The Boston Arms – Down At The Front

British Summer Time Pop-up

Paul Hudson — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 20:52:55 +0000

The annual British Summer Time events in Hyde Park seem to get bigger each year. Advertised at the last minute was this packed programme of ‘new’ music. Sadly, it was moved at the very last minute from the park. I had been looking forward to a day out in the sun but the Boston Dome was a good substitute as it allowed them to make best use of the stage in the Boston Music room and spread the music over two stages.

Dream Wife opened the evening and went down well with audience. They’ll definitely have won over a new crowd.

Likewise Shame didn’t do themselves any harm, with an excellent set.

Moving upstairs, the Magic Gang were up next. They’re a decent fun band.

I find Spring King a bit hit and miss. They’re never bad. But sometimes I find them a bit bland. Usually it relates to the size of stage. I think it’s because their drummer is the singer. It’s fine in a small location. But in a big location there’s no ‘presence’. Tonight was a better gig. But I wish they had a traditional singer who can hold my attention

Closing the evening were one of my personal favourites, the Wytches. As expected they were on form and the young audience really went for it adding to a great atmosphere. The Wytches new material wasn’t quiet up to the material off their first album, sounding more ‘metal’ than the ‘Nirvana’. But they sound great on a big stage

Hinds at the Boston Music Room

Paul Hudson — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:06:48 +0000

Tonight was highly hyped band the Deers, no sorry, Hinds. (Due to a letter from a nasty lawyer, Deers had been forced to change their name to Hinds). One of the most fun bands I’ve seen since the Hives. They clearly just want themselves and the audience to enjoy themselves. A great performance, but I’m not sure musically they were that strong. But do they have to be when you leave the gig with a smile on your face. These girls will go down a storm on the summer festival scene.

First support bands was the Vants. Ernest rocking boys.

Thee MVP’s were the second support. Enjoyed these guys. Great energetic set

Alabama Shakes at Boston Arms

Paul Hudson — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:37:53 +0000

My aim this year is to get to more new bands. I’d listened online to a number of bands playing the HMV and NME 2012 shows. My pick were Alabama Shakes. Unfortunately their gig clashed with the Jezabels gig and I’d already purchased the tickets. So I put them on the back burner. I hadn’t realised that they were also doing two extra dates at the Boston Arms. Luckily I managed to catch a late release of tickets for the middle gig of their three night stint and I’m so glad I did.

The Alabama Shakes are not trying to do anything new. In fact their only aim appears to be to do things the way they used to be done, and to do it very well. They’re a five piece from Athens, Alabama playing blues, rock and soul music the way it used to be in the 60s and 70s.

In the lead singer Brittany Howard they have a lady with one hell of a good set of pipes. Think Janis Joplin, full-on gravelly soulful voice. This woman is the real deal. Voices like this don’t come along every day. Off course, without a good band around her, the voice wouldn’t work. Luckily, the band are good, bloody good. They’re as tight as tight can be.

These guys deserve to be big. Unfortunately, I think their sound is too retro, so I suspect they won’t be. But they now have one very big fan in me. Brilliant new band.

The Dead Weather

Paul Hudson — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:20:30 +0000

Photos on Flickr