mINtSOUTH.com

The Great Escape, Day One - Thursday 14th May 2009.
Big beards, New sounds and Free beer.

After being at a gig in Southampton the night before, I woke up buzzing and more than ready for action in Brighton for The Great Escape Festival. After stopping for a much needed sausage sandwich on the way, it started to sink in that we may not make the first act that I had planned to see, this being Mr William Fitzsimmons and I felt a little disappointed with that thought.

After finding a place to park on the sea front, which was actually relatively easy, we stomped to The Thistle Hotel on a very windy sea front to register in the press section. After being given a press pass for someone completely different, I was more than happy to comply with getting another one done, any chance to get a better picture taken. Well the second one was worse than the first…I do not have ginger hair and blue glasses, what the hell is up with their cameras?

After attempting to cover my press pass picture up with various items of clothing, we made it to the first venue, The Arc. Situated on Brighton sea front, it was a small, intimate venue. It looked like we had entered a little cave. It was dark and had arches of broken brick work, it was full of character and I liked it.

Mr Fitzsimmons graced the stage 30 minutes behind schedule, this suited the mINtSOUTH team as we were also 30 minutes behind schedule (the sausage sandwich was worth it all along).  He sat down in a small curvature with the biggest beard I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, I want to touch it. Subsequently William stated that he had been detained at Stanstead airport the day before, to be questioned for his visit to the UK. It seems facial hair may well be more trouble than its worth.

William had a soft and gentle voice and his haunting vocals suited the venue perfectly, his eyes remained closed throughout most if the set, and to be honest I’m not surprised, due to Rob taking pictures literally in his face with a flash that lit up the room and blinded everyone sat around. His tales of heartbreak, divorce and general sadness actually made the small crowd smile, he has a quality of sounding vocally beautiful with haunting lyrics. I got the impression that the audience had actually come to see Fitzsimmons play and had not just stumbled across him.

Rob at the end of the set had announced it was his ‘highlight’ of the festival so far. This was the first act we had seen Rob, calm yourself. However it was rather good, maybe he could be right?

Smiling after leaving a lovely set and a brief chat with Fitzsimmons we headed to The Queen Hotel, to check out the press area and to get a beer, now I paid for this can of Red Stripe, this wouldn’t be happening again. More on that later.

After spending an hour changing our ‘to see’ schedule as many amendments had been made on our arrival, we headed to The Thistle Hotel, and this would become our base for the next three days. I am happy to admit that I was star struck immediately, it seemed we would be hanging out with musical geniuses, minor celebrities and some rather influential people in the music industry. After being more than happy with this, we also got our first taste of free Red Stripe and some quite fantastic nibbles. Result.

Myself and the Editor, Rob, headed to the Honey Club on Brighton sea front and this is where we would spend the majority of the evening, First on stage was My Latest Novel.  Never heard of them before, and I was so pleased my ears were going to discover the sounds that they created.

A alternative indie rock group from Glasgow, they were unique in sound. Songs began with calming soothing tones from the violin and keyboard and then erupted into heavy vocals and guitars, producing songs this way it led the listener into the unknown, a musical journey where you had no idea where it was going to start or finish and what kind of tunes the band would conjure up.

The band looked seriously pissed off during their set, especially lead singer Gary. I have no idea why this was, they sounded great and the crowd really seemed to enjoy the set. Put down the water love and get some Red Stripe in ya, this will make you smile.
http://www.myspace.com/mylatestnovel

Fanfarlo were up next at The Honey Club, I was sat in a great place at the front of the stage, with my bottom resting on a table and a can of free Red Stripe. These guys I had planned to see, and I was excited. It seemed like the venue had packed out a little for this five piece London based band. Offering Pop based folk music, they all play an array of instruments and change these continually, This was ‘speed dating with instruments.’

With happy clap your hands to beats, you can tell why people love them. With their first album recently completed, I think these guys are going to do well.
http://www.myspace.com/fanfarlo

While waiting for Grammatics to come on stage, I had to endure thirty minutes of  Maps, an electronic pop band that were like a modern day Pet Shop Boys. These guys were not my cup of tea, yet I made reviewing notes just to remain a little professional. My ears made the wise choice of detaching themselves from my head and running away. I held a grumpy face throughout their whole set, although I did see that others were enjoying them, including my Editor.

A band more focused on producing sounds than vocals, I did let up on my grumpy state to bob my head along for at least one song. I am sure you Pet Shop Boys fans would love them.

At the presence of Grammatics entering the stage my ears ran back and attached themselves to my head to absorb the sounds this Leeds based band produced. The four piece group who describe their sound as 'Melodramatic Popular Song' worked hard to engage with the small audience and recommended the crowd to go and see 'Blue Roses'. Grammatics played a lot of their tracks of their debut album which was released a few weeks ago, as well as their new single 'Murder' This was also the highlight of the set for me.
http://www.myspace.com/grammatics

Well what a successful and great first day of the festival. I have learnt not to buy Red Stripe because if I am patient, free cans seem to appear in my hand. That The Thistle Hotel does amazing buffet food. That my ears had discovered My Latest Novel and they loved it, and Ginger Hair and Blue glasses is not a look I should ever consider.