perhaps isn’t talked about enough.

From the start, Lozenge are clearly a band that know how to harness energy, melody and copious amounts of grungy DISTORTION. And yes, that really did need to be all caps. Said distortion squeals and hums just like it should, and goes beautifully with these unexpectedly sweet songs. What’s more, it’s a real thrill to hear not one but two Lynch-related covers. In Heaven is delivered with a sizable slab of fuzz (and is noticeably different from the iconic Pixies version) while their take on Just You is sweet, heavy and powerful in equal measure. James Hurley, eat yr heart out.

Julee Cruise drips from the speakers as we ready ourselves for tonight’s final act, Night Swimming. In many ways, the Bath/ Bristol-based band feel like a pretty ideal headliner. It’s a consistently dreamy sound that feels like you’re falling into a whirlpool of light. Just try resisting the gentle pull of songs like In The Real World or Whispers On Argyle. You can’t, can you?

The band specialise in jangling dream pop melodies imbued with subtle, intricate and effortless musicianship. At least on my first introduction, it’s less about individual songs and more about creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Their cover of Shadow by Chromatics fits like a glove, and there’s something undeniably moving about hearing singer Meg Jones swoon the songs central refrain, “For the last time…”

A really great event and a fitting tribute to David Lynch. Shall we do it all again next year?

~

You can find all the bands on Bandcamp: Lines Of Silence | New Ghost | Forming | Abandoned Buildings | Lozenge | Night Swimming

Listen to David Lynch on Bandcamp here.

The David Lynch Foundation UK can be found on their website.

All photos by Jim Mumby | You can find him on Facebook and Instagram.

All words by Andy Brown. You can visit his author profile and read more of his reviews for Louder Than War here.