This gig was advertised as an "Indie All Dayer" which sounded right up my street. Although have to take issue with title of "all-Dayer" when actually it started at 5pm. More "early evening" than "all day" I would suggest!
The venue was the upstairs room at the Old Blue Last pub, which has its own bar is a decent space with a modest but ok stage. But the lighting is awful. There is a strip of lighting above the acts that is sometimes far too bright but then goes off which leaves the stage too dark. But far by far the worst are two lights in the back corners which revolve and essentially blind the audience every 10-20 seconds with a quick retina burning beam. It meant that not only was this gig difficult to photograph but difficult to watch at all, knowing there was pain just a round the corner. I spent a lot of time standing or sitting at one side looking across the room rather than at the acts.
First up was Liya Shapiro with her band. Now one generally expects that in a bill like this one starts with the weakest act and progresses. I consoled myself with this thought as I endured this pretentious art house stuff. It was dreadful. In my mind I have a practical rating scale for new bands I see - Top is "I would go out of my way to see again", then "I would pay to see again", then "I would be happy to see again if they happened to appear on a bill", then "I don't care"!, then "I don't want to see again". And finally "I would pay good money to avoid seeing again". Liya Shapiro fell into the last category. That bad. And I am tight!
Next were a band called Swindled, a five piece indie band from Sunderland. They were much better in just every way. Real music, dressed for the occasion (almost all in suits!) with a pleasant jaunty banter. I was just thinking I would see them again, but unlikely if they are from Sunderland. But lo and behold, I see they are on an indie bill for a gig I am going to later this month. Result!
They were neatly in my taste range musically. I suspect I could get into them.. But above all they evinced personality, which is what comes over most when seeing a band for the first time. One felt one would LIKE these guys if you met them down the pub. Not just when you saw them playing at the pub. I will get a better feel when I see them next month!
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| Suit AND tie! |
Then followed Jea Mira. Complete change of pace from indie rock to mellow singer with an acoustic guitarist. Not totally my thing in genre, but frankly for what this was it couldn't much be bettered.
Normally I am not a fan of singer songwriters turning up with acoustic guitar. They are just boring. Jea Mira was a definite cut above the rest. Firstly beautiful voice. Then, because she was not strumming away on guitar, she could concentrate on the audience. And the guitarist was excellent, rather than the basic strumming you normally get with a singer/guitarist. Mostly break up songs she said, although in tone her love songs sounded much the same. But a pleasant interlude, and winning personality to boot.
(Only two photos partly because they were pretty rooted to to the spot, but mostly because she called for a red light and that was what she got. And its really hard to film in infra red!)
Into the second half with Fiction, a slightly older band in their thirties. Perfectly proficient, but... I don't want to be rude, but the lead singer's voice was just so, so off putting. Imagine Bob Dylan if he could hold a note (which obviously he can't). This is Dylan's nasal voice but with power and consistency, and it is not a good thing.
Penultimate act of the night were the Silverados. And they blew me away. Terrific, but what really astonished me when the singer spoke to the audience was that they were Americans over here on tour. I say that as they sounded perfectly British. Specifically London, late Seventies. They sounded absolutely like the Clash or the Jam. In fact if they set up as a tribute act I am sure they would make a great living. Jam tribute acts out there, but they are old folk. These guys bring back the youthful exuberance.
The Silverados were definitely the standout act of the night. I always hope when I go to these mini festivals I will come away with one act I want to follow up upon. This would have been the one. Except that they are based in the States. Not going that far however good they are!
And finally, Monumental. Who alas were not as monumental as their name. They were fine, but not as exciting as the Silverados. Quite liked the lead singer although he was a bit diffident. The band were ok, just nothing to write home about. Would happily see them again, but wouldn't strain myself.
