I seem to start most gig reviews these days by saying it was a cold, dark, wet, dreary night, and last night was no different. On Monday 14th May, it was still light, but wet, cold and miserable - perhaps just the night for a band from
First up it’s Siobhan Wilson. As Louis from Admiral Fallow explained later in the evening, there was no support booked for the gig, so he rang Siobhan who had yesterday moved from
A very unique and smoky voice delivered some beautiful fragile songs. She really brought a hush over the room, much to her credit. An idea voice for jazz, Siobhan is certainly one to watch for the future.
9.30pm, and the seven piece Admiral Fallow hit the stage. Well, five of them do, two could not fit on, and so they played behind the “splendid” merchandise table.
They have been compared in the past to a Scottish version of Mumford & Sons and have an already impressive gig and festival list behind them too match. Their first album 'Boots Met My Face’ is equally impressive, and the band has been championed by Guillemots’ Fyfe Dangerfield from the outset
This time around the band are playing the intimate Portland Arms in Cambridge - the 17th stop on a 34-date UK tour to promote their new record ‘Tree Bursts in Snow’, which is out on Monday 21st May
With only two days off on the whole tour, the band must be running on adrenaline. They play a tremendous 16 song, ninety minute set tonight. Dry Scottish wit leads to howls of laughter sing-a-longs, and much merriment and all this on a Monday night! All the new songs sound immediately memorable and enjoyable, so no difficult second album scenarios it seems.
This is a hard working and committed band. Brimming with talent whilst still demonstrating a touch of innocence (until the malt comes out). A band that knows how to put on a show and could potentially leave the aforementioned Mumfords, trailing in their wake.
Pete
Set:
Tree Bursts
Subbuteo
Beetle in the Box
The Paper Trench
Barren
Old Fools
Isn’t This World Enough
Four Bulbs
Dead Against Smoking
Guest of the Government
Brother
The Way You Were Raised
Oh, Oscar
-----
(not really an encore at the Portland Arms because there is nowhere to go)
Bomb Through The Town
Old Balloons
Squealing Pigs
Please let us know your views of this gig, via our Message Boards