A packed autumn gig schedule has got underway with Brighton club sets from two festival favourites earlier in the year:
Ahab played the Latest Bar on the 22nd and were great. They were in fine voice; their playing is tight and they can always find another gear to lift a strong song higher; and they're very funny and engaging. A nice chat with mandolinist Luke Price afterwards. Still at an early stage in their career, with just two EPs to their name - which I strongly recommend you pick up - they asked the sound man at one point how many songs they had left 'we're only asking because we don't know many'. I hope they can continue in this vein as they, inevitably, get bigger.
- Cloud Control were at Audio last night and I'm afraid I left disappointed. A significantly bigger crowd than last week, enthusiastic and seemingly familiar with the songs - mostly drawn from their wonderful first album but with encouaging new additions. But - as at the Great Escape - they were just too loud. On record there are lovely subtleties to their arrangements, sweet harmonies and intriguing lyrics. Live, they are sacrificing that for an (admittedly powerful) thump and drive and energy. Nice to see Heidi playing guitar on a couple of songs; odd to see Alister celebrating a hot Indian summer in an anorak with the hood up... I might stick to the records till they calm down a bit