Nambucca on Holloway Road
is fast developing a reputation as the hottest live venue for
‘next big thing’ bands. Despite the outside giving
a more 'Pork scratching’ kind of feel its fairly apparent
when you get inside that it’s actually quite the 'indie'
hangout. Big leather Chesterfield couches, a dandy stage right
at the back with plenty of space for a crowd full of ironic haircuts.
Showcase promises to be a decent night, mainly because promoter
Gregory Nolan's idea is to put on bands that deserve the exposure
as opposed to those he just managed to book. He's got Chase: The
Dragon (of KOKO fame) DJing a sturdy set including the likes of
Dustin's Bar Mitzvah and The Postal Service in between three stellar
bands Delanies, Blind Jackson and Tigermoth.
Delanies, were by far the prettiest band of the night, fronted
by Danish brothers Nich and Anders. The brothers have recently
moved over from Denmark and even more recently moved the rest
of their band over (seriously, they literally arrived about two
days before). Nobody was expecting their music to live up to their
looks, if only for the fact they had barely had a chance to practice
together. Watching them perform was a little like watching people
dancing in a club scene in Neighbours. You know the ones where
the music is dubbed in afterwards, its a little awkward to watch,
it doesn't quite fit but for some reason it just works. Great
songs, great sound, great looks…..expect to hear a whole
lot more from this exciting band in the making.
Blind Jackson came on, immediately
blasting out a sound different from all the super speed tightness
most post-Libertine bands are tied to at the moment. The keyboard
player, tight and funky supported the storming riffs and a disco
beat designed for indie ears. Great harmonies backed up the lead
singer Simon Badham as he leaped around the stage like Ian Dury.
They sound like a quirky dirty smutty version of all the new wave
you’ve been bombarded with, think rolling stones on many
E-numbers There were enough jerky sounds so the scenester girls
could do the ‘i’m-having-a-fit-but-I’m-enjoying-it-immensely’
dancing. Blind Jackson is to indie what The Crystal Maze was to
children’s T.V.
Tigermoth instantly explode
into cheery tight performance of upbeat melodies and catchy hooks
as soon as they hit the Nambucca stage. There is nothing very
original about Tigermoth, but they kept the crowd stirring through
there set, before the singer stormed off the stage near the end
refusing to return. A real rock n’ roll ending to the night
we all thought as the DJ put the music back up, until the singer
sheepishly returned for another number. They needn’t have
bothered as the sound was terrible. Ah well.
Showcase is an easy going
night with a top notch atmosphere and an impressive bookings policy.
Don’t miss the next one..
Review by Becky Nolan.
