The Underground Stage
“Clews are built around two sisters, Lily and Grace, whose surnames I’m really hoping aren’t the obvious Clews (or, to be more numerically correct, Clew). In fact, I’m spending much of the time before they come on reconciling myself to the fact that they are probably and regrettably not named after the ball of thread […]
“Gabriella Cohen and her band open up by asking for, and getting, a moment of silence. As it stretches into uncomfortably long silence territory, Cohen breaks it with a grin and they peel off into the show. It’s a neat trick, and pulls focus from the audience without raising a single voice. Not that this […]
“Georgia Fields arrives after two bands who have incrementally raised the volume and – in an unexpected twist for my normal nights out – turns it waaay the hell back down. It’s just her, on a swivel chair that apparently reminds her of Michael J Fox for reasons she gamely tries to explain, and the […]
“Solid Effort aren’t the easiest band to enjoy, even given that amazing name. It’s not they’re not enjoyable – they surely are -but it’s like watching a fight between a melody and a street brawl. Just when you get comfortable with the wonky pop, they go incoherently hardcore. Just when you settle in to be […]
“The absolute best thing about hanging out in dark little venues all the time is when you catch a band’s first ever gig. Tonight it’s Body Type’s turn to join the scene, who kick off their live debut with the immortal line “thanks for coming out to see us… suckers!” Chutzpah before a note is […]
“Rackett really couldn’t be doing any more right. They’ve played and played and played, they’ve quite clearly landed on a musical spot they’re all delighted to be on, and they’re tight, focussed, and in the damn zone. They’re also madder than a box of frogs. Tonight is the single launch, supposedly, but really this is […]
“By rights, I should completely despise The Dinlows. Ferchrissakes, it’s dubby, reggae-infused, stoner white-boy spitting. So why the ever-living heckers am I enjoying this so much? Glad you asked. It’s because of the fact that they cram more music – more notes, more words, more technical nous – into every single bar than most bands […]
“Liquid Time are from Avalon, and basically play blistering and pounding psyche loonhattery interspersed with the occasional moment of actual song. Jesus, when they collectively decide to let go, it pummels you into a paste. This is why people get addicted to collecting guitar pedals.” Instagram
“If you read any gangster fiction or watch any gangster film, there’s always a bit where someone gets respect for being really fucking hard but never raising their voice. Galaxy Girls have this *nailed*. This is not polished, it’s not technically proficient, it’s basically 100% restrained menace, the threat left unsaid. There are some overtly […]