I’d every reason to loathe Hip Parade: standard indie rock bands like this are hardly in short supply, for starters, and let’s face it, it’s a terrible name (which the venue had erroneously noted as ‘Hit Parade’ on the running times). But they deliver their catchy, energetic, upbeat punk-pop with cheeky grins and a few gallons of sweat, and what’s more, the songs are short, punchy and tightly played.
Something was niggling me, however, although I couldn’t figure out what it was. About halfway through the set, the chirpy singer announces in a broad Scots accent, ‘This is a cover,’ and the drummer starts up with a rhythm that’s familiar... surely not? Yes, really: it’s New Order’s ‘Blue Monday.’ And then I realise where I’ve seen these guys before – one morning on Channel 4’s ‘Orange Unsigned’ – and then the large numbers of sixth formers getting down at the front makes sense.
Credit where it’s due, Hip Parade play a lively and enjoyable set and do exactly what a warm-up act are supposed to do. It’s clear that they’re enjoying making music as much as those who’ve come to hear it, and it’s genuinely pleasing to see. Even the potentially sacrilegious cover which brought Alex James to tears was surprisingly enjoyable.
I’ve been digging The Cinematics since the release of ‘Break,’ and while I was convinced they could go on to be the next Editors, their debut album, ‘A Strange Education’ seemed to come and go virtually unnoticed. Which is a shame, because despite being a touch overproduced, it wasn’t bad, and featured a number of cracking tunes.
|
Not that they play many songs from that record in tonight’s set, which comprises mostly new material from their forthcoming second album. And if the production’s right, it should be ace.
Granted, new single ‘Love and Terror’ comes across a bit Simple Minds, a bit early U2, but Simple Minds and early U2 sure as hell beats later U2 and much of what’s out at the moment. Besides, perhaps the time is right for a stadium-sized anthem. Of the other abundant new songs, ‘Wish (When the Banks Collapse)’ is as timely as it is a standout in what was a well-executed set from start to finish. And what a finish: they close with ‘Break’ which remains my favourite Cinematics track to date. It’s quite a move away from the spindly, vaguely melancholy single version I first heard, and is an improvement on the album version, too, delivered in a more muscular, up-tempo style, with the funk-edged bass driving the thing along with a real sense of urgency.
In all, a great night, which left me wondering why these guys aren’t bigger: they certainly deserve to be.
|
