Monday, April 05, 2004
Saint Rose & Delays, ULU
We've been to a few medicore gigs at ULU (The Thrills, Jet) but the support bands have always made up for the averageness of the headliners (22-20s and The Zutons respectively). So what of tonights headliners Delays and support band, Saint Rose.Well, Saint Rose open with a very impressive track that starts like I Am The Ressurection and Pounding by Doves. Unfortunatley the rest of set - bar the closer which is a real rocker - are a little too close to Coldplay, and the world is only big enough for one
Coldplay. I did pick up their single, Call For Calm at the merchendise stall, which I'm going to wack on the minidisc player this week. I'll let you know if I think it's any good.So on to the headlines, Delays (note the absence of the "The" - apparently they don't like the definitive article!). I have to say that I am quite impressed. Prior to the gig I had judged the band on their two most recent singles, "A Long Time Coming" (a brilliant pop song) and "Nearer Than Heaven", a little fey and similar to indie no hopers Geneva. But live, the band are genuinely entertaining. Thanks in part to mad as a badger keyboard player, Aaron Gilbert, who's Bez Dance/Liam Swagger/Thousand Yard Stare combination is a winner.
The songs from the new album, Faded Seaside Glamour, all sound strong and far from fey. So good that I went and ordered the album from cdwow today. Hopefully the band will get a good slot at this summer's festivals as I'm sure these sings will sound great some time around sunset on The Other stage at Glastonbury.
