Another night watching bands at the King Tuts Summer Nights event and this time around I hadn’t heard of a single band on the bill before, however I came away with a few new favourites. With performances from headliners Ample House, Fir The Band, Eyes Of Home and Barranquismo, it was a stacked bill.
With a large indie rock vibe throughout the night with the exception of Barranquismo who lean more into groove rock, there was a special vibe in the air that was soon to be filled with large choruses and the sounds of four distinct up and coming bands.
Kicking the night off was newcomers Barranquismo (no I don’t know how to pronounce that either). Their groove rock sound had most people in the steady filling room ready to dance. Their modern take on a classic sound sees them technically really impressive. Their only released track ‘Gods Among Us’ does not even touch on what they really sound like live, this band take their groovy tones and make a show that’s so fun and gives you the feeling of being on holiday. One of my favourite tracks from their set has to be ‘tortured’ which took a more chilled out approach, feeling like the calming waves coming in at the end of the night. Still being a really new band, I believe this was their third gig, I was super impressed by how great they sound together.
Coming in with the indie, retro sounding indie rockers Eyes Of Home from Edinburgh definitely made their mark on the night. This is a band that have been gaining attention including having single ‘Red Flag’ played on BBC Introducing. Seeing them live I had no questions about why these guys are getting that attention, their dynamic approach on the genre is spirited and full of new life. I would say sound wise they clearly pull from the past but don’t get me wrong these guys are giving something fresh and new. They have a sort of quiet stage presence letting the music speak for itself, and it does. The unique vocal and indie guitars has me wanting to see them again.
Fir The Band were the next to take to the stage. Another indie band but this time they take the genre in a more emotive or ‘sad songs’ direction. If you’ve listened to them recorded there’s a lot more effects on the tracks whereas seeing them live gives a more striped down experience that honestly I prefer. Watching Fir The Band perform they appear to get as lost in their music as the crowd does, and that’s easy to do. From the occasional bright guitar tone to the soft indie vocal and the deep feeling lyrics there’s so much to get lost in with these guys, they don’t need any frills or extras.
I don’t know where to start with headliners Ample House other than to say I have found a new band I completely love. From their incredible powerful songwriting talents to their completely captivating stage presence, it makes sense to me why so many people in the crowd that night were already wearing their shirts walking in. Delivering an indie soundscape that belongs on stage you’re likely to cry and laugh and dance throughout an Ample House set and I am pretty sure I did all three. It’s impossible not to want to move and be a part of it while these guys are on stage. I fully believe after seeing them completely take over that room at King Tuts that I can say “I saw Ample House before they got big”, the atmosphere they create will take them to much bigger stages I have no doubt.
A lively crowd and bands that brought their huge sounds to the stage this night is one that won’t be soon forgotten. Each artist was great in their own right, each one leaving everything on that stage and I’d be surprised if all of them don’t come away from this with a few new fans. In my opinion this is exactly what these King Tuts gigs are about, finding the next generation of bands that are going to own much bigger stages, and I think that was especially true on this night. I personally am already desperate to see headliners Ample House again.