BUZZARD BUZZARD BUZZARD
Corn Exchange, Newport - 21st November 2024
Support: Nookee, Papa Jupe's T.C.
This was our first visit to Newport's Corn Exchange since it had opened in March, with the headliners being a band who'd released one of the best albums of the year. It was, in fact, an all-Cardiff line-up starting with Papa Jupe's T.C., an entertaining bunch with some good tunes and lots of energy. New to me, but I will be keeping an eye on them.
Next up was one of the most unique bands I've ever seen. How to describe Nookee? Well how about Earth Wind And Fire fronted by twin sisters? I mean, that's fairly close, but man, this lot were amazing. To be honest, it's not really my kind of music, nor MrsRobster's, but they really were something to watch, we couldn't take our eyes off them for the entire set. I may even have felt my feet move a little as well.
As for the Buzzards - well two-and-a-bit albums in and they've gone from all-out 70s glam rock stylings to the louder end of the rock spectrum. Their latest album 'Skinwalker' is altogether heavier and darker than what came before it. Vocalist Tom Rees has cut his hair and written a load of songs about coming back from a breakdown, folklore horror and his dog Norma chewing on your bones.
While the set threw in a real mix of songs from the band's catalogue, it was the newer material that worked best for me, but then I've always preferred rock's darker side. Highlights were undoubtedly Therapy, Chew and the brilliant In My Egg - about retreating inside oneself when feeling unable to deal with life's shit. But early classic Double Denim Hop also deserves a mention as the place nearly exploded during that.
A fine way for us to break our new venue virginity, and proof (not that any is needed) that Wales has an extraordinary, thriving music scene. And it's so great that Newport has a new venue like The Corn Exchange that can hold a couple-hundred more people than the other established venues in town.
No comments:
Post a Comment