Finally! I get to review a gig at my favourite Bristol venue - THEKLA! Why is it so good? Well, its a tiny stage that gets a massive range of bands to play; from acts that still think its a big stage, to genuinely big names (I've seen Calvin Harris there, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? are set to play soon!)
Unfortunately though, I have to start the review badly. First support act, This Is My Normal State, are the most over-equipped, under-talented band I've ever seen. Gleefully misunderstanding the point of the atmospheric/shoegaze/epic indie thing, instead they just sound like a sterile kit-demo at a NAMM* boothe.
Now bands using computers is fine. I mean it makes sense; it opens up a world of possibilities, and if I ever get my act together and write anything I will probably be relying on Ableton to do a live show. But when I watch the show, I don't want to hear the click track for god's sake! And why does a band that's doing a 30 minute set at the front of the bill, having just recorded their 1st EP, need over a grands' worth of radio in-ear monitoring systems?
If this band were pumping out really amazing, life changing sounds I'd forgive them being tooled-up to the teeth... but instead, with a disappointing vocalist, a completely redundant cellist, and a guitarist who looks and acts like the kind of guy who does the band around his tech-support day job, these guys just reek undeserved ego. If you want to see this done properly, check out A Genuine Freakshow, or maybe The Big Pink.
Next up, and by complete contrast, were the lovely Blue Roses. From something sterile and techy, we move to something that couldn't be more grass-roots and natural. While not really breaking much new ground, the folky/blues thing is done very well here. Lovely vocals, with firm harmonies... I can see this young woman having at least one song that could become very dear to you.
It seems rude to say so much less about an act that I enjoyed than an act I didn't, but I want you to go and check out Blue Roses, and discover them for your self. Let's just say that this was a confident, disarming performance that will stay with me for a while. Check her out!
As I already said, I love Thekla. But Thekla, it seems, does not love St. Vincent. I've never seen so many things go wrong in a set; 2 broken strings, monitors not working and at least one amp not working properly... But still this is a tightly controlled set. Good for her.
St. Vincent (aka. Annie Clark and her 4 piece band) bring a refreshingly up-beat vibe to a room housing not a few gloomy hipsters**. Onstage, it's big grins a-plenty, as the band play out each funky, minimalist tune. Clark's sparkling guitar tones cut through well, and just as well because it's quite impressive playing.
Her band has a violinist and one guy who is an entire wood-wind section! They both use sampling/loop pedals to make themselves sound much bigger than they are, and the result is a lovely sound that's full and shimmering. Vocal harmonies are amazing aswell, with a full 4 part accapella section rounding off the main body of the set sounding so tight and well rehearsed it beggars belief.
After the second broken string, I felt that a bit of that buzz and enthusiasm may have escaped the band, but on the whole I'd say this was to be expected. This was still a really exciting set, and I'll be checking out her records soooon!
Thanks for reading!
Chris/Audio Bigot
xx
*Non-nerd translation: An international Expo, where music hardware/software manufacturers come to show of their latest variation on the loop-pedal/electronic drum kit/whatever...
**I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw a guy in a tweed suit, frilly shirt and a cool hair-do retrieve his vintage suitcase from behind the bar; much to the bemusement of the barman.
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