Gomez w/ Frightened Rabbit @ Plug, Sheffield

welve is a number that fails to stand out in many peoples minds. Lets face it, it isn’t 15 and it’s not quite 10 – so, it came as little surprise when Gomez announced it was the 12 anniversary of their first show. To this news, only a few intoxicated squeals could be heard among a muted crowd. Tonight’s show brought a throng of people from the outset, this judged on the lengthy queue outside.

Admittedly, it is hard enough supporting any act, however, when you are warming up for a band with the stature of Gomez it must feel like the world is caving in even before you’ve started. This, however, did not seem to phase Frightened Rabbit in the slightest with a wealth of material that catered for almost everyone’s tastes, from slow ballads, through to upbeat indie. A surprisingly crowded venue were present to experience the down to earth Scottish outfit, who appeared relaxed and at ease, despite the task in hand. Minimal lighting gave the impression of a relaxed atmosphere and the songs throughout the set appeared to please an ever-growing crowd who gave reactions worthy of the talent placed in front of them. Some favourites were; Fast Blood, I Feel Better, and Swim Until You Can’t See Land. Frightened Rabbit exited showing heart warming gratitude to the crowd thanking them for their great reaction “This is our last song, thank you so much for coming along. Enjoy Gomez and have a fantastic night. We’ve been Frightened Rabbit”. To which an eruption of cheers and whistles could be heard around the venue, and an emotional “ah, thanks very much” was spoken before beginning their final song. A stunning vocal performance among nothing else merited the outstanding reaction it deserved and I would say many of tonight’s crowd rushed to buy an EP from the back of the venue afterwards.

As 9.55 approached a few stragglers could still be seen entering the venue, Gomez emerged onto stage, under the same ambient purple lighting as their predecessors. The best reaction so far was clearly saved for the main act, as the squeals and whistles from the crowd were almost ear – piercing. Beginning with the relaxed tone of See The World the vocals seemed gravely and had an almost American sounding twinge to them. Think, Pearl Jam mixed with Jack Johnson guitar melodies. The venue by completion of the first song was close, humid, and packed full of excitable fans. As the set began to progress, I felt Gomez became more at ease with the crowd and nerves from the first few numbers had faded somewhat. The set began to increase in pace with the inventive and rocky guitar melodies of Airstream Driver, this whipped the crowd into action with an onslaught of clapping a whistling from the outset. However, they still remained static with the exception of the people getting more and more squashed at the front, it was almost a necessity that they had to move. Although everyone seemed to be embracing every second of this gig whole heartedly, I couldn’t help thinking that Gomez needed variation and depth to their music to give them that extra power and variety to step up a grade.

A fantastic gig with two impressive performances and a crowd that were pleased with almost everything (except the bar prices), signals the end of a good night for all.

The Chapman Family @ Plug: Sheffield

Having featured on the BBC’s Introducing stage at Glastonbury and supporting the 80’s electro diva La Roux on the NME Radar Tour, The Chapman Family have certainly got a lot of people talking. If not only for the blood and sweat dripping encounters alone, which many of the cult fan base will already have experienced. The fiery foursome kick start their Virgins tour with support from; Ketamine Kim and Jack and The Beanstalk, at Sheffield’s Plug. 

A mere 5 minutes after the 7.30 opening time the first of tonight’s support acts emerged. As the crowd was very sparse at this time, their entrance onto the stage merited little to no reaction. The five piece ‘Ketamine Kim,’ eventually after some time, launched into their first song. It was evident from almost the first guitar chord ‘Ketamine Kim’ are doing what The Libertines and many followers have done years before. Scatty guitar playing, fast drumbeats, and a distinctly average singer. It also came with weak backing vocals from the female keyboardist, and, putting the icing on a badly baked cake – corny jokes from the lead vocalist that even your best friend wouldn’t humour. In essence, this band aren’t awful, just fresh and inventive idea’s wouldn’t go a miss, to be able to create their own unique sound.

After a swift turn around, in which it enabled me, and many others for that fact, to buy an extortionate pint of larger from the bar, Jack and The Beanstalks took to the stage for another go at impressing the exceedingly muted crowd. They too, sporting a very dirty and unclear sound – similar to the previous bands attempts. However, this time, the inventive melodies and complex drumbeats featured where the latter bands had collapsed. The quirky and original idea’s in the tracks merited the credit they deserved from the ever – warming crowd. The overall charisma and stage presence of the band was almost a heartfelt disaster, with minimal movement and speech throughout the entirety of the set. The timings also, were poorly judged, with the beginnings of a song in the making, they quickly realised that time had surpassed, and sheepishly departed with a mumble of “Thanks, We’re Jack and The Beanstalks” under their breath. I’m sure many of tonight’s crowd felt the same empathy that I did for them.

The Chapman Family saunter casually onto stage, only to be greeted by a rapturous reception from tonight’s sparkly populated venue. With the introduction “Hello, We’re the Chapman Family” over in a matter of seconds, they launch whole heartedly into the first number. Lonesome screeching guitars, aided with powerful baritone vocals, create a build up that raises the hairs on your entire body. After a minute of musical bliss, ‘Hear Them Marching’ explodes into a noisy uncontrolled mess, which, for the majority attending, was the calling card they needed to go crazy.

With the best charisma of the night, and sufficient space to move around, the energy and passion – filled show is infectious. This, compiled with, strong and powerful music made for a close and sweaty encounter – for both parties. Launching into ‘Kids’ the party on stage, really begins – with hard hitting drums and fast paced melodies it gets the band diving around, the bassist and vocalist feeding of one another’s movements, creating a close and humid atmosphere. The music creates a superior mix of styles, the double bass on drums answers for the metal fans, and vocals – think Futureheads, speaks volumes for the Indie lovers. Completing a night of reasonable success, The Chapman Family conclude the night with new song ‘Million Dollars’. Bassist, Pop Chapman, informs the crowd “If you like Liberty X, You’ll like this song”, rather ironically it sounded nothing like Liberty X and no one laughed at his joke. Other then some awful jokes and a tough crowd to please, The Chapman Family gave a fantastic performance and some smiling faces were caught leaving. If your idea of a fabulous night is a mass of people in a sweaty mess, many of them intoxicated – go and see The Chapman Family, they will not disappoint.

Elephant Keys @ Plug: Sheffield

Kicking off with 'Nicole', to the sight of a rather mundane crowd at first. It is apparent from where I’m standing that even from their first number these guys are as tight as your sisters jeans! 

Vocalist and guitarist Phil Goodwin, is almost overflowing with charisma and confidence, like he’s been doing this his entire life.  He teases the crowd strutting back and forth, pulling out guitar licks even Hendrix would be proud of.  The crowds response by second song'Your Not What You Used To Be' is what the Elephant Keys I’m sure, would have hoped the night would be like. 

As the beer flows freely the crowd are loving it more and more.  The set gets better and better with each song that passes, with 'Candlewax' and ‘Sebastian’s' punchy rhythms that the Arctic Monkeys could have done with on their patchy second album, Elephant Keys are lapping up every minute.  It’s rather refreshing not to hear another Indie band trying to mimic the likes ofThe Pigeon Detectives and Sheffield’s own, Arctic’s.  Just loud, lively, and rather contagious Rock n Roll. 

If you haven’t seen them and fancy a good blast and an energetic show, what are you waiting for?