Enter Shikari, Fell Silent, Summerfall, Bent Like Bob, Red Dollar, Days Ruin - Esquires, 9th December 2005
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
The party spirit was in the air tonight (and not just at the bar!), Cravenfest introduced 'The Agony and the Ecstasy', a Christmas extravaganza featuring six bands who have all been supported by Paul Craven during 2005. Tonight, they show their thanks.
Days Ruin open the evening in front of an eager crowd full of anticipation. The pace barely slackens as songs such as 'Truth' and 'Satisfied' get the evening started with a bang.
Coming in as late replacements for Mos Eisley were Red Dollar, who produce a superb power punk-pop set. Although probably playing tonight to an audience that knew very little about them, Red Dollar seemed to thrive on it. On this, which is only their second ever gig, the songs are already becoming firm favourites of mine and 2006 should be an exciting year for them.
A local young band that has emerged triumphantly this year has been Bent Like Bob, although I am curious to know if they will change their name in 2006! Once again backed by huge support the boys play a lot of new compositions. The rich vein of songwriting prowess that Bent Like Bob possess shows no sign of flagging, as 'Dragon Fly Theme' and 'Fourth Floor Blues' fire the crowds emotions.
Although having been around slightly longer than some of the other bands tonight, Summerfall can look back on 2005 with a great deal of pride and satisfaction. Having served their nervous apprenticeship the year before, the past twelve months has seen them play with poise and perfection. Their confidence and enjoyment is evident tonight, no more so with the song 'Soul'. I for one look forward to seeing what Summerfall can produce in 2006.
Fell Silent appear tonight on the back of their recent success in the Bedford Metal Battle of the Bands Competition. Having achieved so much this year, their set tonight is hard, loud and powerful. The ironically titled 'Silence' is then bands opener before the fury and aggression of 'Seven Minute Whore' turns the mosh pit into all out combat.
It is fair to say that all of the bands appearing tonight could have equal bragging rights to headline. The cast list is that good however that it falls to St. Albans four piece Enter Shikari to take the honours. Having recently completed a successful tour, the main source of surprise is that they have not yet secured a record deal (a total mystery to me). They have stated in the past that there is a lot of pressure in the underground scene not to sell out and their main aim is to have fun, which they certainly proved tonight with a top quality set highlighted by 'Johnny Sniper', rock underpinned why a soft melodic base. Enter Shikari have a stand out originality to their sound, best emphasised by 'We Can Breathe in Space'.
A great night courtesy of the class of 2005.
A Special Guest Review of Summerfall by Steve Norman
It must be about 20 years ago to the day that Kool and the Gang performed 'Cherish' on Wogan. For the uninitiated 'Cherish' was one of the great love songs of the 80's, surpassed only by 'True' by Spandau Ballet. Almost 21 years to the day I saw my first ever gig - Spandau at Wembley Arena, but that's another story. The point is that the lead singer of Summerfall holds his microphone just like Terry Wogan, which I must say distracted me from an otherwise excellent set!