Picture from Facebook
There should be more gigs like this in future, I know this wasn't the first but in a city saturated by free gigs tonight was proof that proof that people will pay to enjoy a quality night out. Four local acts on a big stage rather than cramped into the corner of a trendy hat shop in Hockley (or something) brought in a respectable crowd, especially when you consider it was on a week night immediately after the Easter weekend.
First on to a not yet full venue was a familiar face, Josh Kemp. To my mind this wasn't a suitable outlet for Josh as he has earned his stripes on the circuit several times over and having headlined his own show at Bodega last year this was something of a step back; as the old joke goes - any further down the poster and people might mistake him for the printer. Not that he didn't put in a great set of course, turning out a set of newer material from his vast songbook and demonstrating his ease and friendliness towards the audience. The Breakfast Club are another band that wouldn't be my obvious choice for a support given their growing reputation; this was more of a four way headliner than a gig with a hierarchical running order. After the usual set of comedy and music, including new songs among the classics, the running order went a little astray and so the cigarette breaks between acts shortened slightly.
Next on the bill was Huskies, a band I hadn't seen before and who went down well with the crowd but didn't really hold any great appeal for my tastes. Not that they aren't a talented band because they are and musically they do have 'it' but whatever 'it' is I don't want it because you can't just blindly enjoy everything (although that is how most Nottingham based reviewers and podcasters operate). After an even shorter break between sets it was time for the main event. The Gorgeous Chans hit the ground running and held the crowd for the duration of their set. Tighter than they have ever been (especially when compared to where they were when they won the Future Sound of Nottingham popularity contest in 2013) and winning on audience reaction, (even if the audience was mainly annoying kids with no understanding of the words 'excuse' and 'me' when pushing their way past the grown ups - such a shame the clip around the ear is frowned on these days), the time just flew by in a haze of upbeat pop. A lazy reviewer will do the Vampire Weekend comparison but if you want that you'll have to read a lazy review.