Restorations / The Smith Street Band / Astpai - Portland Arms in Cambridge Easter Monday 21/4/14

Punk today has less confrontation but the attitude is still there, helped by worldwide social networks…3 bands who knew and admired each other, found they were all playing at the wonderfully-named GroezRock punk festival in Belgium…and decided what the hell, lets hire a van and do a European tour as well!

Astpai Austrian, the most traditional punk sound, could have been made in 1977. Great t-shirts!

The Smith Street Band – Australian, described as ‘folkpunk’, perhaps because one has a beard. And maybe because amongst their merch they have no less than 3 different-coloured woolly hats with their name on.  Sadly neither the band or audience are wearing them.  Aligned to Frank Turner, with lots of fans shouting along to inspirational/storytelling lyrics. Most popular band tonight.

Restorations – US headliners, like a cross between the Hold Steady and Explosions in the Sky. Lots of guitar lines, articulate lyrics, serious stuff.

A great turnout despite/because of the weird 6.30-9.30pm timing, a great way to end Easter, and we all went home feeling young and energised again!

 

 

Kevin Hand (@Kevinhand3)