Belles Will Ring, Made InJapan, The Preachers @ OAF,Sydney (28/01/11)

Tue 1st Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

As part of the first of Oxford Art Factory’s Sleepover nights of 2011 a varied array of talent from around the area came to show us their wares. Four artists were slated for the main room and these were to be the focus for the evening. Belles Will Ring headlining on their ‘Come North With me Baby, Wow’ Tour

Opening tonight was a rather young looking ragtag crew know as The Tsars. Initial impressions was a Tame Impala influenced psychedlica, though this was soon altered with what the lead singer announced as an old song. From his age I assumed he must have written it when he was 12. All being said, a messy set, though the lead kid seems a step above the rest of the band.

The second band The Preachers were a step up, taking the stage with a their loud energetic blues rock with the added element of a female keyboardist. The stage at OAF was too small to contain the energy this band expels between the five of them. It’s odd when a different band member takes lead vocal and the band style changes as happens with The Preachers, from Blues to Soul. Both styles are fine, as is the odd ballad, though such large variation does feel strange within one band.

Strangely for Made in Japan the crowd decided not to come forward as with the earlier acts. Though this did not detract from any applause gained. Playing a brand of pop they were akin to Phoenix without the encompassing melody, or Two Door Cinema Club without the edge. Their singing drummer in his polo shirt seems very comfortable and the rich intricate guitars working in unison is so perfectly in time. A dazzling display of musicianship and precision showed that with something extra this band could impress the masses.

Belles Will Ring have been working the traps for a few years now and this certainly shows. Another band with a female keyboardist on show, who also provided some clarinet and percussion on top of what is otherwise a general band setup. This all moulds very nicely. Opening with The Coldest Heart, you could feel a warmth to their sound, and what seemed to be the beginnings of a good show. With a fill in bass player who stood out like a goth at Woodford Folk Festival. Belles Will Ring managed a comfortable show. New song and title track of this tour Come North With Me Baby, Wow was a highlight showing that this band is not done with just yet.

Liam Judson on lead vocal and guitar has a is a decent frontman however incorrectly naming their main support band almost came across as intentional rather than accident and in general he came across as a tad arrogant. Lauren Crew seems to flow on the rest of the band and when the band is having fun she seems to perform at her best. Aidan Roberts on guitar and backing vocal has a good presence and at one stage took advantage of the gap between stage and crowd to jump down for a gutar solo which was quite effective.

From what began as a rusty variation of sounds, OAF managed to host an intruiging mix of styles suiting their hipster stylings. You can certainly have done worse than hitting the OAF tonight for a few drinks and live music.