Beverly + Box of Light + Saint Sister

Venue:

Louisiana, Bristol

Date: 17/05/2016

Beverly is a band. Bought this ticket on impulse – not heard of Beverly at the time but it looked interesting, it’s a great venue (normally get to stand about about10 ft from the band)so what the hell let’s splash out on £8 for 3 bands. In the meantime I’ve done my homework – got Beverly’s first album and delved (thanks discogs) into corners of yet another scene(s) that was previously unknown to me – Frankie Rose, Dum Dum Girls, Crystal Stilts – what presence! Some interesting stuff there which I’m still digesting but Beverly are the pick of that crop for me and are currently filling a similar place in my pop heart as Alvvays – but a bit more noisy. Beverly is a band – did I mention that? Fronted by Drew Citron (love that name!) who sings and plays guitar alongside the other guitar guy, Scott Rosenthal (I think), the bass guy and the drum guy – didn’t get introduced to them. Love all this guitar action – some great songs with a touch of Wire/JAMC wall-of-noise in there somewhere. All played with energy and obvious enthusiasm. They played just under an hour of thrashy loud guitar noise pop. No encore but they had done enough to retain that sweet spot.

Support bands were Box of Light who are self-described as “surfy beach vibes” (who knew?) – another female fronted band – 5 of them from Norwich I think. Third support were Irish Saint Sister. Sorry I arrived half way through – first harp of the year. Good on them. The new Beverly album has some really good songs.

Drove home in the time it takes to play Nocturnal Koreans. Sweet dreams.

The audience:

Highly appreciative. The 3 tallest people in Bristol (who usually stand in front of me) were elsewhere. No sign of Jeff.

It made me think..

That’s 3 bands fronted by blonde guitarists if you include Alvvays – maybe a pattern emerging here? Now I think of it another highlight of last year was when the excellent PINS supported Wire at the Fleece – and they finished with a joint encore/jam of “Drill”. Someone up there like me.

Definitely the best £8 I’ve spend on a gig since Meilyr Jones here last month.

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