Tom House was excellent on the guitar, his songs were sincere and heartfelt. His drum machine joined in ably for a few, and even when it failed him just before his final number, Tom, here playing under the name The Plummets, delivered an assured drum-less version instead.
I then went and had a conversation so I only caught a fraction of the 2nd band. Sorry the 2nd band. But it was a good conversation.
21 Crows had the guy from Planquez on lead songs. He made a comment about being cast out into the Atlantic which really cut through! I liked Dom’s guitar playing and Andy on bass was measured and solid. The accordian was tastefully deployed.
Throughout their set there was a projector running with some slides shone onto the back wall. I liked the boat one best there, and the one of the yellow and green countryside too.
Headquarters at Unfest, Tunbridge Wells earlier this year. Photo by Pete Luff Headquarters. What can you say about Headquarters? Such a consistently entertaining band! Each member of this five-piece is equally deserving of praise for their contribution to the show.
Phil G plays funky bass and delivers withering comments thru the microphone. Leon answers with a disgustingly diverse range of tones, both vocally and with his blues-y shredding.
Luke throws down unbelievable licks like packs of cards. Soulful keys from Nicky P. While drummer James, as I should have said before, is an integral performer.
Their show got off at a rolling, meditative but menacing pace, each instrument layering over the others, weaving a tapestry. They built to a hellish, dirty funky climax.
The wide onstage sound demonstrated perfectly the interplay between instruments, as they systematically made way for each other.
Between bands, Colin, the show’s mastermind, played Leonard Cohen and Popcorn btb. And wore a bobble hat.
Even what I saw of the second band was good, come to think of it, they had three drummers and instruments like school recorders and little xylophones. I like that sort of thing. They had an abstract appeal.
It was at Green Door Store, under the station, Brighton.
I ate a pack of crisps on the way home. And drank a can of Coke.
14/12/11
