The second edition of this city centre festival in Southampton, this year expanded to 2 days. A packed agenda with bands across three venues: Heartbreakers, Joiners, The 1865. A bit of a walk between the latter venues so it was sensible to cluster our choices in groups of two or three. Fortunately, we were blessed with good weather so the straw between venues was welcome respite
A great vibe all weekend allowing us to see a variety of music:
SATURDAY
Owen Hackett- local favourite, with a band today presenting an excellent set of songs, 60s-infused in places
The Roebucks-top notch Americana with shades of Decemberists from this Brighton based four piece, sharing vocals through the set. “Great British Pig” is a superb song as well as latest release “Sable”. For their last song did a cover of dimples by John Lee Hooker “who doesn’t like blues at two in the afternoon!“
Canned Pineapple-rocking tunes with rockabilly overtones in chunks
Night Swimming – Beach House meets Keane. Superb dreamy indie pop.
Cousin Kula - Unknown Mortal Orchestra melded with CVC with a bit of Ezra Collective thrown in. Brass in abundance.
Personal Trainer-played a more frantic set than we have seen previously. Great energy and entertainment. As always, a festival treat.
The Orchestra For Now – “nothing like Black Country New Road.” I only say this because somebody described them as “ a bit like Black Country New Road“ just before they took the stage. I can see why the comparison is made. TOFN are a band of six including cello, but this is a much more frantic sound; so here’s my comparison: transporting ourselves back to the 60s, we have TOFN ‘s Rolling Stones to BCNR’s Beatles, the latter being new pop some of which your mum might like whereas TOFN are more earthy and rebellious with exuberant lead singer. That said, TOFN mellowed their sound halfway through the set when the lead singer removed his sunglasses (with them he was invincible) and the last two songs presented a more melodic and orchestral vibe. So, asked me to sum up TOFN in seven words….. a bit like Black Country New Road
CVC - it doesn’t matter how many times I see this band playing their set of songs from their fabulous Get Real album, they never cease to fill us with an utter sense of joy. Brilliant performance one of the best sets of the weekend.
Anthony Szmierek - this was a must see, mainly out of curiosity “to see what all the fuss is about“ given this artist has been so hotly tipped. You couldn’t wish to find a more engaging performer. Brilliant songs from his Service Station At The End Of The Universe album. Supported with guitars and synth. Excellent.
SUNDAY
FUDU - 2 keyboards and plenty of synth drums with a lead singer on guitar who was slightly angry
Lurker - was expecting another noisy band in the early Joiners afternoon darkness. On the contrary, Lurker presented a much gentler sound including exquisite violin. A great counterpoint to much of the other music on show this weekend; a great find.
Wonderlux - first band today in 1865. A good dose of straightforward indie pop.
Atmos Bloom - lead singer’s voice highly reminiscent of Molly Rankin (Alvvays)
Terra Twin - another four piece guitar and best band of the afternoon so far. Strong US influence. The War On Drugs meet The National with Bruce Springsteen on occasional vocal.
Otala - transported us back to a memorable night in 2017, seeing Nervous Conditions for the first time. Avid readers will know who that band morphed into… This was like BCNR with Isaac on vocals. Fantastic funky saxophone
Skydaddy - “ what a band” - a fantastic variety of sounds: synths, acoustic guitar, and occasional a cappella vocal. A superb, emotional set.
Human Interest - a lot of plaudits for this band but anxious to get to the Joiners for the next set we were forced abandoned them after 2 to 3 numbers
Melin Melyn - the most fun band of the weekend. Played to a packed out Joiners showcasing songs from their recent ‘Mill On The Hill’ album. A massive amount of love in the room.
Deadletter - Zak Lawrence fronts this band in an incredible way. The most bouncing I saw the Joiners all weekend. Fantastic set with Zak making numerous forays into the audience.
English Teacher - missed the first few songs as we wanted to see the conclusion of the Deadletter set. A really accomplished band and great to see them headlining this festival. A full on set which provided a great contrast to the stripped back acoustic presentation of the album ‘This Could Be Texas’, which we saw at Vinilo records on the evening before the release of this mercury winning LP. You Blister My Paint and Albert Road gave us shivers down our spine, Lily Fontaine delivering vocals brilliantly on both numbers.
Folly Group - the concluding “special set“ of the weekend. A raucous and bouncy crowd in Heartbreakers for this wonderful band with their huge repertoire of dance based tunes
Simon
