Bands I liked

Adrian Crowley, Mary and the Pigeons, Radie Peat, Idles, Sofasonic. Saint Leonard’s Horses, Ed Dowie, Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble, Gill Sandell, Alev Lenz, Angèle David-Guillou, Enderby’s Room, She Drew a Gun, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Mammoth Penguins, Milky Wimpshake, September Girls, The Proper Ornaments, Tigercats, Chorusgirl, Spook School, Joanna Gruesome, Martha, Freak, Black Honey, British Sea Power

Bands that were okay

Brigid Mae Power, Dinges, Krammers, John Hassall, Kite Base, Circa Waves, Jess Bryant, Pete Astor, Piney Gir, Samantha Whites, Michael J Sheehy, Anna Pancaldi, Bahboon, No Cars, The Tomboys, Natalie McCool, Healyum, Marvin Powell, Bearsuit, Evans the Death, USA Nails, Dairy Classics

Bands I won’t be going out of my way to see again

Martin Dubna, Sonic Kimono, Hope

Best Gig

March was a sad month as it saw the closure of Fortuna Pop!. The gigs celebrating Fortuna Pop! were excellent. But the gig of the month has to be a new band, Idles. They’re easily the most exciting band I’ve seen for a few years.

Best new band

Idles

Albums of the Month

• Volcano – Temples
• Brutalism – Idles
• A Pink Sunset for No One – Noveller
• Flying Microtonal Banana – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
• Condition – Spectres
• The Navigator – Hurray for the Riff Raff
• Let the Dancers Inherit the Party – British Sea Power

Best photo

Bill Botting from Allo Darlin’ followed with a very Allo’ Darlin’ sounding set. This was in part due to the fact that his sister was providing the female vocals, often singing in a similar way to how Allo’ Darlin’ sound. It was all fine.

The next act, Pete Astor, was okay. But I have to admit, writing this a few days later, I can’t really remember too much about him. I enjoyed it at the time. But sadly, his music didn’t make enough of an impact on me.

I’d seen Evans the Death a few weeks ago. I wasn’t too struck by them. I think the problem is the singer. I’m not convinced by her. I thought she put a better performance in this time. The vocals weren’t hampered by her having run up the stairs because she was late for the set. So at times were actually pretty good. But their sound requires ‘more energy’ and at times she’s just too rooted to the spot.

Finally it was Simon Love and A Little Orchestra. This was a lovely little set. As a contrast to Evans, Simon had a great relaxed stage presence. Constantly quipping with his orchestra and to the audience. His material was sweary and really fun.

Unfortunately, the Shacklewell was again running late and I could see from my phone app that there were some train cancellations. So I decided not to take a chance that somehow the Shacklewell would make up the hour or so it was running late, and that the trains would run okay throughout the evening and decided to cut my losses. I was having to get up early the next day anyway to catch a train to Edinburgh. So sometimes it’s best to take the easy option.

First up was Fulhäst. A Danish band. It was a really interesting session. The singer sang in a conversational way so song became stories. The first few were kind of depressing talking about a breakup. The set could have been a disaster. Error riddled really doesn’t adequately describe the set. But the singer caried off every mistake with the right level of self deprecating humour which made just made it all endearing.

Next up were Evans the Death. Unfortunately, they simply didn’t work for me. The singer had just ran up the stairs because she was late and she seemed to struggle for the first few songs. I also didn’t like the way every song ‘just finished’. I don’t think a single song had a adequate ending. Not for me.

Finally, was a band from Durham, Martha. It turns out I’d seen them a few years ago supporting Allo Darlin’ and I’d enjoyed their set. Tonight was no different. They’re kind of ‘Blink 182’ but with an endearing quality.