Somahigh, Stone Them Crows Arp Attack - Joiners, Southampton - 30th September 2011 (Live Review)
Tuesday, 04 October 2011
Written by Lew Maclean
The Somahigh album launch party at The Joiners Arms, Southampton was quite an affair, packed with top notch unsigned talent. It was one of those gigs you could tell your grandchildren one day, you saw Somahigh, Arp Attack or Stone Them Crows before they were famous.
Arp Attack performed in their eloquent, electro pop manor that has held them in good stead. They gig regularly up and down the country at the moment and leave a trail of surprise and awe, attracting music industry interest on all levels. The Arp Attack performance was in full force today, consisting of the usual electro-pop keyboard synths and guitar clash heavily laced with full on drumbeats. Once again front person Frankie (small pick) strode the stage absorbing the full limelight with multiple photographers soaking up her movie star ambience. A highlight was a revised rendition of their pop music classic ‘Crocodile Tears’ and their opening song ‘Demand’ showed us what Arp Attack are all about. They played like a surge of electro-pop brilliance that has plenty of movement and makes you want to dance in the end. I wanted to take them home with me and play in my garden. I recommend everyone go see them at least once. Arp Attack are playing Camden Proud galleries this Wednesday 5th October.
The musical focus of the evening shifted nicely from electro Pop-to- Rock and the formidable live act Stone Them Crows showed us how its done. They can deliver an education in live rock performance in the space of a 30 minute gig. There was metal lead guitarist head banging, rock drumming of Cozy Powell level status, inter band member guitar crossing, a singer with electrifying stage presence and full on audience participation with Bassist and Eastenders TV star ;Onion jumping off the stage and playing in the audience as the crowd looked on petrified and excited all in one. All the tricks in the arsenal and this is only the first song. Stone Them Crows are far from being just a great live act they have self written material that can and will soar the charts. They have the live feel and sound of a rock band that is already regarded as a classic. The song ‘Romance is Dead’ has just the right amount of anger and angst to make a pleasant live rock experience. Ending on my personal favourite ‘Joker in the pack’ I left the gig feeling thoroughly rocked out. The overall wow factor is their co ordination on stage and general atmosphere; they carry this heavyweight rock aura that guides you through their set without looking away.
The hosts of the evening Somahigh (main pic) walked onto a stage with an audience all ready and waiting. The timing was like that of a festival having already experienced two worthy sets from headlining acts Somahigh were a welcome addition. Parading the wealth of their song writing talents from their album’ Secrets That Didn’t Happen' they met their musical colleagues in the field of live performance with a totally dedicated audience hanging onto to singer Sean’s every word. ‘It’s Easy’ has a haunting chime about it’s presence that lingers in your brain for days on end. It could easily be a soundtrack for a film. The’ rocker’ Paper Chaser’ went down well with the crunchy rock guitar and delicate synth based icing. Somahigh are a relative musical recipe. The whole place was shaking with the mosh pits, jumping, clapping and by the time ‘We Don’t Want This’ came into play there was chanting from the entire audience. There is a socio-commentary in their lyrics that I sometimes worry that people miss.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Arp Attack performed in their eloquent, electro pop manor that has held them in good stead. They gig regularly up and down the country at the moment and leave a trail of surprise and awe, attracting music industry interest on all levels. The Arp Attack performance was in full force today, consisting of the usual electro-pop keyboard synths and guitar clash heavily laced with full on drumbeats. Once again front person Frankie (small pick) strode the stage absorbing the full limelight with multiple photographers soaking up her movie star ambience. A highlight was a revised rendition of their pop music classic ‘Crocodile Tears’ and their opening song ‘Demand’ showed us what Arp Attack are all about. They played like a surge of electro-pop brilliance that has plenty of movement and makes you want to dance in the end. I wanted to take them home with me and play in my garden. I recommend everyone go see them at least once. Arp Attack are playing Camden Proud galleries this Wednesday 5th October.
