Following our successful first show with Lost in the Manor back in July (featuring Dance a la Plage, Moses and Indigo Child), we teamed up again to showcase yet another exciting night of fresh new music.
Once again taking place at the Finsbury (a delightful, intimate venue nestled on the edge of the North London park of the same name), we settle into a night that explored two different sides of the rock spectrum.
Hoodoo Daze take the stage first to bring the night into swing, using their nostalgic vibes to bring some motion to the warming crowd. Their style has some touches of The Hives; crunchy guitars with a confident, often unpredictable front duo in the shape of Chris Normann and Alex Moon. Like the Hives, they bring a nice dynamism to their music, frequently honing in on an individual instrument or voice before erupting as a band.
They open with their only digital single ‘Smooth 80s’, heating the crowd with loud, proud unashamedly-catchy rock. Their blues-inspired aura certainly throws nods to Jack White circa The Raconteurss era, with explosive vocals pushing through a veil of distorted guitars with impressive calibre.
Their classic, timeless vibes throw up some comparison to bands such as Wolfmother, who, whilst nodding to the past, bring classic rock to the modern age with a twist of their own. An impressive start for the new band.
The four-piece are certainly akin to making a racket – and had plenty of fun on stage when doing so. With this style of music, the bands commitment to its stage presence is key. At any point that the band decided to get people moving, the people moved. Where some may be alienated, all were drawn. Hoodoo Daze have an infectious thrall in their arsenal, so be warned.
Heavy Heart have an admittedly different aura; more anthemic and introspective than loud and brash. Whilst the contrast between the two is quite stark, the band’s far-reaching soundscapes transport the crowd from the dark, smoky venue to lands unknown, with lead singer Anna Vincent’s providing assuring company.
Their style is easy and sincere, and their soundscapes are both lifting and heartfelt, giving an emotional edge that has mass appeal. When you’re in the presence of a band that can captivate a crowd whilst connecting intimately, you’re on to a winner.
If Snow Patrol decided to push themselves a little further and experiment with a more dynamic sound, that’s where you’d find Heavy Heart. Good, decent songwriting that utilises a full band to its real potential. Vincent’s vocals are apparent and tender, with nothing being lost behind the band’s instrumentals.
The South-East London band have an instant appeal, and do well to linger in the ears of their listeners for some time after the show. You’d be hard pressed not to catch yourself humming their tracks on the way home, and Vincent’s vocals are a heartfelt siren that could touch the nation.
Shoegaze itself is a double-edged sword. Those that love it, really advocate it, but those who don’t find it difficult to cut through the haziness of it. One thing that Heavy Heart have admirably managed to achieve is something that slots them decisively in the middle. Their tracks show depth and diversity, whilst still utilising what makes the genre so attractive to die-hard fans. As a listener, you need not worry – there are plenty of crackly guitars and lucid synths at play here, but you won’t find yourself lost between tracks. Heavy Heart are defined, mature and not afraid to create something new.
