More about: The Velvet HandsThis FeelingThe Estevans

Walking into a This Feeling club night, you know exactly what to expect. But aside from energetic live shows and the whiff of Red Stripe, the solidarity that unites everyone involved is perhaps the most poignant piece of the This Feeling puzzle.

With no live shows this Spring due to COVID-19, Gigwise is bringing you a collection of covers from the bands who were meant to be performing for TF over the coming months. 

Harnessing their sense of community spirit, founder Mikey Jonns says of the collaborative project: “All these bands were due to play for us this Spring in grassroots venues and whilst clearly that's not happened, it hasn't stopped This Feeling band’s sense of community and spirit, as well as supporting the venues they were due to play (almost all are under threat). Stay at home, get in the zone and if you can please help save the UK's grassroots circuit by chipping in whatever you can. Mikey X”

Today The Velvet Hands and The Estevans step up to the challenge…

Gigwise: Tell us about the band you're covering…

The Velvet Hands: The Estevans, saw them on This Feeling posters, checked them out, and loved the new single so had to do a little cover of their new single.

G: How has coronavirus impacted your plans? 

TVH: We were supposed to be on tour and had a lot of festivals and exiting bits and bobs planned. Getting stuff done still though, stops us thinking about everything going wrong.

G: How have you adapted to the situation?

TVH: We’re writing a lot, doing videos breaking down our songs, getting plans together. In a weird way it’s been quite constructive!

G: What’s your best This Feeling memory?

TVH: If you can remember a This Feeling night, you weren’t there.

G: What does 'The Zone' mean to you?

TVH: It means the world. Wherever we go it’s just bunch of mates hanging out and playing large tunes, it really is a special thing.

And over to The Estevans…

Gigwise: Tell us about the band you're covering… 

The Estevans: Hadn’t heard any of their tunes prior to this but can safely say that they write good songs and are going down a similar route we are which is good to see.

G: How has coronavirus impacted your plans? 

TE: It has been a big fucking blockade for our plans, all the gigs have been cancelled and the studio sessions too but it’s just getting us more gassed for when we do eventually end up going back on the road.

G: How have you adapted to the situation? 

TE: We don’t have anything but garage band to demo with but we’re still making it work, I mean they sound shit but the creative process is still intact which is the most important thing. 

G: What’s your best This Feeling memory?

TE: There are quite a lot we’ve had over the last couple of years but to name a few, our first ever This Feeling show in Camden at The Monarch was a great night, the This Feeling tent at Isle Of Wight Festival playing the indie bangers till 2am and our most recent headline show at Boileroom in Guildford on the Alive Tour was a special night. 

G: What does 'The Zone' mean to you?

TE: Redstripe, mosh pits and Jeff Moh.

More about: The Velvet HandsThis FeelingThe Estevans