Blank + Dark Mantra + Retro Set + Bootleg Sunday + Jack Hobson |
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| Aurora @ The Duke Of Wellington
17 April 2010
Photos & Review by Pete |
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Fantastic to see a good turnout at The Duke tonight. And well done to Dawn and her hard-working Aurora Promotions team for keeping gigs going at this much-loved venue. Ok, it's a bit of a dump but with such a unique legacy of so many decades of music-filled, sweaty nights this old place has the depth of soul a new venue just couldn't buy however much cash they had to splash.
I arrived too late to catch opener, solo acoustic performer Jack Hobson and just starting up on stage were Billy, Tom and Paddy of Bootleg Sunday. Responding to complaints from bands the promoter pointed out that no pictures/video could be taken without express permission from band members (or their parents or guardians if they are under 18) so I've nothing to show of this band or the next while still in shock. But hey, worse things happen in life. Heavy and intense, sometimes sparse, Bootleg Sunday did well to cope with one or two technical problems - which Aurora herself did her best to resolve, niftily swopping microphones mid-song. A young outfit who have an interesting look - a very cool looking lead singer - but I gotta say it was not a sound I could quite get my head around. 'Consequences' being an exception, a simple but massive song structure that was full of irresistible and impressive power.
Retro Set have a stripped back rock sound drawing key influences from the 60's and 70's. The electric guitar playing from James Spring supplied some tidy riffs and was highly effective in leading a band that despite being formed only very recently work well together
As is her way, promoter Dawn comperes the bands on, with a few well chosen words bigging each band up so self-esteem is on a high and they are raring to go. Dark Mantra got her accolade of having been on a wish list for four years 'and tonight they are in my grasp'. Having your musical ability appreciated so publicly must be a fine feeling and no doubt about it this three piece have deservedly earned a cult status as guys who can play. Connoisseurs of musicianship in the crowd were soon all squeaky and finding themselves writhing to some outstanding playing. From heavy metal to jazz, blimey it's all in here. Alex, John and Rob deliver pull together a maelstrom of legendary rock sounds and bring them into new focus. Up close stage-side taking some photos (nothing any good tonight, soz) I was particularly impressed by the bass playing, which was lively and free while never losing track of the non-stop powerhouse performance of stick work behind. A dramatic backdrop for that near legendary lead guitar virtuosity up front that just takes the breath away at times.
Headliners Blank have seemingly got most of the sixth form of their school, their families, their friends and yeah, a fair few some hard core fans they've accumulated along the way during their year or so together. In fact it was practically like a whole changeover in audience moving in to replace the previous one as they were setting up. Everyone was clearly happy and up for a good time and the band quickly responded to the fact that people were pushing up close to the stage, not hiding thirty feet away in the shadows. A stunning composite of punk and post-punk there's a whole lot to engage body and soul in this band's sound. They don't know it yet but one day when looking back in a few years time after their lives have moved on, they'll realise that having been part of this band was something to be really proud of. .
Some more photos at www.shinephoto.plus.com website.
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Band Websites: |
Blank |
and are surprisingly cohesive, with a finely balanced feel. Also having a decent vocal helps give credibility. 
This page was last updated Monday, 19 April 2010
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