The AV Club host the Softlad party by Lee Egerton

Another Softlad Promotions gig promised to be a top show and it didn’t disappoint.

The Auction Rooms was the venue for a top class line up of Warrington Musicians with Nineties and Abi Rose Kelly supporting The AV Club who have climbed up the pecking order and developed something beautiful in a short space of time. The room was packed out with an eagerly awaiting audience who were in full voice from the off. The show kicked off with the much loved ‘Nineties’. This young outfit hit the ground running with their debut single ‘You’. After watching them at Friars Court, I knew what I was going to get from these guys. However, after speaking to them they appeared to be wanting more. And more they gave with a solid start. 2 upbeat numbers, prompting cheers from the noisy crowd.

Again their songs are easy listening, due to the simplicity in Structures, chord patterns and melodies. The use of 2 lead vocals, ‘Matty and Tom’ helps them add depth and sustains the quality in their vocal efforts, enabling Tom to provide a real attitude in his delivery of the second song! Instrumentally again, they vary the use of the guitars, with the bass lines driving the rhythm adding fills and working with the drums whilst complimenting the guitars. Tom and Matty also alternate rhythm and lead guitar parts and in areas where they need the extra bulk they double up on chords, switching between power chords and barre chords, also making use of the caged system and capo.

The drummer is like a human metronome (or click track if you prefer), hand has a real command of the beat and tempo, using fills cleverly and knowing exactly when to play loud and when to play soft.

The keys are the puzzle that complete the package, utilised by Matty to create a catchy hook with a sound reminiscent of the 1980s. This combination makes the Nineties a very unique sounding band and with them knowing how they want to sound, thinking about the effects and tones they want to use, the band know when to drop instruments out and bring them back in, displaying a clear identity, despite no 2 songs sounding the same.

I can guarantee you, the stand out line with a combination of simple lyrics and catchy melody, a prime example of what they can deliver. Because of this ‘I will never let you go’ will be a lyric stuck in my head for months.

New single out in April it’s called ‘Chasing’ look out for it, as there is so much more to come from these lads. Abi Rose Kelly is a name I have heard about since Riv Fest. Her reputation is ever growing and I wanted to find out for myself what she is like to watch live. After what I’d heard about Abi, I expected attitude, and got it! A real grit within her vocal delivery, as well as controlled pitching and smooth runs. I was excited when I saw the full band set up, with Abi as an avid songwriter!

The best way I can describe Abis songs is Grunge sound with simplistic chord patterns and High energy, but not the standard 4 chords you would get from most bands.

Were you there? I bet you were, are some of the stand out and memorable lyrics The qualities Abi possesses are reminiscent of nirvana from the off.

This girl has the look of a star, and performs like one, really affirming her presence with a stone face, movements with and without a guitar, she could never go unnoticed in front of a crowd. Again, Abi had Versatility with her songwriting, with some songs giving a more punky and aggressive edge, unison vocal lines, backing vocals from the bassist, 2 different chord positions between the guitars, and the drums delivering every beat to match the enthusiasm of everyone. This really involved the members of the band and it felt as though there was a connection between the four rather than 3 session musicians playing for Abi. Abi included her single ‘James’ Corsa’, a song about hunting down her phone in her friend’s car, which she has left on the bus and it was as good live as I had hoped. It more than matches the recording, which can be found on all good streaming platforms.

I am sure many of you reading will agree that Abi Rose Kelly, is a name that you will most definitely see knocking about Warrington and beyond in 2020. The AV Club were the night’s headliners. A really great bunch of lads, who have the attitude of professionals, the set up of Professionals and the ability of professionals. If you didn’t know them, you would think they had been together for years but in reality, they have only been gigging, 6 months. They are a much loved band and they drew in a huge crowd for this one and here’s why they are a band that a lot of people are talking about.

How I feel took off with the crowd singing in their numbers to the chorus, drowning out the vocals. They give you the impression that you know their songs, with their vintage 80s sound and crowd singalongs. Their audience connection is stupendous and their use of synths makes them sound even bigger than the 4 piece band they are. The AV Club are far from your typical chart or indie rock band, they carefully consider the use of instruments, chord patterns, and melodies, turning it into a synth pop sound but not in its conventional way. Despite being catchy, the melodic patterns used take them away from anything I’ve heard before but yet because of the sounds they have chosen, you get some sort of familiarity. Tell me now, was a song I had heard in a recording, (now on their YouTube channel), but I have not felt bass rip roar through me like that at any local gig. Every time you hear The AV Club’s recordings you feel the vibe, but seeing them live is ridiculously different. Every sound pounds deep into your chest making you feel as though you should dance to absorb it or else explode. This plus the energy all 4 of them showcase in their performance, makes the band a hit!

Despite this driving energy throughout the gig, and the fact that it’s my favourite AV Club song, Youthful Illusions’ probed to have more energy than I anticipated. It was something spiritual to attend an AV club gig, and with their professionalism, how tightly they play in time with their backing tracks, the intimacy they displayed in their stripped back number, they never take breaks, the sound, the ability, the expression, and the fact that the fucking bass player stands on top of a tall speaker at a local show, which I have never seen, EVER!! (who the fuck is he?!). I think this band are bound to go far. They know exactly what they want, when they want it and how to get it, and with that knowledge, it would be far from surprising if they were to appear on a line up for any of the big festivals, because they have literally got it all. Please listen to and get out to see this band whenever you can, I promise you they are worth it. So to cap it off, these 3 artists are progressing phenomenally at the moment and I would recommend you watch them all live. They are all humble, and set for big things. I have never seen a bad Softlad gig but this one, the atmosphere, the plethora of local talent in the crowd let alone on stage, the support from the fans of these 3 bands as well as the support for each other made this gig far more memorable than any of the Softlad gigs I’ve had the pleasure to be involved with or attend.

A real great night, keep supporting local music, keep music live! Special mentions to Iain, Mal and the rest of the Softlad crew for nailing this gig down, as well as Lee Harman, (WAM Exposure) and Lindsay Hatton (local glamour extraordinaire) and Iain Fitzsimmons for running an awesome venue.

Check out Lee Egertons blog for his other reviews over at https://leegertonmusic.wordpress.com/blog/