Denmark Street provides the backdrop to the third annual Tin Pan Alley festival, a free event aimed at raising awareness of the charity Shelter. And what a day. When most people were either at Sunday mass or sleeping off their Saturday night induced hangovers, 6500 or so revellers converged to see some of the most exciting bands around.
Kicking off proceedings are Sheffield five-piece APE DRAPE ESCAPE. Looking like they’d got lost in Oxfam en route they took the stage with an unbridled enthusiasm that dared to set the standard for the rest of the day. A mix of angular punk and indie rock saw crowd pleasers ‘At Home Today’ and ‘Uniform’ used to good effect while lead vocalist Martin whips himself into a Jarvis Cocker esque frenzy before diving into the crowd.
Possibly the most exciting band in London at the moment THE HOLLOWAYS took control of the stage next, Pulling more hits out of the bag than Mary Poppins on a good day, these cheeky street urchins didn’t disappoint. ‘Happiness And Penniless’ ‘Generator’ and the new single ‘Two Left Feet’ with its tales of adolescent love see the crowd swell and sing, all the while under an increasingly hot sun. Smiles all round and so far so good.
The initial salute to good times in the sun looks like it’s disappearing fast, giving way to UNTITLED MUSICAL PROJECT. Uncompromising rock sensibilities and ear splitting guitars on ‘A Popular Music Composition’ and the imaginatively titled ‘Why Isn’t Paul McCartney Dead Already’ don’t quite cut it with the crowd. But possession is 9/10th of the law and enthusiasm counts for a lot.
UMP give way to London based electronic rockers KALEV. Think Editors meets Joy Division and you’re half way there. Having built up a solid following of late the recent single ‘Cutting At Nothing’ definitely cuts the mustard. But there’s still a distinct lack of sunshine smiles and the days initial energy is in danger of being well and truly lost.
But never fear, LOUIE are here and determined to turn TPA 2006 around again with their pure punk fuelled passion and a penchant for upbeat songs that would even have your dad tapping his foot. On the face of it, you might think that having two equally exuberant lead singers wouldn’t work. But you’d be wrong. And as the sun shines so does the band with the infectious ‘Curves And Bends’ that sees the likes of The Clash meet Mark E Smith. Job done and done well, TPA is back on track.
Choppy New Cross punk rockers THE VIOLETS take over with a lazy, dazed and disappointing amble through their portfolio complete with shape shifting minimalist dance moves. But despite good renditions of ‘Heart Flow’ and ‘Mirror Mirror’ it doesn’t convince.
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Bring on KEITH, four lads with a keyboard who aren’t afraid to use it. An excess of musical energy, swirling piano and shuffling drums combine to make ‘Mona Lisa’s Child’ and ‘Gunshot Revelry’ instant crowd pleasers, and, if Denmark Street wasn’t packed already, compulsive floor fillers.
As the name suggests FUCK OFF MACHETE aren’t ones to take prisoners. Threatening to catch the crowd off guard they start as they mean to go on. Hard and uncompromising, ‘What’s The Signal’ is a taste of things to come from the Glaswegian trio but nothing can prepare Denmark Street for an inspired cover of Olivia Newton John’s ‘Physical’. Seriously… But it works and it’s all damn good fun.
1950’s rock, skiffle, rhythm and blues and a bit of doo wop thrown in for good measure can mean only one thing. The East Ends VINCENT VINCENT AND THE VILLAINS. A jumble of hats, cardigans and natty diamond socks VVV immediately go about throwing their unique blend of feel good grooves around the small stage with the likes of ‘Blue Boy’ and ‘On My Own’. This is the perfect music for a perfect day.
By now the crowd are in their element and playing on this are BROMHEADS JACKET, just one of the many bands to emerge from the growing Sheffield scene. But don’t confuse them with the Arctic Monkeys. These boys have their own take on things and set about introducing the crowd to their world. A great set all round with one of the many highlights being their version of The Streets ‘When You Wasn’t Famous’.
It’s been a long hot day but its not over yet. Last but not least are headliners BRITISH SEA POWER. Taking the stage to expectant riotous applause BSP go about treating the crowd to an intimate set that underlines their place in British music. Understated and in parts subdued yet equally powerful with ‘Remember Me’ and ‘Please Stand Up’ going down a storm, BSP close the set in truly magnificent way.
As the day draws to a close and the sun set’s over Tottenham Court Road, Tin Pan Alley has undoubtedly pulled it off, raising awareness of Shelter at the same time and in the process proving that it’s possible to get something for nothing.
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