Up the steps. Into the Box Office. On the guestlist. Not the Photopass list. Amazing.
Run into the venue looking for someone who might be a bands PR guy or band manager, ask one of the guys at the merch stall, and it turns out to be the bands managers, who goes down and sorts it for me.
Review:
As i spent a bunch of time waiting i actually came up onto the floor halfway through the first act.
Mirror Signal Manouvre. First thing i felt here was a bit of an Arctic Monkeys vibe, strong bass and drum line, and the song 'better than woodpecker' is a catchy melodic tune, but doesnt have the magic or extra something of the tunes the Arctic Monkeys produce again and again. The next song did sound prety good, as it was a cover, of 'Foundations' by Kate Nash, which they sung and played well, changing just enough for it to be worthwhile, and was probably the best of what i heard from them.
Next up. Chasing Jayne. The songs started well and got steadily better and better, more rythmn and originality coming into play, and at one point a Dragonforce-like guitar duet during "Dreams on the horizon" which was as awesome as it was unexpected. Sending a ripple throughout the crowd, and i just had to txt a couple of friends about the rockin' ear candy. As with the previous band, the best song by them on the night was a cover, but instead of a copy they got more inventive, this time 'Pokerface' by Lady Gaga. A rocked and sped up version which complimented both the band and song itself. All in all a tidy set, and im looking forward to shooting these guys again.
Chasing Jayne photoset: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=193978&id=195234445100
Final warm up were Alone tonight. With a frontman with a bit more stage presence than the other previous bands, not that the previous guys werent, he just seemed to engage more with the crowd. This is shown within the photos below. The music was pretty tight and was obviously well rehearsed, and unlike the previous bands their highlight was actually one of their own songs. 'My Best Worst Enemy' a tidy live rock song, with a strong rolling rythmn and beat.
Enter the main band. Mike Fantastic. You may have heard the name before? Where from you ask? Though they are pretty young as a band they have already been on TV. They appeared on ITVs Britains Got Talent 2010. Getting through the first round, but evenually being dropped before the semi finals which were live on ITV, where im sure they would have shone.
The first thing you notice about the band is their dress sense. Bright coloured clothes, hats and geek glasses. Mirrored by the waiting crowd as they had been selling the bright thick rimmed glasses throughout the first 3 acts sets. Next thing is the confidence of front man Owen Sheppard, who kicks out their awesome brand of self styled GUNK (Geek - Funk).
Mike fantastic come at you with downright awesome Keyboard rythmn and a pounding bassline which leads you through the set. Its like 3OH3! only alot less annoying. Crystal clear lyrics even with the distortion on the mic. I will normally choose one of the songs during a set as a highpoint, but the set was so polished and every song perfected to a T, means i cant really choose. I would just advise you to check these boys out, as its like Owl City without the depression, and who doesnt need that in their life?
i have one problem with this review, i was at this gig, and with the support acts all having totally different styles of music i feel you have a slightly biased view towards one of the bands! i also know for a fact the other two bands (MSM and AT) deserve a hell of alot more credit than you have gave them!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first comment. The gig was a great night and this was because of ALL the suport bands and a lively performance by mike fantastic!
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