“If you lose your faith in love and music / The end wont be long”
The Libertines, 2002
Friday 20th January was a bleak day for hope. Saturday 21st January however, was a day of passion, love and togetherness. Men and women marched as one to reject the new US President's odious views.
Travellers Tunes occupied music haven of the New Cross Inn for its inaugural event to raise money for Reverse Rett. Rett Syndrome is a post-natal neurological condition which most often strikes previously healthy little girls between their first and second birthday and leaves them with multiple disabilities and medical complexities for life. We raised over 600 quid and couldn't have done without the generosity of the venue and all the acts playing for free.
Kicking things of was the brilliant Annie & The Make Believe. The jingle jangle flow of 'Lets Get Together Again' delivered the sunshine spirit of Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons to the delight of the crowd. They shifted the mood through darker tales of romantic failure on tracks such as 'Shivers' and 'November' but, the melodies never falter. For fans of First Aid Kit, Annie & The Make Believe need to be on your radar!
Next up was former Engineers member Daniel Land and his band. In a nutshell, this was shoegaze/dreampop nirvana. The atmosphere they created with their swirling riffs made the New Cross Inn feel the size of Wembley. Particularly standing out were the set opener and closers 'Glitterball' and 'Echo & Narcissus'. Move over Sigor Ros, Attenborough has a new soundtrack!
How anyone was going to follow this was a question clearly lingering in the air. Thankfully, Hull's finest, The Holy Orders brought their A game and shredded people's faces with their blend of alt-rock. Front man Matt Edible, has a rare ability to switch up from James Dean Bradfield to rock behemoth in a heart beat and, on 'Deviants', he and the band delivered one of the moments of day. The riff, the catchy chorus and the desperate rock n roll poetry all came together gloriously.
Teeing everyone up for the headline slot was the insanely charismatic Billy Doze. 'There Will Be Time' and 'For Now and Then' were so heartfelt, the feeling that the crowd growing attached to Doze was becoming tangible as his set concluded. Plus, anyone who can turn a Christian hymn into a crowd pleaser is definitely going places.
Headlining the night were indie superstars in the making, Luna Bay. These young pups from London were on fire from the off. By the time they closed on their latest single 'Smoke and Mirrors' South East London was putty in their hands. The brevity they enthuse into their songs, lifts them above so many of the established acts on Radio X at present, it will only be a matter of time before they high up on festival line ups.
Saturday 21st January saw this editor's faith in love and music restored. We hope the coming together of disparate music genres gave cause for optimism to all who came.
Watch this space for announcements on our next event.