Original bands, original music from Lincoln & Beyond

This City + Joe Actually + Drive By Theory + The Panic Theory

Thursday, 29 July 2010

The Bivouac

5th September 2008

Photos & Review by Charlie Cryan

It would appear leopards can change their spots as the recently not so popular Bivouac of Lincoln, opened its doors to a touching queue of hungry, young music lovers, ready and waiting to gorge on the talents of local bands Drive By Theory and Joe Actually, newly reformed The Panic Theory and visiting show stoppers This City.

Armed with new front girl Alice Banks and a loyal army of doting family, friends and fans, The Panic Theory set the night off, and with musical influences like the Sex Pistols and Damian Rice, they weren’t about to let anyone present go home disappointed.
Being Alice’s first gig, you’d expect the odd forgetting of lyrics and nervous chat between songs, yet no such things were to be found in the young punks’ set.

Being Alice’s first gig, you’d expect the odd forgetting of lyrics and nervous chat between songs, yet no such things were to be found in the young punks’ set. Alice, Tom, Richard and Pat looked right at home on stage and all four of them oozed talent and charisma. The band’s unique mix of punk rock and acoustic guitar did nothing but leave the crowd wanting more. With songs such as ’Honestly’ and ’Someone Else’, The Panic Theory could do nothing but grin with glee as they were repaid with an overwhelming wash of cheering from their ever loyal followers.

With big shoes to fill left by the opening band, next up to step into the spotlight were Lincoln locals Drive By Theory. Seemingly disheartened by the brief thinning of the crowd, their New Found Glory– like sound was as catchy and dance worthy as ever. With an ever– increasing crowd beginning to filter back up into that little room in the sky, enthusiasm began to fill the bands’ faces once again.

With writing and recording in progress for their new EP due out in late October and a twelve track album of all their previous studio recordings to be proud of, it’s not surprising that Drive By Theory can fill a room with every single person hanging on every note played and every word sang.

As the song goes, things can only go better, well the shit is hardly about to hit the fan when the next band to grace the Biv’s stage with it’s presence was the ultra energetic and just downright dirty, Joe Actually. The Lincoln lovelies Ashton, Mike, Ash and Andy had so much passion for what they do I could have fallen off my chair. Ashton had the crowd eating out the palm of his hand with his ‘look at me’ persona and gob smacking vocals.  Much of this could be said about bassist Mike, who’s voice as much to celebrate has his bass playing. Andy Wilson was a complete trooper, as he literally put his blood sweat and tears into every song he drummed.

As Joe Actually packed away their kit, a wave of check shirts and skinny jeans bowled over the eagerly waiting audience, as headliners This City entered the Bivouac. It has to be said that the Brighton five– some rose to the challenge and blew it out of the water when it came to winning over the crowd, with their mind melting guitar riffs and party- in- your- mouth lyrics. There wasn’t a sweaty head banger in the room that wasn’t screaming out for another injection of the indie meets hardcore infusion. Chris Purr wasn’t shy of the spotlight and he had the devotion of everyone from start to finish and Arran Day controlled their every movement at the pluck of a guitar string. Grant, George and Nick had the audience feeding off more vocals, bass and drums that mosh pits were breaking out for every song, a sign of affection from the young fans. This City certainly deserve their recent appearances in top music mags, Kerrang and NME, musicians take note and be inspired!

Thanks has to go to Steve Hawkins who makes all these shindigs     possible and pours so much effort into what he’s doing for the place that it would just be plain rude to say no to a night of music and madness at Lincoln’s very own Bivouac.

More pics by Charlie in The Gallery

Band Websites:

This City
Joe Actually
Drive By Theory
The Panic Theory

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