Independent Grassroots Music Venues, you have to love them especially when the bands they host provide such great nights. Sneaky Petes in Edinburgh presented a night of pure fun away from the mayhem of the August Festivals. Eades headlined to create the mayhem inside instead…..and all on a Monday night!
An almost sell-out venue saw ur.frnd open for only their second ever gig. The trio were relaxed onstage even though they were a band member down. With just one single released ‘Grow‘ they were delighted with the response to their ambient music. Led by Jules-Franck Bellamy, the final two songs in particular showcased the potential of this band with their increase in power and pace.
Next onstage were Midnight Ambulance who have just released their new single ‘Smoke and Sweets‘. Haunting yet primal this band combine drums, guitar and keyboards in such a way as to make them stand out from the current post-punk crowd. They are quite rightly beginning to garner some support and the room was full of appreciation for this set. Highlight was ‘Someone Else’s House’ which had an element of Siouxsie and the Banshees with the driving beats and distinct vocals.
And finally to Leeds based bands Eades. Having released their debut album Delusion Spree in the spring, the 5-piece bounded onto the stage. Opening with ‘Reno’ it was obvious they were having the best time! Asking the crowd to move forward and letting rip on Sneaky Pete’s small stage their set was full of energy and danceability. Normally this reviewer makes a couple of notes as the bands play just as reminder of the night. I have nothing on Eades. Simply because I did not want to miss one note. Rattling through various tracks from the album including ‘Welcome Goodbye’, Ever Changing’, ‘Former Warnings Cluster’ and of course title track ‘Delusion Spree’ the band were obviously having as good a time as the crowd. Gigs in Edinburgh in August have to compete with the Festivals but it was wonderful to see a packed room for Eades. Not easy to pigeonhole, this is music to freak out to on the dancefloor, full of scuzzy guitars and frenetic energy with various combinations of vocals which add to their sound. They closed out with the final track from the album ‘Sundays‘, a last blast before we headed back out into the Festival mayhem.
