As soon as the doors open at Oxford Art Factory there is a steady stream of ticket holders making their way inside. The venue, which has silent films being projected onto the walls and a line of lounges on the back wall, sets the scene for what will be a night of great indie-rock tunes.
That’s exactly what punters get when Hattie Carroll takes the stage, giving a great performance that gets the early crowd tapping their toes and swaying to the phat bass lines, jazzy drums and tasty guitar riffs that make it impossible to stand still. “Flat Out” is a great song, making you picture a modern-day Dire Straits or The Police.
Despite a few amp difficulties for guitarist James Anthony, the five-piece indie group don sunglasses and power on into an excellent cover of Eve’s “Let Me Blow Your Mind”. It’s so unexpected and amazing that it works – seeing the whitest of the white rapping out over the signature keyboard is nothing short of genius on their part and it gets the entire venue on their feet, bopping and singing (rapping) along.
After the impressive opening set of Hattie Carroll, Louis London are up next and have a hard act to follow. They slide into a pretty chilled set to begin with; slick riffs, clean bass and smooth vocals from front-man Ed Saloman, whose face twists and contorts as he belts out the lyrics, looking as though he’s had far too much coffee, to the general delight of the crowd.
With the venue packed wall to wall and punters riled up and sweaty from two great opening acts, it comes time for Castlecomer to take the stage, kicking off their Lone Survivor EP tour. They waste no time launching into their signature sound of hip-swivelling folk music that isn’t quite folk and pop music that isn’t quite pop. Whatever label you want to attach to it, the end result is a brilliant fusion of genres that is truly a delight on the ears.
The boys launch into “Danny’s Den” with a minute long introduction building up to the almost sombre lyrics that lead singer Bede Kennedy dishes out. It’s a song that everyone knows the words to and Kennedy is almost drowned out by the crowd during the chorus.
“Eyes” is one of those songs that would look great on a soundtrack for the climax of some rom-com movie. It’s heartfelt, raw with classical elements of old rock throughout but in no way does it feel ancient or sluggish, with its upbeat guitar solos and easy to sing-a-long lyrics, “Eyes” becomes a crowd favourite.
Channelling some Elvis Presley inspired dancing, “Rosie” is probably the biggest dance number of the night with its simplistic lyrics, infectious keyboard provided by Joe Neely, and a power-pop tune that has the whole venue on their feet moving about. Even the ticket goers who decided on a comfortable lounge up the back instead of the dance floor find themselves getting up on their feet, a few even climbing onto the lounges and walls for a better view.
The main set ends and the call for one more song is soon answered with the boys returning with a selection of brass horns and a cover that no one saw coming. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk has been everywhere of late and to hear it coming from this indie-folk-rock-pop five piece is nothing short of excellent. At the end, Kennedy quips, “I’m glad you called us back for that one, because I learnt the French horn for that shit and it ain’t easy!”
Made up of a few brothers, cousins and a childhood friend, Castlecomer are a family and it shows on stage by how well they all play off one another. But it’s their harmonies that really add another layer to their sound, five voices singing together as one along to the music transports you into a harmonized bliss that makes you feel warm and cosy.
It’s here that “Forrest” really showcases the vocal talent of Castlecomer, not just from one singer but from all members. What starts as a slow, mournful lament builds up into catchy, feel-good folk-pop anthem that is really the perfect closing song of the night. With five members singing together, why not have all five drumming together at the same time? That’s exactly what Castlecomer do, bringing out two extra floor toms and having a marathon drumming session that delights all.
The roar is deafening as Castlecomer leave the stage for the last time and if tonight’s performance is any indication of what to expect from this tour, it’s going to be one to remember.
