Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Admiral Fallow
Reviews

Admiral Fallow Review

Jan 10, 2013
-
Posted by Dan Griffiths

The first really bitter evening for a while didn’t stop anyone coming out to Green Door Store for this one. Worth noting the venue has a new stage so if you’re at the back you will actually get to see the band…

Fellow Glaswegians, Olympic Swimmers, provided a great precursor to Admiral Fallow. An atmospheric set with some nice use of loops and subtle backing. Singer Susie Smillie’s voice echoed folk styles but with a nod to 80s influenced bands like Brighton’s Esben And The Witch.

After saying he would keep chat to a minimum Admiral Fallow’s frontman Louis Abbott kept the crowd amused between songs with the dry but friendly wit that Scots do so well.

You can’t help but have respect for anyone who can play multiple instruments but Admiral Fallow have more ability than most. Accordion, clarinet, flute, keys and floor toms were swapped around and used throughout the set.

‘Subbuteo’ from their first album was well received with flute and clarinet playing tight counterpoint. The interplay of harmonies between Abbott and Sarah Hayes was a highlight – live it reminds us of Snow Patrol and Martha Wainwright’s ‘Set The Fire To The Third Bar’ or Bright Eyes’ duet with Emmylou Harris on ‘Landlocked Blues’. In short – super tight.

Current single ‘Isn’t This World Enough?’ had audience in good and full voice for the choruses with a bit of coaching from Abbott.

Many of the songs had 3 or 4 piece harmonies but it was a full band a cappella version of ‘Four Bulbs’ that really stood out. Abbott eased the audience into pin-drop quiet with all members stood in a line on stage. Each with a tight part you could hear clarinet player Kevin Brolly’s super low voice propping up the harmonies. Without being dramatic, it was pretty hair-raising to watch.

Closer ‘Old Balloons’ gets a fairly frenetic performance and great response from the crowd. Whilst the band can venture into Doves and Elbow territory on some tracks it somehow feels genuine and heartening instead of contrived.

A special mention to the guy next to us. He couldn’t stop saying things like “I’m SO happy” and “This is BRILLIANT”. We pretty much agree with him – they did warm some cold Brighton hearts.

Green Door Store, Thursday 13th December 2012
Words and photos by Dan Griffiths

Jan 10, 2013
Email
Dan Griffiths
Dan is founder of Brighton based web agency Built by Buffalo who made the SOURCE site. After attending many gigs he decided to start documenting them with photos and reviews. When not nerding off about something or other he spends his time taking pictures, wrangling his cats and travelling with his girlfriend.
← PREVIOUS POST
Chris Floyd, 140 Characters
NEXT POST →
Mac DeMarco Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts Review
    Oct 21, 2025

    Expectations are high with a new Inspector Morse story on stage, sadly this is more a ghost of a Morse story, although die hard fans might enjoy it for the nostalgia.

  • The Lovely Eggs Interview
    Oct 15, 2025

    The Lovely Eggs tell us about their 20th anniversary, the new album and tour with Polite Bureax and some comedy legends supporting.

  • Ocean Film Festival Review 2025
    Oct 11, 2025

    A selection of beautifully shot short films covering diverse ocean lovers' passion for interacting with the sea.

  • Fractured Album Launch, Saturday 20th December
    Oct 10, 2025

    Fractured celebrate the release of their new album supported by Amelia And The Housewives.

  • 2:22 A Ghost Story Review
    Oct 7, 2025

    An evening of two couples having dinner together has never before been so gripping and enthralling, filled with tension, with the ultimate question: is their new house haunted or not?

  • Richard Hawley Review
    Oct 5, 2025

    As Coles Corner turns 20, Richard Hawley dazzled and delighted an up-for-it Worthing crowd with a 2 hour-plus set.

  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Admiral Fallow Review - Brighton Source