Hidden Herd are really becoming an important part of the Brighton Music Scene. They have pulled together some diverse and interesting line ups. Not every act may be to your taste, but the desire to be different and promote quality deserves undivided attention. This is their second All-Dayer event at the Green Door Store, and the line up is getting serious. Genuinely all killer and absolutely zero filler. To make matters worse, for our post Glastonbury recovery haze, we actually really want to see the first band on.
Slightly flustered from the rush, we enter the midday darkness to a lovely jangly guitar line, from the Stanford Family Band. ‘Nothing Like Something’ propels itself on a jaunty skiffle rhythm. Perfect indie pop. Bottom of the bill, but a worthy headliner, who are catching the attention of many a Brighton gig goer. Rory’s solo on his Gibson is worthy of J Mascis or the Beatles.
Road hardened, Room Service have clearly been playing a lot lately. Their performance is getting more and more effortlessly confident, which is something their wry jazz rock requires. Tight strat licks and funky drumming ensue. There is no obvious box to put them in as they plough a unique furrow between Fleetwood Mac and the songs of Jim Steinmen, with a punky dose of Nina Hagen. ‘No Exemptions’ has a really nice rolling guitar line that drives what should be a future hit while ‘Hot Dog’ is given a super sassy delivery.
Vanity Fairy looks spectacular in her gold sequins as she takes to the stage. A one woman explosion of Studio 54 vibes and playfulness. Her songs are somewhere between Kate Bush and Donna Summer. The slower ‘Taste 4 Luv’ fully displays her full impressive vocal range. Homemade business cards, which are actually Karma Sutra cards with stickers, are distributed around the crowd before she gets back on the disco train. She ends with new single Top of The Pops and the entire crowd is beaming from ear to ear.
Is there actually a Brighton show without Ladylike on the line up? Tonight they are on stunning form, with the best sound they’ve had in months and a sense of being refreshed, that really lifts the songs. Single ‘Southbound’ has a euphoric start. They dreamily capture the sound of Big Thief and the Cocteau Twins. Source very much looks forward to taking the songs home as an album. They will clearly make great home listening. The future bodes well as the two new songs: ‘Concrete’ and ‘Sour Carol’ they end on; are excellent.
Fräulein have great stage presence. Joni’s vocal delivery drives the songs from the first second. For a two piece their sound fills the room. It has a lot going on, with Karsten’s excellent drumming. “This is one of the most malfunctioning shows we’ve ever done” laughs Joni. The crowd don’t care as ‘Preening’ brings the set to a fantastic close.
Trip Westerns are straight in with ‘Alive’. Harrison is a commanding presence. ‘Free Mind’ adds some Sabbath level heaviness to the sound and brings some cheers from the crowd. The musicianship is off the scale. These guys really are special. The harmonica comes out for ‘False Start’, and the ensuing blues hits the special spot in the groin that drives the Devil’s best songs. Massive shout out to Green Door Store barman and Ellis-D drummer Jed, who is standing in on the drums for one gig only and playing the songs like a beast.
Currls as ever are delightful, battling admirably against a diminished audience thanks to the football. Sadly it is Jacks last gig with the band. This is a serious shame as he is such a fun musician to watch. Still as their set draws to a riotous close England win a penalty shoot out and fun times suitably erupt.
We are drawn back in from chatting outside under the evening blue sky by Bishopskin with their biblical brand of folk rock. Since last seeing them at the Hope we have grown to love their debut album. Tiger’s vocal delivery is deeply captivating. A looping vocal harmony for ‘Born’ is deeply hypnotic before the song goes in a million directions. The band is clearly in a state of flux. Several new members are on stage and there is a sense of tension, but the quality of the songs and musicianship carry the show.
The stage is now set for the headliner with a jubilant and expanded post football audience, and boy does this set deliver. The Leeds based six piece Adult DVD fill the stage with tables of synths and a wealth of likeable effortless charisma. They have a party and so do we, from the second the catchy bass line of ‘Hoarder’ explodes.
‘7 foot 1’ from their next ep delivers a proper Roland TB-303 squelchy acid line that crescendos in all the perfect ways. Splendid stuff.
What a dirty joyous cacophony, chock full of bangers set to be big hits. It kind of like how you might imagine Kasabian sound on paper but actually good and fun. They take the same ingredients; the exact same ones, but they don’t overcook them with lashings of pomposity. They fry them and our minds just right.
New single ‘Doomsday Prepper’ is an electro monster with its tale of getting ready for the end of days.
A bit of banter about bands from Leeds and they do a cover of their remix of a Treeboy & Arc tune ‘Role Models’. It’s simply great.
The acid is back for ‘Sadman Mancave’ which sounds like a driving early release from Mute Records and matches ‘Warm Leatherette’ pound for pound.
The set closes with singer Harry sat astride an audience member’s shoulders as the song ‘Bill Murry’ provides a party crescendo with its repeated almost nonsense DaDa lyrics.
We leave for the Albert, with smiles on our faces, and new found friends from a band from Leeds. What a perfect day the Hidden Herd All-Dayer has been. Source cannot wait for number three. Long may this new institution continue.
The 2nd Hidden Herd All Dayer
Green Door Store – 6th July
Words – Nick McAllister
Pictures – Stan O’Shea
