The Underground Stage
“Jimmy Sea opens up this Sunday night slowdown – just him, a tiny acoustic guitar and some pretty sizeable songs drawn from the well of Wombats and Jack Johnson. A smoothly-poured voice and some witty lyrics – the references in his “Ode To London” even make a black-hearted wretch like me homesick for the place […]
“Alexis Pepper is an art-artist, not a band, but is live-painting as tonight’s Artist In Residence at Symposium’s Sunday night showcase. I *love* her stuff – oodles of anime, sharp corners and high-contrast, with enough Jamie Hewlett to make sure I buy a print. Get her stuff now, the world looks better with it in […]
“Maverick are not subtle, like a brick to the back of the head is not subtle. Massively massive in its approach, like an aircraft carrier in your face, this is huge Linkin Park territory, giving it welly and taking no prisoners. Name me one damn thing wrong with that, I dare you.” Facebook | Instagram […]
“Hatakaze have a mean swing, Jimmy Eat World with added grump. Everything’s put together exquisitely, big and bold and loud, like it’s standing on a chair. Really enjoyed this set, full to the brim and spilling over the edge with riches.” Facebook | Instagram [flickr_set id=”72157694293515490″]
“Tshitaki are lined up, on-target, and move like they’re on rails. When they blow through their Husker Du moments they’re searingly good, but there’s more here than mental, there’s craft behind the nutty. Turbocharged.” Facebook | Instagram [flickr_set id=”72157699745209454″]
“Breakwall’s finest moments come tonight when they channel either big melody or – basically – Motorhead. The angry moments are vicious and cross, but when the songs emerge they can really soar.” Facebook | Instagram [flickr_set id=”72157700111841925″]
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing Sports Bra for a while, but this show tears strips off an already-excellent body of recorded work. There is so much gentle anger, restrained muscle, and intellectual heft, it’s hard to keep up, or to know when to duck. Quiet sojourns give way to focussed volume, the sudden realisation […]
“The Buoys have an absolutely massive bag that’s *rammed* full of killer tricks. This set veers between lush & bucolic pop, vicious rackets, gentle moments of beauty, and bluesy soul. That’s one hell of a thing to pull off – and it’s a hell of a show.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter [flickr_set id=”72157696638596972″]
“Bruise Pristine have this groove nailed. Squalling moments of utter fury, a vocal like a bloody chainsaw, jarring Sonic Youth scales and – unsurprisingly – moments of Placebo’s ringing guitar. It’s a beast, and not one that you or anyone else if likely to tame anytime soon.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter [flickr_set id=”72157671932997278″]