Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year the annual four newish and upcoming bands NME Awards tour arrives in Nottingham; a quick count-back reveals this to be my 14th attendance, the first of which was headlined by Stereophonics in 1998, which was probably the year some of tonight's audience were born.
The 2015 line-up features Palma Violets, The Fat White Family, Slaves and opening as a last minute replacement for The Amazing Snakeheads who chose the eve of the tour to split is The Wytches. The opening slot has had notable previous occupants Coldplay, The Coral, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Mystery Jets and Florence and the Machine, and slightly less notable Fluffy, Theaudience, Mumm-Ra and The Drums, so it's worth getting there early for that “I saw them first” moment.
Tonight's audience decide to ignore the historical evidence as The Wytches are playing their bone-rattling Sabbath-style riffs to an half-full Rock City. The three piece's deep bassy psychedelic riffs were never quiet captured on the 'Annabel Dream Reader' album released last year, let's hope any new recorded material manages to better replicate their fine live performance tonight.
Next up are Slaves a two piece from Kent, Laurie Vincent (guitars/vocals) and Issac Holman (stand-up drums and shouty vocals) together produce a brutal, minimalist sound that sees the younger members of the audience erupt in a mohican strip of a moshpit from front to back of the standing area. Highlights include ' Where's Your Car Debbie' and new single 'Feed the Mantaray' the chorus of which is still stomping around your head long after it's finished. By the end both Laurie and Issac are shirtless and the standing area has turned into a thrashing bait ball. Slaves first album 'Are You Satisfied?' is out 1st June and should be on your wanted list.
The Fat White Family are introduced by a mystery man in a military jacket and flight goggles who rambles incoherently before throwing something into the crowd, the weirdness continues as the abstract noise makers arrive on stage. Lead singer Lias Saoudi looks a frail, meek character but the second he removes his shirt during the first track the devilish spirit of Iggy Pop appears to invade him as he writhes and contorts through every word of the performance. During crowd highlight 'Touch The Leather' Lias is in the audience lying on top of the front rows, by the time final track 'Bomb Disneyland' finishes he looks exhausted, on the verge of collapse. Fat White's music mixes lots of influences and their album 'Champagne Holocaust' isn't the easiest listening; however their energetic live performance is easier to digest.
Compared with what's gone before, tonight's headliners Palma Violets feel mainstream, nothing wrong or bad but nothing to get too excited about either. They thrash through tracks from their first album '180' at a terrific volume, Sam Fryer (in US Southern states preacher hat and long coat) and Chilli Jesson sharing and switching vocals in a The Libertines style. 'Best of Friends' and '14' get a great reception from the crowd who vigorously leap about throughout the hour Palma Violets are on stage. 'Danger In The Club' which is the title track from the new album released May 4th also goes down very well even though it's brand new.
So NME tour, always a good value ticket with four bands and you'll probably leave loving something you barely knew when you arrived. NME Awards Tour 2015, Nottingham Rock City, 24th February, 2015
Alisdair Whyte
