It feels like the smoking ban has always been around, doesn’t it? It was only last July for the English that venues across the country suddenly turned their backs on the smoky atmospheres and complied with the law, and many would say that there is something missing from a gig without plumes of smoke billowing out of the mouths of many ardent fans. Yes, your clothes don’t smell of smoke, but now you leave smelling of beery farts, human condensation, and your own sweat. Give me stale Marlboro any day.
Bad Marmalade are seeking to rectify this situation with a series of intimate house gigs, initially in Manchester but looking further afield as the idea catches on. It’s quite simple, really, a few bands in a house – this time at a house within smelling distance of the McVities biscuit factory – with a relaxed atmosphere and the threat of it degenerating into a house party if that is the owners desire. It’s a way for bands to play to people they wouldn’t normally do, and for everyone to spark up, relax and do away with the ceremony.
Kitten, Please so liked the idea that they formed for the night, and took the name of a current Bad Marmalade project as their own. Comprising half of Manchester post-rock hopefuls Taihanis, they’re here tonight to try out a couple of numbers, but also put the spotlight on the wealth of material singer Zoe has stored up and not yet put to use. It’s an interesting set – the tone is maudlin at first, and you understand now why they wanted to go on before the comedian. The songs are heart-felt, mainly acoustic numbers, littered with lyrics bitter and heart-breaking, acerbic and hilarious; often all at the same time. If you like the idea of Scout Niblett’s passion and expression set to unusual chord progressions, then the first half of the set would appeal.
Knowing that this is a party though, the songs get faster, and the foot-tapping starts and everyone really begins relax. Taihanis tune ‘Everlast Forest’ seems to really lighten the mood, and everyone (band included) seem to be enjoying themselves. Last song ‘Concrete Block’ so wins over the crowd that they demand it be played a second time. What better recommendation can you get? We have taken a short journey with Zoe during this set, and it’s enough to convince you to show up for the full ride.
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Putting a comedian in a kitchen is an interesting move, and the room is split on whether it worked or not. DAVE BISHOP can tell jokes to appeal to those of us who still miss Bill Hicks – it’s a brash collection of topics with no sense of taboo, and on the whole it goes down well. It’s a very open situation, the comedian face to face with the people who are either loving him or willing him to go away, and full marks to Dave for doing it. He deals well with the unusual set-up, and happily takes on the hecklers. One dissenting voice is quickly told to shut up by the rest of the crowd, but it does make for an awkward moment. The point is, before us is a talented comedian who gets many laughs, and at the very least most people agree that they’d like to see him in his natural environment.
IVAN CAMPO seem born for this type of set-up. They come equipped with a mini-keyboard, bongos, and a clutch of guitar pop tunes that will put anyone in the party mood. They’re simple songs, with original layered vocals, that are even more engaging live than they are recorded. As a whole, they draw comparison to all of those scouse bands that have charmed in the past, even though none of them originate from Liverpool at all. They are a band who have studied affable, indie music that is genuinely touching and fun, and given it their own little twist.
You can’t help but think that if they got into the right hands, these songs could be huge. The owner of the house tells them they can play as long as they like, and the assenting voices could probably have stood an all-nighter. It’s not like any of us had to nip our for a cigarette.
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