Jaws / The White Bicycles / Native People / Monroze [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 24/7/14]
Monroze
Playing to a nearly-packed room when you’re inexperienced can be an intimidating prospect, and stage fright definitely affected this set. I say this a lot, but it needs repeating: If an audience is staying put for your set, and not rushing for the door, you’re doing okay – even if it’s hard to tell whether or not they’re enjoying the show!
It’s early days for these guys, and the only cure for their present issues is more practice and experience. Good luck to them.
Native People
Unfortunately, the above words also apply to Native People. Additionally, these guys were suffering from heat exhaustion due to the number of onstage lights. It was hard to tell whether this was a set, or a thirty-minute cremation – but then, they don’t call it the Boileroom for nothing…
Fortunately, Native People lived to play another day. My best advice: don’t stop, keep going, and stay hydrated!
The White Bicycles
This set was exceptional from note one, but the White Bicycles’ efforts were met with a small dedicated crowd at the front and countless pockets of chatty people who could’ve heard each other better in the beer garden.
Situations like the one described above separate the professionals from the amateurs – and the White Bicycles are absolutely a professional act. Those of us who paid attention were served an epic and lush set of pop-tinged, elegant and cinematic art-rock that comprised the best showing of the night so far.
Hats off to you, White Bicycles. You deserved every bit of our applause.
JAWS
Another note one winner. Kicking things off with a fat groove and plenty of passion never fails to win my heart, mind, attention, and interest – and JAWS had all that and more here.
A buzzing crowd, bobbing heads, big grins and ear-splitting applause – JAWS really earned it, and were eager to show their appreciation. It’s really heartwarming to see a band and audience connect like this, and overall this was the perfect end to a great night.
Kudos to the Boileroom team for their ever-professional venue management, Velvet Goldmine for booking the bands, and Olly Dexter for what has to be the millionth incredible sound job by now.
Links
White Bicycles on Facebook and Twitter.
Native People on Facebook and Twitter.
Monroze on Facebook and Twitter.
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