Hiya peaches, just like September these past two months has been jam packed with gigs, new releases and all sorts of indie goodness. To kick off October I went to The Joiners (I've been there so much lately, what a great venue) to see Superfood for the third time this year. After going to their sold out show at The Dome in London and on the Festival Republic stage at Reading Festival, hearing them in a venue with a capacity of just under 200 was a completely different dynamic, yet they still had the intimate but dedicated crowd in the palm of their hands. Even though every time I hear the new set it sounds like the first time the support bands are what really stuck out for me at this gig. One band in particular, who I also saw supporting Get Inuit and The Big Moon and The Loft a week later, were 'Nu-eyed-Soulful', psychedelic funk trio Barbudo (more about them later).
I hadn't listened to Get Inuit a lot before The Loft and I was so surprised at how animated the lead singer was (honestly he's just like a coming of age cartoon character from the 80's (does that make sense?)). As much as I now adore the band, I can't stand the new name change. I'm sorry but Indoor Pets is genuinely a wank name. I rate 2/10. Of course The Big Moon completely sold the show, playing all their bangers from their Mercury Prize nominated album Love In The 4th Dimension, as well as a drunken cover of Total Eclipse Of The Heart. The one thing I didn't enjoy about this gig, even though the crowd were game for it, the venue wouldn't allow crowd surfing or getting on shoulders; which rather spoiled my experience considering I'm a 5"2 gal surrounded by giants.
Next on the agenda was another trip to The Joiners to see Inheaven who I also saw at Reading and blew me away. The crowd was surprisingly small considering the sizes they pulled in at this summer's festivals, but still the small amount of fans who were there made it a gig to remember (especially the drunk guy who climbed on stage, knocked over the rose decorated mic stands and passed out behind the drum kit mid song. Also happy birthday to who ever that was). Wrapping up the tour that night, they were supported by Bloxx and gritty rock quartet who I actually forgot that I'd seen before, King Nun.
I went back home to Cambridge for the first time since moving to Southampton for a particularly special gig. Thank you to everyone who came to see Violet Flares at The Blue Moon in which we travelled from literally all over the country to play. Hosted by R*E*P*E*A*T Records and Fanzine, we supported The Baby Seals and Beverley Kills for their joint flexi-disc launch. It was pretty convenient that this was also the same weekend as Cambridge Oxjam Festival which meant I was able to see Maverick debut two new tracks at their ARU set, as well as Deep City who have just released their new single L.O.V.E with a new EP coming soon.
Coming back to Southampton I got off the train and went straight to see Pale Waves with support from (again) King Nun. Seeing them again within the space of a week just cemented them as one of my favourite bands at the moment. It was a sell out gig, but I have to admit Pale Waves didn't really do much for me. Even though I've loved the tracks the have online, it felt rather repetitive and their extremely short set felt like it wasn't worth it.
The next gig was a free one at The Loft which was full of bands that I'd never heard of before, and purposely went in not having a pre-listen so I could get what they were all about first hand. Gladly, I was not disappointed. Both female fronted, Yonaka and Anteros had 100% stolen my heart. I can't recommend enough how good free gigs are even if you don't have clue is playing.
Fast Forward to November, and I had such a blast at Girli @ Purple Turtle, Reading on her HOT MESS Tour. This was the first time I'd been to the city out of festival season so it was rather strange everyone around me being, normal. At the gig I ran into Josh, the bassist from Anteros which was super cool considering they've been on my repeat since their October gig. Comparing to when I'd seen her in April this year, the new songs, routines and her unique energy that she brings to the stage was as jaw dropping as ever. Also Purple Turtle is now one of my favourite venues whether that be for a gig or a mad night out after (the drum and bass cellar was an absolute mad one).
Tracks
Barbudo - Sxc
It's a band like this that I could imagine playing in the background of a romantic dinner date in the heart of the city (I'm more of a beer and Wetherspoons kinda gal to be honest but never mind). From south coast town Havant, these guys are the apex of soul-fuelled funky/sexy beats. They released their six track EP Pleasures in September and sounds just as good live as it does on the record. Sxc is silky smooth and sensual, and sounds a little like a tasteful soundtrack to an erotic film.
