Photo: Matt Palmer

Unfortunately, due to abominable parking conditions caused by a sold out Cog show, many of us are unable to attend openers Rialto Decibel Choir. Making it inside this prestigious venue though, it is possible to forget the fact that all and sundry are here to see a bunch of upstart indie/punk bands, and not an opera, such is the seating and undeniable presence of kettle-drums and glockenspiels rear of the small stage in the concert hall. After a brief set up, local trio Art Vanderlay enthrall the still-seated crowd with an undeniably skillful set of chaos and melody which fuses the jazzier elements of Minus The Bear, melodic misery of Engine Down and musical storytelling a la Explosions In The Sky, all of which is a far cry from the band’s screamo-roots, yet no less enjoyable.

Next to take to the podium are Arrows, and as the crowd swells and moves forward – creating a bonfire-like vibe around the warmly lit quartet – it is easy to tell that this will be something a little out of the ordinary. Making better use of the impressive sound-system, clean melodic guitars sweep and fade in the aftermath of keys and a distorted wall of organically pulsating sound. A cross between Mineral, Death Cab For Cutie and American Football, Arrows manage to excite and entrance their swaying devotees.

Quickly swapping gear across, The Gift Horse proceed to up the ante and juxtapose their melodic punk heart against the demure venue and, whilst having a few equipment and volume issues, manage to rock a solid set with the energy and attitude of a late nineties Face To face gig. Finally, Blueline Medic take to the small stage and in seconds are ripping through the best of their last release 42:19 and a few oldies, with the crowd joining in on every word. Playing CD-perfect and with singer Donnie dancing up a storm, Blueline throw in the classic Making The Nouveaue Riche and a new song called Saw You Last Night which will no doubt be on the lips of the crowd next time the band comes to town, a time which will hopefully be in the not-to-distant future.

PATRICK PERRIER

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