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Local act Guild's sound is built around Keane meets 13 Senses keyboard led melodies. With songs like 'Live To Rock' they veer from comforting pub songs with a dash of eccentricity to gentle songs with an Irish folk leaning. On 'Wait Of Night' they show their darker side with an endlessly spiralling wall of noise that recalls Jeff Buckley's 'Kangaroo'. Ending on 'Good Call', a stomping Doves style song with a gospel like ending they win the crowd over, the sound of exciting things to come.
Curbar's brand of spiky punk pop gets the crowd all hot under the collar. Packing out the small room the temperature starts to soar with the Razorlight intro and and knife edged vocals of 'Time On Hands'. The danger fuelled hooks of 'Come On' follow and soon every foot in the place is tapping. The 'Importance Of Being Important' has a kick like a good dose of firewater in the blood "we're more important than you" they scream, and it seems for once their arrogance is justified. The energy of 'Vulnerable' and a move down tempo on 'Child Like Photo' hides an angry rumbling undertone that winds the crowd up to breaking point. This band is like a drug fix, after you come back ready for more.
Using some of the better bits of the 80's The Cinematics put a sharper spin on things. With twangier bass lines than Ann Widdecombes knicker elastic the shimmy in on 'Trapped'. Comparisons to The Cure are justified with the howling vocals of 'Devils In My Soul'. Confessing after the gig to feeling a bit lost on the main stage, The Cinematics are anything but, singer Scott lazily spitting out vocals on 'Be In The World' like someone completly at home. The crowd seems nervous to venture forward, huddling towards the back of the venue like doe eyed cattle. The jagged guitars of 'Chase' slink out, cutting the air with a carving knife, but have a softer side that gradually lures people in. 'Just Like You' energetic punk-laden rant, bounces into the Modest Mouse quirkiness of 'Fall'. Final parting shot, 'Wake Up' is has a funky, raspy edge, aimed straight for the heart of the indie disco crowd. With no immediate plans to record an album and single on the drawing board The Cinematics are not ready to be the next "Best New Band" just yet, but with a nice guy attitude and killer hooks when their ready, the world will definitely be holding it's breath.
Ed, Steve and Matt, known to some as ESM are a band without a name. Heartbreaking acoustic country tinged tracks like 'Fear Of Falling' draw you in without question, 'Closer' is like the sound of love cracking under the strain. Sounding world weary on 'Caught In The Shadows' hints of John Martyn start to come through. As people start to clamour for a better look 'Undone' floats out, like a call from he other side of the world. With elements of Death Cab For Cutie and British Sea Power ESM songs have a shambling innocence that has hearts breaking all over the place.
New York's Ambulance Ltd play a highly anticipated set of sunshiny mellow pop songs and star spangled indie. Labelled as shoe gazers their influence seems to spread much further, from Beatlesesque pop of 'Anecdote' to the brooding country twang of 'Sugar Pill'. The distorted guitars and synths of 'Stay Where You Are' are full of nerve jangling tension. With some songs having the BB King style blues, while others sound like the last dance at the OK Corral, Ambulance Ltd sound more Deep South at times than NYC. Songs like 'Michigan' and forthcoming single 'Primitive The Way I Treat You' hide an aggressive, relentless edge under a gentle shimmering exterior. Each song has so many elements to it, that every time you look, something new reveals itself. Ambulance Ltd are definitely a band where it pays to look below the surface. 'Yoga Means Union' hides sounds that would sound perfect on a breezy, summery day. Encore 'Heavy Lifting' sounds more like a jamming session, more free, with more of a swagger in its step. Their influences may well be steeped in the 70's,but Ambulance Ltd are definitely a band for now.
