Turning up early enough to support the first support, because I'm like that.
Drums and three guitars. When the lead guy said "We're all ghosts" I don't know what he was going on about. Only later when I asked around did I figure out he actually said "We're called Ghost." Pfft. We're All Ghosts would've been a better name. These guys look new. They came on to an intro of 8bit nintendo music, they played, they didn't say much. Didn't look impressive. Guys try to pull some rock poses, mostly unsuccessfully. But they sounded good, so they're already more than halfway there. Stomping, mostly instrumental rock tunes. Would be interesting to keep an eye out on this lot further down the line. Overall, a band with great potential and a job well done, I'd say.
At least Ghost upstaged the next band, in my books. Bit By Bats had radio airplay and has got a bit of a loyal following. People standing around up front waiting for the lads to come on. But I don't see it. And they've got drum pads and theremin, those who know me knows I'm a sucker for that shit. I'm always up for some live theremin action. But to have a theremin and still leave me unimpressed, that's unprecedented, but it happened tonight. Bit By Bats, didn't feel for it.
Howling Bells. The new album's really got to me. Been clocking up many revolutions in my hi-fi. Always loved Waikiki, but they've just stepped things up to the next level. Yes, it can be kitschy, but personally I'm all for a band showing up in a coordinated dress code. Anything's better than looking like you belong in Ghost. Typical rock band instruments plus a sampler and drum pads cuing up some loops of feedback, noise, and stomping drums samples. Think they practically played every song on the album, which they can afford to do seeing as it is such a solid recording. There was also an impressive non album tune, something about "dreamt of rising waters", and an impromptu Dolly Parton cover. Of course, Juanita was cute as a button and had my heart melting with her hips swaying and sly whispering here and there. There's been some mixed reviews of their live performances, but tonight the whole band sounds pretty spot on and I doubt anyone left disappointed.
Lovely to see in this age of pop idol a band can still sell out a venue on a school night. I actually didn't expect a turnout anywhere near as healthy as this.