Brother & Bones + Support, Falmouth- Princess Pavilions 01/03/2014
So on Friday a friend of mine text me and asked if I fancied going to see a gig last night, 'the band are pretty good' she promised.
UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY.
Its really great when you manage to find great gigs close to home (by close I mean an hours drive, and for live music in Cornwall, that's close) So off we trundled down to the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth to see Brother & Bones. Now the night started off great right from the offset (other than getting a little lost finding the pavilions) the first support act, Sound of the Sirens, were loads of fun, they not only had great music but were funny to go with it- if they had any nerves about performing in what they said was their biggest venue to date, it didn't show. We managed to nab a spot right by the barrier to watch them and it was well with it, their mix of folky guitar driven girl rock just proved that there's still some credibility to be found from female only groups.
The second support act, Sam Williams & The Flock of Bats, however I personally found a little disappointing. We relinquished our spot at the front for this one and went further to the back to have a little more room to have a dance and a bit of fun- no chance. Every song they played had a really mellow vibe and just seemed to jar against what Sound of the Sirens had played and what I was sure was to come. Everything was so calm in fact that from further back in the room it was difficult to even hear what they were playing, I'm pretty sure the acts aren't meant to be drowned out by the sound of people talking but that's what seemed to happen. It was the sort of music I would put on if I was struggling to sleep.
Now I get to Brother & Bones. I was expecting to like them, but wow- was I blown away. There was so much energy on the stage it was like being hit round to head by a freight train- in the best way possible. Considering I'd done minimal Youtube stalking prior to the gig so had very little knowledge of what they were going to play, it really didn't seem to matter, there were enough catchy choruses and great beats to keep even me singing and dancing the whole way through, I had the best time I've had at a gig for as long as I can remember and I would easily put them up there with one of the best bands I've seen live (and I've seen a fair few in my time!) It didn't hurt that Rich Thomas, the lead singer/acoustic guitar is in my opinion bone achingly attractive (I have a serious weakness for men with long hair, much to my families disdain.)
For a group lead by an acoustic I was really impressed, their sound is definitely helped by the fact that they have not only 1 drum kit, but a second drum/percussion section- as well as acoustic guitar, bass and electric guitar which leads to such a distinctive sound that is like nothing you will have ever heard. The vocals were spot on all night, sounding basically note to how the EP's come across.
I picked up a couple of the EP's on the way out and have had them pretty much on constant repeat all morning, theres not a bad song anywhere to be found. I've never heard such a polished sound from a band which, for all intents and purposes hasn't hit the big time yet (God knows they should have!)
So it's safe to say, my fan-girl meter flew from 0-100 in their hour or so set and I couldn't recommend going to see them live any more if they come to a venue near you, it's well worth it.
Lucky for me I get to see them again tomorrow when they support Bastille, and I can honestly say I'm more excited about seeing them again than seeing Bastille, and that's saying something for a band that was only on the edge of my consciousness last Thursday.
Personal favourite;
For all we know EP
Track 03, Follow Me Down
http://www.brotherandbones.com/