Saturday 14th March 2015
Original Bands Showcase
at The Musician
On stage tonight: Aztec Temples, Little Dead Town, Heavy Town (guest band), Last Half, Beneath The Lights and We Are Puzzles.
Returning from his week-long stay with Richard III, Trevor Locke catches up with music and tackles the back-log of reviews (Saturday 28th)
This was one of the first-round heats of the OBS. When I arrived at The Musician I found people queueing to get in. Must be a good night, I thought. True enough; the place looked crowded all night.
Aztec Temples
Photo RhinoFeroSs photography
The first slot can be a challenging one; the room might not have warmed up; people are still chatting to their friends or waiting at the bar for a drink. Happily Leicester band Aztec Temples got the show off to a resounding start. I saw this band when they played recently at The Shed on 7th March. The four-piece band played an engaging set of songs which they delivered with verve and commitment. A solidly good vocal line was well supported by the guitar players and the drummer. Musically they occupy a position around indie and pop, often referred as ‘alternative’ and thus equipped I think this will be become one of the popular bands of the year. They drew a warm response from the audience. With original songs like Made his deal, Everywhere I Go, World is turning and Down By The River, my hunch is that this is a band that will be giving people the kind of music they are keen to hear.
Follow Aztec Temples on Facebook
Little Dead Town
Apparently this band was here tonight playing their first ever gig! If that was true, then they certainly plunged in at the deep end. But what a way to start – a room of people who are fans of rock music and one of the most acclaimed music venues in Leicester. Little Dead Town launched themselves into musical space and were soon orbiting planet Leicester with some astronomically good sounds. The superbly good voice of their lead singer was backed by solidly good musicianship from the other members of the band to provide us with an offering of melodic songs fueled by plenty of passion. I heard some seriously good stuff from this band tonight.
Heavyball
Tonight’s guest band had come to Leicester from London, although they had originated in Nottingham. The band’s set of infectious songs, plied with copious quantities of fast-paced rhythms, went down well with the crowd.
Last Half
The drama and impact of the music of Last Half was astonishing. Possibly the heaviest sound of the night, this band projected a spectacular level of sound that glittered with guitar lines and the powerful vocals of their lead singer. His voice was distinctive – somewhat rough and gravelly – but well suited for the style of music they were playing. All the band members performed with considerable commitment and passion. It was a spell-binding set.
Beneath The Lights
Photo RhinoFeroSs
Many times before, BTL had wowed us with their music. Now one of Leicester’s most celebrated bands, seeing them on successive occasions has convinced me, and many other people besides, that this is a band that has a lot going for it. Tonight they were on top form (so nothing new there then) and their memorable songs, charged-up stage craft and soaring guitar arpeggios played over a thundering backline made BTL’s set the highlight of the night. They have it all. Music that fizzes, a set of their own songs (that often confuses me because I think they are playing covers) and a stage show that bursts with excitement. This is one band that knows how to make music really live. Excellent.
Photo RhinoFeroSs
Beneath The Lights on Facebook
We Are Puzzles
I have seen this band before; a good choice to round off a night of quality musical experiences. With their set of feverishly good beats and melodies, they turned the end of the night into a party, fueling the crowd with plenty of ear-licking sounds. They combined good music with an eye-catching performance that projected enough energy into the room to get many of the audience dancing. Beneath The Lights might have been a hard act to follow, but this band was undaunted by that and gave us a set that really rocked out the room.
Follow We Are Puzzles on Facebook.
Photo RhinoFeroSs
Another supremely good night of music here at The Musician. Five bands all with music that was well worth listening to; and given the small amount of the ticket charge, it was a good-value night of entertainment. OBS is a brand you can trust; it provides nights that you can trust to provide you with quality music and at The Musician the sound-system is as good as the beer. The audience stuck around for the entire show (not something that always happens in every venue, so an added bonus) and I know from what people said to me that was one gig that would be remembered.
The winner was Beneath The Lights who will play at the semi-finals of the OBS. Aztec Temples have been chosen to play at the Callbacks.
Photo RhinoFeroSs
See also:
Our round-up of live music in March.
Photos from the OBS held on the 13th March
Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls at The Musician
Beneath The Lights – feature article
Our photographer RhinoFeroSs took many more pictures at tonight’s show. Additional copies are available from MIL for a small handling fee.
