Bluebottle Kiss, Straight to Video, Little Ice Age
Jive
Sat 19 August



Why, oh why weren't you there to see Little Ice Age? Only about 20 or so people can answer that question in the acceptable fashion, replying with something in the vein of "I was there and they were hot." Little Ice Age's blend of pop-rock seasoned with the slightest touch of melancholy is indeed quite amazing, drawing the listener in, slowly building the tension and making something quite special in the end. Playing a suitably long set, Little Ice Age were tight, enchanting and enthralling. So now you know.

And then came Straight To Video. Cranking their amplifiers to the Spinal Tap-deafening level of 11, Straight To Video were immediately loud, brash and fun. It was an interesting combination of support bands, with both differing styles not exactly complementing Bluebottle Kiss, although the quality of the music certainly did. Straight To Video were relentless fun, looking great on stage, relaxed, confident and entertaining.

A still-pitifully-sized crowd (although now at least triple the number from the start of the evening) greeted Bluebottle Kiss, who promptly addressed the crowd with a rousing reply of greeting in the form of Everything Begins And Ends At Exactly The Right Time.

The sound mix was great - the band being loud without being overbearing and the vocals and guitars sounding awesome. Front-man Jamie Hutchings was a little under the weather going into the show, however, on stage he looked anything but. You don't get a smile from Hutchings too easily on stage, so that positive facial expression combined with a decent amount of crowd banter meant both he and the band were most probably in a good mood.

Crashing out a collection of A-grade material such as A Little Bit Of Light and Last Cinema, Bluebottle Kiss came out of the gates flying. Hasten The Blows from 2002's 'Revenge Is Slow' was a highlight with the chorus infecting a wave of happiness across the room. The new album featured highly with Harold Holt and The Judas Hands being abstractly endearing, whilst Sailors Knot and Novia Scotia really demanded attention as the band threw everything at their instruments. The classic Homeless Blueless completed the set with a force of momentum, although we all really knew that the gig was not over - surely that wasn't even an hour?

The free-jazz-like rock mayhem of Dream Audit was the result of a few diehards clapping eagerly for an encore. The Black Birds, as nominated loud and enthusiastically by the foot-balling Bassett brothers and friends completed the evening and a good night was had by all. No Gangsterland, no Ounce Of Your Cruelty and no Girl Genius, yet nothing was missing at all.

Steven Williams