I’m standing outside The Joiner’s in Southampton. The chill
of winter is still looming in the air; however everyone in the cue is waiting
to be warmed up by the Californian band; Iglu and Hartly.
As the crowd moves into the bar there is a certain amount of
excitement in the air. I didn’t really know what to expect. Of course I had
heard their regularly played song; ‘In this City’, but I did not know if this
sunshine band could really get the Hampshire crowd moving.
The night was kicked off by The Common. A British band that
could make rappers like Mike Skinner and Example stand up and applaud. Their
music combined indie, Hip Hop and rock. This type of sound nowadays is rare and
hard for a band to pull off, but The Common really pushed the gig into gear and
left with the crowd roaring for more.
Up next were The Politicians, a band fresh from O.C,
California. The Politicians exploded onto the stage with a punk rock vibe.
However, it wasn’t just the music that was interesting about this band. The
lead singer, Andy Wilker, performed back flips off walls and break dancing, all
flawlessly.
The Politicians were indeed an unusual performance; the
intelligent lyrics and talented instrumentation was embellished by the sheer
enthusiasm of the performers. Once the three Politicians exited the stage Iglu
and Hartly were prepared to play in front of an excited, pumped up crowd.
Then for the big five; Iglu and Hartly. The atmosphere in
the club - even before the band was on stage - was tremendous. Everyone was
trying to get to the front just to party with these L.A gents. Of course no one
was disappointed. Song after song proved that it was indeed a great gig to have
gone to. Hits such as ‘In this City’ and ‘Violent and Young’ were included in the
set list.
By the end of the set the sweaty, energized audience were in
awe. The night had been a blast, but that was not all. The bands were all at
the bar to meet fans and have a refreshing beverage afterwards.
This gig proved that live music is one rare opportunity to
really see what makes a band as successful as they are. I believe we will hear
a lot from Iglu and Hartly in 2010.
Mortimer Pockett