Newblood 7th Feb 08 The Forum

9:54am Monday 11th February 2008

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NewBlood just keeps getting better. Another packed out audience and another quality lineup. The three bands, 2 Many Units, The Talks and Bikini Black Special, provided an evening full of contrast and quality much to crowd bopping enjoyment of all there.

2 Many Units stepped into the breach at the last minute and gave a fine acoustic performance of 3 sweet songs. I really enjoyed this simple performance; it did what all music should and actually stirred a bit of emotion, perfectly punctuated with some unbelievably relaxed percussion!

The second act of the night took the previous relaxed atmosphere and moved the whole audience to a jumping mass within a matter of songs. The Talks had a set of fast moving, upbeat songs that definitely impressed everyone watching. Ska roots were coursing through the set, which only made it better in my opinion. I was too busy enjoying their performance to find any faults with them and doubt that any one else would have done. From playing around the UK and having a set at this years Carling Reading/Leeds festival the band might have been above this small gig but played with an energy that was infectious and definitely gained them one new fan.

The final act of the evening, Bikini Black Special, gave another impressive performance to round the night off. A set with some pounding tunes and all coursing with electronic samples and keyboards served to keep everyone dancing, although perhaps the style was not too everyone's taste. Bikini Black Special were the first female fronted headline band that I have seen in a while and she had a great voice to compliment all of the songs. The whole band in fact, worked extremely well together and was boasting some pretty neat chops that carried the songs along really well. Definitely the most advanced players of the night; a tight rhythm section just made the songs a whole lot more interesting. Three keyboards also boosted the whole sound and created a noise that was much more interesting and at points mesmerising to listen to. The addition of a million or so glow sticks at the beginning gave the performance a twisted kind of rave feel as much of the audience danced along with hands in the air. A completely different band to the previous acts but equally as talented. Overall, a pretty decent night with a trio of superb bands.

Jamie Rutherford