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
The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
Drug Store Romeos playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
Drug Store Romeos playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
Drug Store Romeos playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)
Reviews

The Orielles Review

Mar 4, 2020
-
Posted by Ashley Laurence

Our experience of The Orielles was fairly limited before wandering into Chalk tonight. Spotify had snuck them into our radio a handful of times so we were pumped to see if the stage presence was on par with the sound.


The Yorkshire-based band has gained some serious momentum, with their second album ‘Disco Volador’ dropping on Heavenly Recordings a few days before the show. We’re hoping for some well polished and sharp tracks to lift our otherwise dreary Saturday.

The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)

Chalk is at a fitting capacity, not so packed that we are rubbing shoulders, but tight enough that the room feels cosy. Meandering in a tad late, we arrived just as the Drug Store Romeos are kicking off. The band from Hampshire released their debut song just under two years ago and going by tonight’s set their unique and whimsical style is definitely something to look out for.

The floaty and ethereal vocals are paired with sharp, clean drumbeats and deep basslines which makes for an interesting and pleasant combination. The three-piece ensemble really set the mood going into the main performance, leaving the audience hungry for some heavy guitar riffs.

Drug Store Romeos playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)

The Orielles come out swinging with the opening track from the new album. ‘Come Down On Jupiter’ excellently juxtaposes fast-paced guitar and drums with long, drawn-out vocals from lead singer and bassist Esmé Dee Hand-Halford.

While this first song comes off well, the second proves to be a bit of a nightmare for guitarist Henry Carlyle Wade who swaps his guitar out multiple times, clear frustration playing across his face throughout.

Turning potential tragedy into success, Wade comes back with increased vigour going into the rest of the performance. Clearly much appreciating a working instrument, Wade wowed us with some excellent riffs, pedalling between some wailing notes and very rocky elements. With enough energy for a whole band, Wade puts on some definite theatrics and some rather interesting facials to match.

The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)

As we hurtle into the latter part of the night we’re treated to the definite crowd favourite ‘Bobbi’s Second World’. Upon hearing the song’s title, a cheer comes up from the truest of fans and the rest of the audience feels the hype. The vocals are clear, defined and energetic with the live performance doing the album track justice.

The final songs in the set see the welcome addition of cowbell from drummer Sidonie B Hand-Halford, as well as some carefree whooping from her sister Esmé. The band clearly don’t take themselves too seriously, yet they sound delightfully fresh and upbeat. The four members are really finding their groove in the final tracks, with the mostly stationary Esmé making multiple trips to the front of the stage, getting up close and personal with the crowd.

The Orielles playing Chalk, Brighton Source gig review. Shot by Ashley Laurence (time for Heroes Photography)

After the final track comes to a close, the audience seems satiated. Some cheers for another song comes from the truest of fans once again, but they’ve already played right up to the curfew. Wandering out of Chalk tonight, we think The Orielles will have to graduate from our Spotify radio right into our favourite’s playlist.

Chalk, Saturday 1st March 2020
Words by Daniel Ralphs
Photos by Ashley Laurence

Mar 4, 2020
Email
Ashley Laurence
I'm a music, events and portrait photographer (Time for Heroes Photography), balancing freelance work with my day job as a content writer.

I'm a lover of the open-minded, treating people and our planet with respect, punk spirit and take a rather footloose and fancy-free new approach to embrace new experiences. Not a fan of heights.

I adore Brighton's unique character, and have been proudly repping Brighton Source since 2013.
← PREVIOUS POST
Black Futures Review
NEXT POST →
Whiskey Preachin' Album Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • 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.

  • Nick Cave To Play Exclusive Brighton Show Next Summer
    Sep 15, 2025

    Nick Cave returns to Brighton next Summer for an exclusive show with The Bad Seeds in Preston Park.

  • Death Comes to Pemberley Review
    Sep 3, 2025

    Set six years after the marriage of Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, a murder on their estate takes this story into thriller territory.

  • The Lightning Thief Review
    Sep 1, 2025

    A high octane modern musical coming of age adventure about demi-god teens, complete with committed performances, stunning voices, and brilliantly inventive staging.

  • Betty Boo, Sunday 23rd November
    Sep 1, 2025

    The legendary Betty Boo is going on her first ever solo UK tour and you can catch her at The Green Door Store in November.

  • Mutations Festival 2025 Line Up Announcement
    Aug 28, 2025

    FORM are treating us to a Bonfire Weekend full of warm goodness, bangers and fireworks!

  • Pride And Prejudice Review
    Aug 27, 2025

    A beautifully realised adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s best loved books: giving us a grounded, real and hilarious retelling in perfect balance.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
The Orielles Review - Brighton Source