For the launch of their EP, Ignite, Lights Out arranged a DIY night of live music featuring a range of young local musicians.
Beginning with some solo performers, rapper Hexd started the night off with lyrical flows; track ‘Rude to Me’ was clearly a known favourite amongst this audience of peers.
Theo Kendall brought guitar and banjo to emotive heights; a track with the refrain “I’m not human” was a breathtaking performance. The deep and thoughtful songs were blended with some lighter, occasionally Americana-style covers in a stunning set.
The Mini Flinny’s were a stand-in act created to fill a gap in the line up, comprising of brothers Charlie and Theo Flintoft. Having had approximately ten minutes to put their set together, they delighted with a range of covers including REM’s Losing My Religion and Tenacious D’s Tribute.
Eoghan McCarthy-Moreton and Sam Wrigley – collectively Eoghan and the Afterthought – mingled random prize-giving, comedy gags and megawatt smiles with lovely, lilting tunes, from the Beatles to Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released.
Matching outfits can be a marmite moment for some bands, but the Mondegreen members made it work, their outfits and tight playing establishing that they ARE an outfit. With a smattering of Red Hot Chilli Peppers covers in a pleasing set, their old school ties proved too cool for school.
Lights Out took to the stage and prefaced their EP Launch set by welcoming the audience to the dance floor – a plea that does not always work but on this occasion, it was as if people were simply waiting for permission, as they surged forward and the party started.
As well as their original tracks from their EP – Whats it Like, Monster, and Just Want You (to Notice), they blazed through a litany of popular covers such as Abba’s Dancing Queen and a particularly pleasurable rendition of Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer. The dancing and spirit of support continued throughout.
As if this successful headline set was not enough, there was a prologue provided by Skunk Tails, who brought fun and irreverence to funky covers; Chic’s Le Freak a stand out amidst a pleasing denouement to a fine evening. To end the night, the members of Lights Out gave a brief, informal encore.
The organisation of the evening also apparently forms part of the course work for Lights Out band member and Sixth Form student, Charlie. Besides contending that coursework seems to have become much more fun than this reviewer remembers it being, from this perspective, it was A-star work.
