Field Music & Friends
Brudenell Social Club
2nd December 2017
Field Music put together an epic and eclectic line up packed with some of the best bands around as they all descend on the Brudenell for a fantastic day of music.
Tonight is the second Us Vs Them after Los Campesinos brought together a brilliant line up last year, Field Music have been invited to do the same. On paper you really couldn’t ask for much more, supremely eclectic but all with something similar about them. For the majority that something seemed to be one of the Brewis brothers making an appearance. As we arrive Sarah Hayes is about to take to the stage.
With both Brewis brothers on stage with her, they play some of the new tracks which she has been working on with Peter Brewis. All of which are as yet untitled but you can immediately hear glimmers of the Field Music magic perfectly complimenting Hayes beautiful voice. These delicate and heartfelt songs augmented by daft on stage banter make for a perfect and relaxing start.
With The Cornshed Sisters quick to carry that theme on, their gritty and passionate songs are so sweet yet their lyrics are sometimes awash with dark themes. The likes of Jobs For The Boys which is about the misogyny of the workforce, there are other tracks that are more endearing though like Honey & Tar. It’s a truly wonderful set and The Cornshed Sisters always put on a captivating show.
The same can be said for SLUG (whose front man Ian Black is also currently playing drums for The Cornshed Sisters), but for all of the wrong reasons. Despite missing their stage time by some thirty minutes, they set about their first track with their front man completely out of tune. He makes light of that though and has drummer Damo Waters fill in with a pretty epic drum solo.
With Black back up and running they set about cramming as much into the time they have left, it’s a made ten minutes that follows with Black screaming at the crowd winning them back over. In spite of all of the madness that had gone before him, he soldiered on, closing out on an emphatic rendition of Running To Get Past Your Heart.
Trying to top that set was going to be almost impossible but Emma Pollock managed to do so in her own way, her delicate tracks are nothing like the madness we’ve just witnessed. Instead, thoughtful and deep words fill the air as we find ourselves falling completely under Pollock’s spell, as she adds yet another facet to this incredible line up.
C Duncan also brings another very different sound as he veers ever closer to when Wild Beasts were at the top of their game. The Scottish singer tonight is full of these upbeat electronic infused pop jams, with the likes of Wanted To Want It Too and Like You Do being the stars of tonight’s set. So far every artist has continually shone in their own right, this line up really lives up to the hype.
As C Duncan finishes Warm Digits take to the stage and waste very little time in unleashing a barrage of krautrock upon an unsuspecting audience. By far one of the best kept secrets in British music right now, they’re always a force to be reckoned with. This is no understatement and tonight they once again take it to a new level, their frantic performances never fail to leave us awestruck.
The likes of Growth of Raindrops and End Times garner the biggest reaction but for us it’s everything about this duo. Their speed and enthusiasm knows no bounds. You feel tired just watching them as they continually produce some of the most jaw dropping music. Their dancefloor grooves and Krautrock sensibility setting them apart from the rest and tonight they really shine.
As if all of this wasn’t already enough Dutch Uncles take to the stage with a whole slew of tracks both new and old and continue the party atmosphere. Kicking off with Oh Yeah they have everyone dancing from the off, the likes of Fester, Flexxin and Big Balloon all sustain the ecstatic tempo of their set.
Duncan’s infectious dance moves are certainly rubbing off on many of the people in the crowd tonight as so many people can be seen copying him, there is a rightful excitement and a real buzz around Dutch Uncles tonight. As they once again prove why they’re one of our favourite bands, their off kilter pop music similar to tonight’s hosts- a fact which the band are keen to remind people of tonight.
The Lovely Eggs add another facet to tonight’s line up with their own brand of DIY punk and as we walk into the room they’ve already taken the stage and are intent on tearing the roof off. This duo never fail to impress, with their honest and frank songs always provide a highlight wherever they pop up. There aren’t many places where you could be tonight and hear a chorus of People Are Twats being yelled at the tops of peoples voices.
Round that off with the likes of Fuck It and Dickhead and you have the recipe for success, they never fail to make everyone smile with their on stage madness and tonight really is no different. Personal favourite track Magic Onion is arguably one of the highlights of the entire day as well as People Are Twats of course. In our eyes The Lovely Eggs can do no wrong.
Despite all of the madness that has gone before them Field Music calmly take to the stage to a rapturous reception, as they open with new track Time In Joy. Before diving into a plethora of older tracks, no matter what Field Music turn their hand to there is always a very distinct sound to it and that shows across this set tonight. Despite always varying the style there is always that bit of signature Field Music magic involved.
That shines through on the likes of Count It Up and Share A Pillow, as well as it being evident throughout their back catalogue with the likes of Noisy Days, New Thing and A House Is Not A Home. It’s the perfect end to a wonderful day though, the Brewis brothers have supremely eclectic and exciting taste and that has shown throughout today. You really cannot fault any of the acts either each one has put on a fine show and Field Music closed the day out in real style!
All words by Lee Hammond. You can check out more work by Lee at his Louder Than War author’s archive, he also tweets as @Napzap.
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