Large rock sound from diminutive performers

From Velvetines 2011

I tweeted a prediction that the sound tonight would be louder than the acoustic evening at the Regal Rooms the previous evening – to which I got an immediate confirmation by the headliners. It was “good” loud. The openers were Deepseagreen, and they started the night as it would continue – with guitar based rock, in this case with a splash of blues thrown in.

I wonder, do Three Day Weekend only gig when there is a bank holiday coming up? Would be a shame if they did, as that would restrict when their rock with an element of jazz added to the mix could be enjoyed live…

Very nice touch of Balloonman to just leave copies of their new EP Aurelia for the audience to have – giving the music away and getting paid for live events is certainly a model that will defeat those that refuse to pay for recorded music…  They continued the nights theme of guitar base rock – at just the volume level to invigorate the audience.

And then as promised the Velvetines delivered a loud set of unashamed rock. I first heard them supporting Springbok Nude Girls at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – where the diminutive Hunt sisters had looked a little lost on the large stage – then rocked the place with a surprisingly large sound. No such problems in the smaller surroundings of the Barfly Camden – it was only when Gina stood next to the band’s base player, Arthur Gatfield, you realised quite what a small package was producing the big sound – by far my favourite new British rock sound of the year so far. I’m disappointed that their rescheduled gig at 93 Feet East clashes with an evening at The O2 that I’ve already paid for – very tempted to try and find a buyer for that ticket… Their current single - Without Me is definately on my current iPod playlist...

I really hope the failure to sell out the Barfly Camden was due to those that would normally be packing out a gig like this being in Reading or Leeds for the weekend…