Following a host of amazing bands playing for us lately, including Witching Waves, CLT DRP, Crumbs, Mammoth Penguins and ARXX, we were back at The Finsbury on Friday with another dream of a line-up, for a jam-packed night of the best new music.
Kicking things off is the energy-fuelled power of Swimsuit Competition. With raging riffs, immense pounding beats and the soaring gritty force of Amber Scott’s vocals, the band radiate a sense of frenzied fun and vibrant passion.
Next up, adults charm the ears with their ‘tweecore’ indie-pop goodness. Despite guitar issues (soon remedied with the help of Chorusgirl!), their emotion-strewn scuzz, jangly uplifting energy and candied, dreamy harmonies leave me feeling all the feels and a bit more in love with this South London group with each fuzzy note.
Penultimate band of the night, Tape Runs Out, deliver their genre-defying soundscapes with a joyous energy. Filling the stage with seven incredible musicians, each showcasing a sparkling musicality, they create rich, textured offerings, complete with folk strewn strings and the twinkling tones of a hammered dulcimer (a first, I think, for a GIHE night!).
Closing the night, Chorusgirl return to the GIHE stage, nearly three years after playing for us at our first ever night at The Finsbury. It’s pretty special to have them back, having been solid faves for so long, and they certainly don’t disappoint. Treating us to their dreamy garage-pop, effervescent harmonies and impressive driving riffs flow as Silvi’s distinctive, lush vocals soar throughout. Delivering tracks from both their albums, with their utterly unique, shimmering sounds and endearing modest charm, they ooze a heart-rending, cathartic energy. And no more so than when Silvi dedicates my most favourite song to me; as the poignant emotive power of ‘Stuck’ fills the room, I feel my eyes gently moisten, as I’m filled with a wave of joyous pride at how far both this band, and I, have come.
I’m so grateful to be able to bring like-minded people together each month to share their love of great music, and show support for each other, and Chorusgirl remind me of just how important this is.
Huge thanks to all four bands who played for us on Friday! Join us next month, on 11th October, back at The Finsbury with headliners GENN (fka Cryptic Street).
Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto
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