A dark dingy venue is not always the ideal spot on a sunny day, but this line-up was tempting despite the potential sauna. Scholars were even better tonight than the punt showcase and despite having to replace the keyboard player with Josh covering on guitar they seemed more dynamic. Escape plan, and Turbulence were the stand out songs, and they are fast becoming the next Franz Ferdinand.
Fixers were a new band for me, so I didn’t know what to expect at all, and I have to say that after the gig I still am a bit lost! Such an eclectic mix of styles and influences it was hard to keep up. 5 part vocal Beachboys harmonics over a rock backing, Moby soundscapes with Freddie Mercury flamboyancy, ultimately the best comparison is of a new David Bowie at his most eccentric. There is no doubting the musical and vocal ability of this band, but one feels that it’s either hone in a few of the mad ideas or go the whole hog and wear starman makeup!
It has been far too long since the last Silent Film hometown gig, and they are taking the rest of the world by storm it seems. Already big in Portugal with a number 1 single and top 3 album, and about to break into the American market as well. The City That Sleeps is a masterpiece in its own right, but despite this, and the fact that there isn’t enough piano based music in the world, it somehow seemed to go almost unnoticed here. Tonight was more a showcase of new material, and perhaps showing the European influence rubbing into their established sound. Driven by Their Beating Hearts being a stand out track, more a dance pop anthem that would have won Eurovision easily! Their sound needed a bit more breathing room than the Cellar offered really, as did some of us at this point, but we look forward to the second album with eager anticipation. Wake up UK these guys are far too good to be just an export.
Trev Williams
published in OMS 10
published in OMS 10
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