Another year over, a plethora of bands passed and only one
winner could be crowned, welcome to the Wedgewood rooms showcase grand final. 5
bands had battled through heats and semi final stages to take to the world
famous Wedgewood stage which has seen the likes of Gorillaz, Oasis, Kasabian,
Vampire Weekend and Muse to name a few, and now it was the turn of Station 47,
Cyprian Sceptre, Flowvers, Demonheads and Grief Daddy.
The wonder of the showcase is the pure raw talent that it
throws out every year since it’s conception, every year that I have taken part
I am taken aback by just how much talent is actually in our little island town
of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas, which makes platforms like the
showcase so important for local live music, creating a permanent position for
those who would like to strut their proverbial musical stuff in front of an
audience whilst also having the opportunity to get a foot into the music
industry. What is also great to see is the unbridled support for every single
band that not only took part in final but overall through the whole
competition.
The first of the bands to take to the stage of the evening
were Station 47, a 4 piece consisting of 2 guitarists, a bassist and drummer.
It had always been so clear from heats that Station 47 hold every single chess
piece needed to become a well established band, from their dueling vocals to
tight guitar solos adorned by jazz like bass rhythms. One special mention from
me goes to a catchy little ditty of a song called ‘Red Stripe’ which has me
whistling and singing away from the showcase for the first time. One thing I
hope from the band is that they get a few releases under their belt as they
could hold their own as support for any band passing through these parts as
well as headlining their own shows.
Next up were possibly the youngest and most supported band
in showcase history Flowvers (yes that is how you spell it) with an energy that
was palpable from the front to the back of the room. Their support packed the
first few rows of the stage including their dads who garbed band t-shirts in
support of their sons. With a sound that falls somewhere in between shoegaze, indie
pop and The Stone Roses from the get go it’s pretty obvious where the bands influences
come from, speeding through their set at 101kmh they kept the energy at a high
with the occasional time issue. What is great about Flowvers is that they have
so much confidence for a band so young, with the right support system around
them and hands pointing in correct directions they could go on to do great
things either as a unit themselves or separately in different projects.
Talking of firsts, for the first time also this year we had “in
fighting” between 2 bands which also managed to make the news and bring
attention from a local MP. The rivalry between Cyprian Sceptre and Grief Daddy
dragged itself from the heats all the way to the finals intensifying as it did,
including the popping of balloons, stage invasions, stickers and general
anarchy. Safe to say it was as entertaining to watch as it probably was to take
part in also, well done to them.
Up to the half way stage of the night we were all introduced
to Cyprian Sceptre, which is where also the night took a sharp right turn. I
had never seen them before so I was exposed to a genre of music I had never
experienced before with instruments including flutes, clarinets, a banjo, an
old organ, hand drums, cow bells and an acoustic guitar to name but a few. I
can only describe Cyprian Sceptre as Sea Shanty folk, if you’re trying to work
out what that would sound like imagine Pirates Of The Caribbean crossed with
Fishermans Friends with a little bit of Frank Turner added in for good measure.
Although niche the set was enjoyable from start to finish keeping the concentration
of the crowd, which I feel they could also do anywhere else they would like to
play.
Demonheads followed Cyprian Sceptre in what I can only
describe as a full on assault of the eardrums, another band that bought 110% to
every one of their sets from heats to the final. Demonheads are 2 piece
consisting of only a guitar and drums. Like every great 2 piece that I could
list Demonheads bought everything and the kitchen sink with them to their
performance with energy that a full band could produce and a sound to boot. Demonheads
win the award for only band of the night to get half naked, living up to their
rock influences which possibly included Band Of Skulls, Biffy Clyro, Queens Of
The Stone Age and maybe Royal Blood. Any direction that the band takes from
here is a successful route as they are a tight knit unit with a great selection
of original music.
Now, I can only say that I have been left speechless by very
few things in my life but the final act of the night Grief Daddy not only left
me speechless but also completely blew my mind and left me without thought or
feeling generally. From the first song members of the crowd were either fully
into the band or they were picking their jaws up from the floor in total shock.
With a backdrop highlighting lyrics partnered with images of Rupert Murdoch,
babies dancing and money raining down adding in their own personal smart
dressed man dancing. Grief Daddy play what I can only describe as Chromeo meets
Art Brut on acid with influences of hip and trip hop, even then I don’t feel I’m
getting across everything that Grief Daddy actually do. Where do they go from
here? Aldi...I don’t know? Wherever they go it’ll be brilliant for whoever is
going to witness it.
The votes were then counted, the judges scores totted up for
around 10 minutes and compere (me) returning to the stage the winner was to be
announced along with their prizes. Up for grabs were 2 slots at Icebreaker
Festival next year, recording time and monetary vouchers for The Wedgewood
Rooms. The runner up of the evening winning an afternoon slot at Icebreaker
were young outfit Flowvers, and the winner of The Showcase 2017 were...Grief
Daddy.
In closing I can say that it’s great to be a part of the
showcase this year, a massive well done to everyone involved and a big well
done goes to Mike Hartley for his ongoing efforts in organizing and making
every heat happen. The Wedgewood Rooms staff from promotions, security to the
bar staff for also supporting the nights and keeping everyone safe and
hydrated, all of the judges that took part this year your knowledge is second
to none and it is well appreciated and last but not least once again well done
and thank you to every band that took part in The Showcase 2017, see you all in
2018!
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