Darrah: The Railway, Southend

To mark the release of their new single, Southend's Darrah played a packed show at The Railway.

This was alternative pop music at its finest. Shimmering synths, psyche guitars and killer choruses. 'Can't Tax The Sun' was The Pixies through the prism of bubblegum pop. It was so infectious, it was dangerous.

On 'Stars' and the solo performed 'Pothole', Darrah displays an ability to pitch the rhythm of a set way beyond his years. 'Stars', a hazy Real Estate meets Teenage Fanclub affair, drifts by effortlessly. Meanwhile, 'Pothole' stripped everything back to showcase his estuary vocal at its most intimate.

The set closes on the new single 'Business' and, on this showing, it will be for many years to come. As the guitars throb away, Darrah's instinct for a vocal hook shines bright. There are hints of Lydon, Bowie and Albarn throughout, and by the time the synths start to sparkle, it becomes something quite special indeed.

The Bonnevilles: The Railway, Southend

The Belfast duo, Andrew McGibbon Jnr (guitars & vocals) and Chris Mullen (drums) brought their brand of rock 'n' roll to Southend this past Tuesday night.

From the first crushing guitar part of ‘The Good Bastards’, the air takes on a murkier presence. Theirs is a swirling fog of blues, rock n roll and rockabilly. On 'Dirty Photographs' has the blues hook of Peter Green’s ‘Long Grey Mare’ channelled through Bo Diddley’s attitude, Cream’s sense of rhythm and chaos of The Black Keys’ ‘Do The Rump’.

Shining like a nugget of gold on a cloudy sea bed was ‘The Poachers Pocket’. Slightly fuzzy, a hint of Cobain’s drawl, and a blistering psychedelic solo melting all and sundry, quite simply, it’s epic!

Amid all the fuzz and devilment, an old school R'n'B soul permeates The Bonnevilles. No matter how abrasive or decadent, an enriching warmth continually permeates. Be sure to check them out on the remaining UK dates!