Will Marshall
To call the crowd that greets Dramalove sparse would be an understatement, which is a shame. They’ve got a lot of energy for a band opening to a handful of people at 6:30pm and play a brand of bluesy, southern rock akin to a hybrid between the vocal stylings of Muse and Black Stone Cherry. There’s no shortage of jump kicks and it’s an impassioned performance. Freely admitting to potential mistakes (“it’s the first time playing this, we’ll mess up a lot”) is bold and delivered tongue in cheek. There’s not a huge amount of sonic variety through the set but it’s performed with plenty of energy and it’s a welcome sight to see the crowd growing. A mid-set cover of ‘Wicked Game’ is perhaps ill-judged for an opening band but it fortunately doesn’t overshadow their own material too much. Their set is short but they’ve got the attitude and presence of a band much bigger, even if the theatrics do occasionally border on excessive. An overstretched ending song leads into another cover – this time a medley of Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name, Metallica’s Enter Sandman and Black Sabbath’s Iron Man that feels shoehorned in to pad out their slot. Despite this odd detour, it’s an entertaining, if unoriginal, take on bluesy rock that serves as a good appetiser for the evening.
Often touted as Wales’ answer to Black Stone Cherry, Florence Black take to the stage a full fifteen minutes early to no fanfare but from the first note ringing into out they’re having a blast. Serpentine leads entwine with chugging riffs and the band are obviously overjoyed to be back onstage where they shine. For a three-piece they’re heavier than you might expect, their bass-driven sound getting under the skin with ease. There’s plenty of heavier grunge elements not dissimilar to Pearl Jam or even early Nickelback, though the occasional double bass drumming does unfortunately bury some moments and render the mix murky. They’re endearing and friendly throughout, easily winning over new fans even in the set’s earlier moments. ‘Weight of the World’ sounds outsized in such an intimate venue and an early ‘Sun & Moon’ incites a front row singalong and plenty of clapping with ease. Guitarist and lead vocalist Tristan Thomas is a commanding presence, his booming melodic voice carrying equal parts emotional storytelling and exuberance at being in his element. Their older songs are worked into their set alongside material from the debut and the growth as songwriters is evident even on such a short timespan, evolving from more straightforward blues rock to its own animal entirely that’s still very much rooted in that world, though folding in elements of country and even metal. It’s a commanding performance from such a young band and more than hints at bigger and better things to come.
Walking on to blaring old school hip hop is a particularly on-brand move for headliners Bokassa, as is opening with the initially slow ‘Freelude’ into ‘Last Night (Was A Real Massacre’ that soon ramps up the energy. Their raucous stoner punk is big on hooks and low on taking itself too seriously; there’s a pervading sense of fun and that they’re clearly here to have a good time and make sure everyone else does, too. Frontman Jørn Kaarstad has an infectious sense of humour (“I’m a man of class, I’m drinking M&S pina coladas!”) turning tonight into a hybrid of stand up comedy and a rock show with his references to various popular game shows and their hosts. It’s a hilarious breath of fresh air, so much that even with the low light the grins plastered across everyone’s faces are clearly visible. It’s immediately apparent that live is their environment, their songs taking on an even more raucous tone that all but demands the kind of beer-swilling singalongs that thrive in these small venues. The crowd has filled out significantly by the time Bokassa’s set rolls around, though there’s still relatively little movement or pits despite the cheery singalongs and occasional heckling. A lack of pits doesn’t bother them though, or the crowd, as everyone’s clearly having a blast, especially the band as they rip through songs old and new alike with glee. Bassist Bård Linga is a ball of energy, as he runs round the small stage, while drummer Olav Dowkes hammers his kit like there’s no tomorrow. Throughout their set they make abundantly clear why Lars Ulrich declared them his favourite new band a few years ago and took them out on the Worldwired tour; the infectious sense of irreverent fun and desire to have a good time simply can’t be resisted.