The Lilacs, Superday and the Freight at the Garage

As I set out Thursday night I thought to myself "What on Earth are you doing this for?" Cold, pissing down with rain on way to a gig to see a band I didn't particularly want to see. I had booked tickets to see the support act primarily. But then the gig got postponed and the support act scratched. I could have got a refund but thought I might as well give it a go.

And as is often the case, I had a great night. Starting by getting chatting to a young photographer in the queue outside. As you can imagine, standing outside on a wet night could be a dispiriting experience, especially as they were late letting us in. But with someone to talk to the time flew by.

Opening act were a four piece called the Freight. And they were great. Music in my general taste band and the lead singer had very decent vocals, but what made them memorable was their enthusiasm. They were just a joy. Especially loved the curly-haired young guitarist in front of me with the thickest specs I have ever seen, but who just seemed to be having the best time. Culminating in their last song, for which his guitar stopped working so he just set it aside and danced (badly but amusingly) until the point where the lead singer announced he would have a real problem now as it was his guitar solo! He just sung through it, laughing

So, I would very happily see them again. But next up were a more mature band, Superdays. Had never heard of them, but they were very good, and the lead vocalist exceptionally so. Brilliant voice.

And that was before the Lilacs came on. Now they clearly had a lot of fans in the audience (including some parents!) I did know that they were an indie guitar band who again were in my taste range, but knew nothing more about them. But I quickly found I really liked them. From Wigan, which may account for me not coming across them before. Lead singer  had personality and strong voice, and they felt like they had some good anthemic songs (I say "think" because if it is one's first time hearing them none of them are going to stick. But they had with much of the rest of the audience.)

As I was at the front, and there was a raised stage, I had to look up to see the guitarists. But if I looked straight across peering through the dry ice I found myself eye to eye with the drummer. Who was the spitting image of one of my work colleagues, which felt weird!

The guitarist in front of me was the reason this gig had been called off last year. He had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. You have to admit a very good excuse! All clear now we were told, to great applause.