Minor Coles, We Aeronauts and Alphabet Backwards @ The Bullingdon Arms, Oxford, UK, 11th July 2009
A light misty rain accompanied my walk to the venue for tonight’s local Oxford poppy band showcase. I’ll admit now that I left before headliners Alphabet Backwards played due to a combination of hangover from the previous night and the fact I had seen them several times before. This is not a diss to the band who have performed professionally and precisely on each occasion I have seen them but also that they are not really my thing coming as I do from an underground dance music background.
First up were Minor Coles who, following a slightly nervy first couple of tracks, went on to capture the substantial crowd. This group of bands attract a healthy variety of fan across all age spectrums and I suspect there were some proud parents in attendance. One thing that stood out first though was the high proportion of very fit ladies in the building!
Once Minor Coles’ lead singer Mark Stephenson found his footing he let rip with an amazing vocal performance that enthralled the crowd. Several numbers toward the end of their set garnered substantial praise from the audience and he demonstrated passion, commitment and emotional depth. Mark is a good friend and previous collaborator with the band members in Alphabet Backwards and he provided a more edgy and exciting show for this reviewer in comparison.
Up next were We Aeronauts – for tonight a 6 piece band but who are larger in number when not struck with illness. The melodies of around half their songs were joyous and they melded horn, accordion and harmonica with the traditional instruments of an indie band. At one stage of the performance the group decamped into the crowd and played an un-amplified song which the gathered throng knew well and sung along too. I missed the name of this tune entranced in the beautiful melody and complete tightness of the performance. A stand out moment of the night for me.
After We Aeronauts finished I made my way back out into the now heavier rain with a cigarette in hand and walked the short distance to my residence feeling soothed and happy!
First up were Minor Coles who, following a slightly nervy first couple of tracks, went on to capture the substantial crowd. This group of bands attract a healthy variety of fan across all age spectrums and I suspect there were some proud parents in attendance. One thing that stood out first though was the high proportion of very fit ladies in the building!
Once Minor Coles’ lead singer Mark Stephenson found his footing he let rip with an amazing vocal performance that enthralled the crowd. Several numbers toward the end of their set garnered substantial praise from the audience and he demonstrated passion, commitment and emotional depth. Mark is a good friend and previous collaborator with the band members in Alphabet Backwards and he provided a more edgy and exciting show for this reviewer in comparison.
Up next were We Aeronauts – for tonight a 6 piece band but who are larger in number when not struck with illness. The melodies of around half their songs were joyous and they melded horn, accordion and harmonica with the traditional instruments of an indie band. At one stage of the performance the group decamped into the crowd and played an un-amplified song which the gathered throng knew well and sung along too. I missed the name of this tune entranced in the beautiful melody and complete tightness of the performance. A stand out moment of the night for me.
After We Aeronauts finished I made my way back out into the now heavier rain with a cigarette in hand and walked the short distance to my residence feeling soothed and happy!
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