Links
Dates:
25th Nov - The White Rabbit, Bristol
28th Nov - The Shacklewell Arms, London
2nd Dec - The Victoria, London
Yonaka - Bubblegum
This Brighton based dark-alt-pop band released their new EP 'HEAVY' at the start of October and has been exceedingly popular, featuring on the Spotify Hot New Bands playlist. Just finishing a tour of Europe, they came back halfway through October to do a five date free tour with Anteros and Stereo Honey. The entire EP is moving yet relentless with heavy riffs and riotous vocals from front-woman Theresa Jarvis. Bubblegum uses creative sculptured sampling throughout, blding with punk-esque guitar riffs. This is currently my get-ready song for when I need to get pumped for the sesh.
Links
Dates:
King Nun - Sponge
This four piece from London who signed to Dirty Hit last year have mastered the gritty alt-indie banger with their most melodic single Sponge. The track has a beaut blend of clean/distorted guitar rhythms and lethargic vocals about constantly transforming into someone else and accidentally picking up unwanted character traits (essentially, soaking it up like a sponge). This band have really stood out for me this month due to how energetic and dynamic their live performances were, recovering effortlessly from broken guitars to 'technical difficulties'.
Dates
4th December - DIY Class of 2018, The Borderline, London
11th December - Supporting Indoor Pets (Get Inuit), The Old Blue Last, London
Deep City - L.O.V.E.
After seeing this guys multiple times over the past year and hearing them finish their sets with this track, I was so happy when they finally released it even if it is one of their oldest songs to date. L.O.V.E. is the first track off their highly anticipated upcoming EP 15:16 which is out on the 15th of December. The track is dreamy and synthy and like an cinnamon bun in music form (does that make any sense at all ???), taking influence from the likes of The 1975 and Pale Waves. The track is currently at number three in the NMG Unsigned Chart so vote for them HERE to keep them in!
Dates
8th December - The Corner House, Cambridge
15th December - Fiver @ The Junction, Cambridge
26th January - BurySound 2018 Heat One, The Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds
Anteros - Bonnie
I must admit, when I ran into Josh at the Girli gig and realised who he was, I had to use all the restraint in my midget bod not to start fan girling. Anteros are just one of those bands that I'm making everyone i know listen to right now. The track Bonnie came out at the end of last month and is an ode to girl power, pushing the idea of working together instead of against each other. It's super upbeat and always puts me in a great mood, kinda like a love child of Blondie and The Cure but more of their own thing entirely, although it definitely has the NEW new wave sound to a T. Last week they released the music video which includes gorgeous contemporary choreography, the iconic Repton Boxing Club, a shit ton of roses, and front woman Laura Hayden's adorable pug Frida in a chicken costume (what more could you want?!)
Dates
4th February - Jimmys, Manchester
I went back home to Cambridge for the first time since moving to Southampton for a particularly special gig. Thank you to everyone who came to see Violet Flares at The Blue Moon in which we travelled from literally all over the country to play. Hosted by R*E*P*E*A*T Records and Fanzine, we supported The Baby Seals and Beverley Kills for their joint flexi-disc launch. It was pretty convenient that this was also the same weekend as Cambridge Oxjam Festival which meant I was able to see Maverick debut two new tracks at their ARU set, as well as Deep City who have just released their new single L.O.V.E with a new EP coming soon. 
It's a band like this that I could imagine playing in the background of a romantic dinner date in the heart of the city (I'm more of a beer and Wetherspoons kinda gal to be honest but never mind). From south coast town Havant, these guys are the apex of soul-fuelled funky/sexy beats. They released their six track EP Pleasures in September and sounds just as good live as it does on the record. Sxc is silky smooth and sensual, and sounds a little like a tasteful soundtrack to an erotic film. 
I must admit, when I ran into Josh at the Girli gig and realised who he was, I had to use all the restraint in my midget bod not to start fan girling. Anteros are just one of those bands that I'm making everyone i know listen to right now. The track Bonnie came out at the end of last month and is an ode to girl power, pushing the idea of working together instead of against each other. It's super upbeat and always puts me in a great mood, kinda like a love child of Blondie and The Cure but more of their own thing entirely, although it definitely has the NEW new wave sound to a T. Last week they released the music video which includes gorgeous contemporary choreography, the iconic Repton Boxing Club, a shit ton of roses, and front woman Laura Hayden's adorable pug Frida in a chicken costume (what more could you want?!) 
