Hoxton Bar and Kitchen – Down At The Front

Saint Agnes

Paul Hudson — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 22:25:00 +0000

I’ve already seen Saint Agnes several times this year. They’re a great live band and this was their biggest gig to date. As usual it was a energetic performance of some great ‘desert blues rock’. Support was from the Dolls and Cuts (who didn’t do much for me)

Aussie BBQ London

Paul Hudson — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 19:38:18 +0000

One of the things I liked about SXSW is the nationally supported events to promote their own music industries that take place by the likes of the UK, Ireland, Canada, France etc. One I enjoy us the ‘Aussie BBQ’. They always manage to combine some decent music with free food and beer, a combination I much approve of

I noticed that the Aussies were running one of their events in London the day after The Great Escape finished.

Although it’s not exactly on my direct route home. I took the opportunity to drop in on it as I headed back from TGE. Unfortunately, unlike SXSW equivalent, this event wasn’t free and didn’t feature any free beer or food. Also unlike the event at SXSW, there was only one stage. So there was changeover between bands. So I’m not sure it was great value for money. But it was an interesting afternoon’s diversion.

Basia Bulat

Paul Hudson — Mon, 02 May 2016 21:13:25 +0000

I’ve seen Basia a few times. I’ve always liked the simplicity when she plays on her own with just an autoharp. I caught some of her set at SXSW and was disappointed to find her playing a piano with a full band. But I thought I’d give her a try and it would also give me a chance to see the Weather Station, who’d I caught the end of their set at SXSW and quiet enjoyed what I heard.

Weather Station were as good as I remember from SXSW and it was great to see their entire set this time. Basil’s performance was also similar to SXSW. It was slightly disappointing. Not enough autoharp and too much band. Don’t get me wrong, it was still enjoyable. But I think Basia works best when she plays on her own.

Aldous Harding

Paul Hudson — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:24:07 +0000

I really loved Aldous Harding’s first album. It was one of my top albums of 2014 and I was fortunate enough to catch her perform last time she was in the UK. She has a distinctive voice and interesting songs. On stage she comes across in a passive aggressive way that appears to front her vulnerability. It all helps make performance feel convincing. In all honesty, I’m not sure how much of this is an act. But the way she played with her mic stand throughout the gig suggests at least some of the vulnerability in her performance isn’t. Clearly the audience felt that way too. I’ve never seen the crowd in this venue be so quiet and rightly so. It was a beautiful performance. Finished off with a pretty amazing cover version of ‘Run to the Hills’ by Kate Bush.

Support was from Stranded Horse.

Goldray

Paul Hudson — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 19:02:39 +0000

A decent random gig with a flamboyant performance from Goldray and some excellent psych from Frankie Teardrop Dead. Opensight also played a more traditional heavy rock set. Though proficient, they didn’t really appeal to me.

Frankie Teardrop Dead

Goldray

La Luz

Paul Hudson — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:32:31 +0000

Bit of a random gig. I was in London during the day, so thought I’d find a gig in the evening. I’d heard that La Luz put on a really good show last year. So I thought I’d give them a try. Although I enjoyed the gig, I wasn’t won over by them. Though the performance was good that included the girls crowd surfing but I actually preferred the support group Night Shade who I thought had a great ‘Shadows-like’ guitar sound.

The Ukrainians and a history of rock music

Paul Hudson — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:47:46 +0000

The Ukrainians are a guilty pleasure. They’re a decent band, but they’re also edging towards being a novelty act. As an offshoot of the Wedding Present, they play music in a traditional Ukrainian style. Their current album is ‘A history of rock music in Ukrainian’ and this kind of illustrates my point. An album of (good) cover versions. Tonight they played songs from this album which covers the last 70 years of rock and roll in their own inimitable style. Is it any good? Not sure. Is it good fun. Hell, yes, and that after all is what matters.

Tatcho Drom supporting the Ukrainians

The Ukrainians

Bo Ningen

Paul Hudson — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 21:32:19 +0000

When you go to a Bo Ningen gig, you know two things. It’s going to by loud and frantic and you know they will put in a 100% effort. I’ve only ever seen them put in 100%. Tonight was no different. Another energetic, anarchic set with a few new songs that sounded great. Excellent set.

Support came from Fafanu and Grim Grim.

Grimm Grimm

Fufanu

Bo Ningen

The Fauns

Paul Hudson — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:19:12 +0000

Great evening of shoegaze at Hoxton Square from the Fauns. It’s the first time of seen them and they were a great little band. I also liked the first support art Venus Lyx. The singer had a great raspy voice

Venus Lyx

Cold Ocean Lies

The Fauns

Taman Shud

Paul Hudson — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:49:25 +0000

I’d tried to catch Taman Shud last year. I’d seen a video of one of their performance on Facebook and loved the intensity of it. So I took the opportunity to catch them as part of the Artrocker evenings at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen.

In the flesh, they do have a great intensity. They’ve got a very heavy dark psych sound. I enjoyed their performance and would have preferred to have seem them in an even smaller venue with a big crowd.

Next up were the Asylums with a hyperactive lead singer. I’m not sure I actually liked their music. But I really enjoyed their performance. There’s no way these guys would short change an audience.

Last up were CuT who seemed to have quiet a devoted following. Didn’t quiet work for me.