Saturday, August 6, 2011

Glasvegas + Belles Will Ring -Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom

Band: Glasvegas + Belles Will Ring
Venue: Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom
Date: 25th July 2011
Reviewed By: Espylyn

It’s a wintery night out as I swish through the puddles and quickly walk to the Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom and on entrance a dull hum greets me, the first song has started and I delve through the crowd to get closer. My ears prick up at the harmonies of the band – an essence kinda like the Dandy Warhols – that creates the music of then with the sounds of now. A toxic blend which I allow to soak into my eardrum and take me away to a desert island where the flowing sounds of Belles Will Ring, will stay with me forevermore. A happy sound, combined with edginess and mixed with instruments like Tambourine, flute and harmonica – all three played by Lauren Crew (as well as keys and vocals). The rest of the band, Liam, Joe and Aiden, take me on a pleasant road through songs like The Coldest Heart and the finale – Come North With Me Baby, Wow which ends with a lonely trumpet echoing through the room. Their debut album Crystal Theatre was released in May this year and stands out to critics alike.

A long break and the Scottish Indie Rock band that is Glasvegas enters stage and takes the crowd on a roller coaster ride tonight. A solid crowd supports the band and gives the band plenty to be excited about. With Splendour In The Grass only days away it seems fitting most of us head to the ‘side shows’ to witness the music which we are unable to be a part of up north, we get to witness the shows here instead, in wintery Melbourne.

Anticipations looms around the room and the four piece band take stand and head into The World Is Yours. Jonna Löfgren on drums stands during the set, and boy does she hit those drums like they are a deadly animal. James Allen, wearing the lighter colour clothes tonight, gives the band the voice that it needs – I have no idea what he is singing about most of the time, but that somehow works in the bands favour. James pulls his vocals to the limit and the melodies suit the band whilst the other band members, Paul Donoghue and Rab Allen look like bookends or bouncers on either side of James – dressed similar with their hair a punk style and together they lick the guitar riffs with plenty of oomph and talent. It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry has James sitting down with microphone out into the audience as the entire crowd sings the song and the sound of the audience is louder than his vocals, so he may as well sit and take it all in!

At times I’m reminded of an eighties sound, and mixed with a great light show tonight and one ultra cool microphone cord – one that illuminated green and white at times, we are given a tip top set. Geraldine is full of colour and guitar, Ice Cream Van brings on that Britpop sound and Go Square Go receives thunderous applause. A short set and then encore- S.A.D Light is played and then Lots Sometimes draws the night to a close....

Review posted on www.theaureview.com.au


Glasvegas + Belles Will Ring -Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom

Band: Glasvegas with support from Belles Will Ring
Venue: Hi Fi Bar and Ballroom
Date: 25th July 2011
Reviewed By: Espylyn

It’s a wintery night out as I swish through the puddles and quickly walk to the Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom and on entrance a dull hum greets me, the first song has started and I delve through the crowd to get closer. My ears prick up at the harmonies of the band – an essence kinda like the Dandy Warhols – that creates the music of then with the sounds of now. A toxic blend which I allow to soak into my eardrum and take me away to a desert island where the flowing sounds of Belles Will Ring, will stay with me forevermore. A happy sound, combined with edginess and mixed with instruments like Tambourine, flute and harmonica – all three played by Lauren Crew (as well as keys and vocals). The rest of the band, Liam, Joe and Aiden, take me on a pleasant road through songs like The Coldest Heart and the finale – Come North With Me Baby, Wow which ends with a lonely trumpet echoing through the room. Their debut album Crystal Theatre was released in May this year and stands out to critics alike.

A long break and the Scottish Indie Rock band that is Glasvegas enters stage and takes the crowd on a roller coaster ride tonight. A solid crowd supports the band and gives the band plenty to be excited about. With Splendour In The Grass only days away it seems fitting most of us head to the ‘side shows’ to witness the music which we are unable to be a part of up north, we get to witness the shows here instead, in wintery Melbourne.

Anticipations looms around the room and the four piece band take stand and head into The World Is Yours. Jonna Löfgren on drums stands during the set, and boy does she hit those drums like they are a deadly animal. James Allen, wearing the lighter colour clothes tonight, gives the band the voice that it needs – I have no idea what he is singing about most of the time, but that somehow works in the bands favour. James pulls his vocals to the limit and the melodies suit the band whilst the other band members, Paul Donoghue and Rab Allen look like bookends or bouncers on either side of James – dressed similar with their hair a punk style and together they lick the guitar riffs with plenty of oomph and talent. It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry has James sitting down with microphone out into the audience as the entire crowd sings the song and the sound of the audience is louder than his vocals, so he may as well sit and take it all in!

At times I’m reminded of an eighties sound, and mixed with a great light show tonight and one ultra cool microphone cord – one that illuminated green and white at times, we are given a tip top set. Geraldine is full of colour and guitar, Ice Cream Van brings on that Britpop sound and Go Square Go receives thunderous applause. A short set and then encore- S.A.D Light is played and then Lots Sometimes draws the night to a close....

Review posted on www.theaureview.com.au


Glasvegas + Belles Will Ring -Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom

Band: Glasvegas with support from Belles Will Ring
Venue: Hi Fi Bar
Date: 25th July 2011
Reviewed By: Espylyn


It’s a wintery night out as I swish through the puddles and quickly walk to the Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom and on entrance a dull hum greets me, the first song has started and I delve through the crowd to get closer. My ears prick up at the harmonies of the band – an essence kinda like the Dandy Warhols – that creates the music of then with the sounds of now. A toxic blend which I allow to soak into my eardrum and take me away to a desert island where the flowing sounds of Belles Will Ring, will stay with me forevermore. A happy sound, combined with edginess and mixed with instruments like Tambourine, flute and harmonica – all three played by Lauren Crew (as well as keys and vocals). The rest of the band, Liam, Joe and Aiden, take me on a pleasant road through songs like The Coldest Heart and the finale – Come North With Me Baby, Wow which ends with a lonely trumpet echoing through the room. Their debut album Crystal Theatre was released in May this year and stands out to critics alike.

A long break and the Scottish Indie Rock band that is Glasvegas enters stage and takes the crowd on a roller coaster ride tonight. A solid crowd supports the band and gives the band plenty to be excited about. With Splendour In The Grass only days away it seems fitting most of us head to the ‘side shows’ to witness the music which we are unable to be a part of up north, we get to witness the shows here instead, in wintery Melbourne.

Anticipations looms around the room and the four piece band take stand and head into The World Is Yours. Jonna Löfgren on drums stands during the set, and boy does she hit those drums like they are a deadly animal. James Allen, wearing the lighter colour clothes tonight, gives the band the voice that it needs – I have no idea what he is singing about most of the time, but that somehow works in the bands favour. James pulls his vocals to the limit and the melodies suit the band whilst the other band members, Paul Donoghue and Rab Allen look like bookends or bouncers on either side of James – dressed similar with their hair a punk style and together they lick the guitar riffs with plenty of oomph and talent. It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry has James sitting down with microphone out into the audience as the entire crowd sings the song and the sound of the audience is louder than his vocals, so he may as well sit and take it all in!

At times I’m reminded of an eighties sound, and mixed with a great light show tonight and one ultra cool microphone cord – one that illuminated green and white at times, we are given a tip top set. Geraldine is full of colour and guitar, Ice Cream Van brings on that Britpop sound and Go Square Go receives thunderous applause. A short set and then encore- S.A.D Light is played and then Lots Sometimes draws the night to a close....

Review posted on www.theaureview.com.au