'IPYN Live!' 12/5/12 at DBS live, Plymouth.
Grasping what this event was all about took me a while. I was given limited information about what exactly this gig entailed, or what IPYN actually was until I arrived. Turns out IPYN is the best thing in the world. Basically it stands for 'International Production Youth Network' [ http://www.facebook.com/IPYNetwork?fref=ts ] and the whole idea is to give young people a platform to break into all areas of media production, such as sound, lighting, artist liaison, photography and event promotion. This event was put together by Rachel Haughey, Creator of IPYN, as a practical example of how the organisation helps people who want to get into live music production.
The bands on the bill- Jonathan Stafford, Sky vs Mountain, Seize the Day, Dead Poets and the Deering.
At only 18, Jonathan Stafford opens the show with confidence, just a boy and his guitar but playing songs from his EP- ‘The Beautiful Catastrophe’ goes down well with those in the audience who have come out early.
Sky Vs Mountain follow with not such a confident or enjoyable set. The four guys spend a lot of time standing quite still with fixed shoegaze, but to their credit, they don’t clear the room and manage applause from the supportive crowd. A good attempt; hopefully a confidence booster for the band who maybe need a little more practice at performance.
Next up, a band that have a place on so many bills around Plymouth it’s surprising there is anyone left who is yet to see Seize the day live. With their relatively new addition- female drummer Lou (Who is a completely new member; This isn’t a sex change situation.) They ramp up the volume, heat and pretty much everything else in the room with an energetic and professional performance.
The evening seems like a slow ascent to a full on ruckus as Dead Poets get the headbanging going, a quality band deserving of national acclaim. Formed in 2006, this 4 piece have been slowly taking over the rock scene around the south west. ‘Stop Drop and Roll’ a particularly great example of their hard rock spirit and also, the point the crowd gets their wiggle on.
Yet another Plymouth 4 piece, The Deering end the night on a high with top quality indie rock, a well connected band with lead singer Daniel Broadley owning a successful film company, [ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-Broadley-Films/162674190413277 ] having shot music videos for the likes of Deaf Havana, We Start Partys and Futures, big names around the UK’s indie rock scene, The Deering have their fingers in some truly hot pies. Supporting Alkaline trio in Exeter this week, the future of the band seems to be heading in all the right directions.
Imogen Bird