Andy Lloyd-Williams
review: The Strokes – Comedown Machine
It’s really upsetting when one of your favourite bands releases something below par. The Strokes‘ 2011 album ‘Angles‘ was about as awkward, forced and unpleasant as one of Gordon Brown’s smiles. Lead singer Julian Casablancas had recorded his parts completely separately from the rest of the band, and it really showed. They rose to fame [...]
Review: Bloc Party at Southampton Guildhall
Bloc Party at Southampton Guildhall, 17 October 2012 ‘Here we go again’ the crowd thought, as Bloc Party started proceedings with the first song from their latest record. But this band has always done things in its own way, and thankfully the evening was far from the unimaginative ‘new album plod’ many large outfits playing [...]
Single Review: Woven Bird – Saw You In Two
Woven Bird make a big impression with this irresistible banjo-backed booky bumpkin-ballad. The Southampton fivesome’s debut single pivots around adventure and composure in a well-crafted three minute slice of alt-pop. Lewis Ford’s unusual pulsing banjo technique is worth a few minutes of anyone’s time; Matt Canning’s half-whispered vocals entice and intrigue, he has the voice [...]
Review: The Rifles at The Old Firestation, Bournemouth
Lad-rock yet melodic, confident but not cocky; The Rifles are at times hard to place but definitely bring something to the table. The predominantly polo-shirted blokey audience played newborn kitten to the group’s squeaky mouse toy. Parts of the set- like Eveline’s ‘clap along now, please lads’ verses- begged the crowd to get involved; other [...]
RIP Montage Populaire
Hearts sank around Southampton- and the country- on Tuesday as experimental poppers Montage Populaire announced that they had called it a day. Their Facebook page carried the following statement: “We’re laying Montage Populaire to rest. Time of death uncertain. Big love and thanks to everyone who helped and supported us over the past couple of [...]
review: The Bootleg Beatles at Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre
Two hours in the company of The Bootleg Beatles left me in no doubt that they are Rolls Royce of tribute bands. From their classic exterior of period-accurate hair and costume right through to the high-performance, pitch-perfect engine of their sound, the foursome are more than roadworthy. Just over the road from the Gaumont Cinema [...]
review: The Cast of Cheers at The Joiners
With intricate, lightning-quick guitar loops, bags of energy, a dash of synth and plenty of stagecraft, The Cast of Cheers are what nu-rave would have eventually evolved into. Fortunately there weren’t any hi-vis clad dickheads waving glowsticks at their Joiners gig, just a gathering of enthusiastic punters wishing it was the weekend. The group’s sparing [...]
review: NME Awards tour at Bournemouth O2 Academy
It feels as though I’ve aged about ten years for every NME tour I attend. The chino-clad exuberant youths at this year’s tour made my first- 2004′s bumper bill featuring Kaiser Chiefs, Futureheads, Bloc Party and The Killers- seem a lifetime ago. Nobody asked for my ID, I wasn’t thrilled to be drinking alcohol in [...]
review: Frank Turner- The Second Three Years
This is the second collection of offcuts Frank Turner has released; preserving 22 tracks which might have otherwise slipped out of view in my hard drive b-sides slushpile. I chatted to Frank before 2008′s ‘The First Three Years‘ was released and he was eager to point out that these musical anthologies are a way of [...]
review: Montage Populaire EP
Montage Populaire make me jig around the room like a string puppet. Yeah, that’s right. My strings were all tangled by the time the barnstorming ‘Nothing Serious‘ EP was over. Title track ‘Sharpening Knives‘ sets off at a fair pace- just between walking and jogging, I would say, while ‘Separate Frames‘ stops and starts like [...]
Interview Exclusive: The Ordinary Boys to record new album, says Preston
Samuel Preston is enjoying The Ordinary Boys’ reunion so much that a new album is in the pipeline. The five-piece recorded new tune ‘Run This Town’ ahead of their current UK tour and their creative juices have not stopped flowing. Speaking to Andy Lloyd-Williams ahead of their Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms show on Sunday, Preston said: [...]
The Ordinary Boys to hit Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms on Sunday
Remember The Ordinary Boys? In 2004 they were hotter than the sun as ‘Over the Counter Culture’ became an instant indie classic. Then frontman Preston mixed with the likes of Lady Sovereign and Davina McCall. Not so hot. But they say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and it is in that spirit that [...]
Review: Woven Bird takeover Pop!
For my sins I had never been to Pop! or seen Woven Bird perform live before Wednesday. Living in ‘that Lundin’ does terrible things to a man and I can only apologise to all involved. After struggling to direct the designated driver to my favourite car park (I know! Who HAS one of those?!) and [...]
Preview- Woven Bird take over Pop TONIGHT!
One of the Southampton skyline’s brightest stars is taking over city centre venue Pop (in Vernon Walk, Southampton) tonight. There is a lot of talk about Band of Skulls‘ sold out Southampton return up the road at Talking Heads but an evening with Woven Bird at Pop is just as mouthwatering a prospect. Fleeing New York [...]
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