Live Review :: The K's/Paris Street Rebels/The Lids/Al Moses :: The Finsbury, London - Oct 27 2018

Live

The K's / Paris Street Rebels / The Lids / Al Moses

The Finsbury, London

October 27 2018

Words: Linn Branson

Pictures: Steve Willcox, Linn Branson

For the 27th night of October it was Little Indie's turn to curate as part of the annual #Blogtoberfest event which sees 31 online zines each share their pick of the best UK emerging acts.

We were never in any doubt about choosing our hot four, and as the four 19-year-olds from the South Wales valleys, Al Moses, took to warming up the crowd, we knew we were right. Despite their debut single, the sizzling 'I Want More', still to be released in November, they brought a young, raw and keen presence to The Finsbury's stage, with dual lead vocalists Daf Thomas and Jack Shepherd drawing focus. Having the week before played Cardiff's Swn Festival, as a future prospect, and once momentum builds as their name becomes known, they look like they could be a band we'll be hearing a lot more of.

                            

Leicester's Britrock 'n' indie band The Lids exhibit a tougher edge, though the songs like live favourite 'Delectable' and latest single 'I’m So Bleak' are all geared to get feet moving and bring out the good feel vibes as they pull out the guitar riffs and attitude. Leading into set finale 'Floating In My Head', frontman Liam Butler - brother Rhys is guitarist - thanks the crowd with a "We're The Lids - and you've been... very, very nice." As were they. An excellent band to catch live.

 

  

 

Playing their first gig in England, Fife outfit Paris Street Rebels will undoubtedly be a name to keep on the radar for 2019. On the strength of Little Indie's praise for their debut single 'Freakshow' back in August, they were immediately snapped up by top promoters This Feeling for a few more live dates. And it's unlikely that this four-piece are going disappoint anyone. Whether or not they brought a few fellow Scots down tonight, they managed to whip up dancing bods with their instantly irresistible, forceful set from 'Villains' through 'Juniors Delerium', to a masterful seque of 'The Kids Are Alright into their own 'Teddy Boys' - highlight of set - before ending on the aforementioned 'Freakshow'.

 

As the Halloween revelry continues out in the bar, The K's bring their brand of gritty indie rock down from the North West area of Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows to close the night. Hammering out the driving sound of their wiry guitars on hits like the explosive 'Sarajevo' and Little Indie favourite 'Got A Feeling', they soon draw the curious and fans alike into the room. Jamie Boyle exudes a bagfull of frontman energy as he works his raw, northern accented vocals across the catchy, biting melodies of new, radio friendly single 'Glass Towns', interspersed with a jump or guitar flourish here and there. They know how to work it, these four guys, and it's easy to see how they have built up a cult following around the Manchester area.

And as The K's conclude their set, so too ends Little Indie's blogged selection as part of the wonderful #Blogtoberfest. And we couldn't have been happier with our choices for what was our second year curating a night for the festival. See you all next year!