Last Updated on March 4, 2023
Originally published in Beat Motel issue 2
Usually Wednesdays are boring. It’s a fact, unless you’re old enough to buy alcohol legally. If not it could be another night of crap TV soaps and coursework. Need something to break the monotony?
Enter Er,,,, Presents with the first of hopefully many Wednesday night All Ages Shows. Kicking off the night was Soma. Fairly unknown to me, Soma are a young band but within minutes of their first song it’s easy to see they have the confidence of veteran scenesters. Both original and diverse it’s hard to pinpoint an exact genre on this band as they mix rock, folk and indie with ease. It’s good to see bands like this coming onto the scene and I’m looking forward to seeing them again.
Next up were Peter Cat, a band that wouldn’t look out of place supporting the likes of Franz Ferdinand or The Killers. Not being a fan of indie, I wouldn’t have usually enjoyed this band. With catchy melodies and infectious hooks though, they kept me and the crowd more than entertained throughout their set.
Aflightoremember was up next with his brand of emotional acoustic material. Speaking to Marc beforehand, he said he was nervous and for his first few songs this was clearly the case. Settling down quickly though, the crowd moved in closer to share a well-delivered set. Being a solo act in the middle of four very different bands can’t have been easy but Aflightoremember pulled it off well. With the crowd now calm and chilled, it would have been hard to break the peaceful mood.
Up steps Grogan. With fierce poppunk riffs they rattle through their set with blistering pace and the crowd responded well. With songs like “Gnome Magic” and “End of an Era” Grogan aren’t subtle, that’s not the point. This is band that set out to entertain and have fun and from the crowds reaction they succeed gloriously.
The headlining band of the night was All or None. Following four bands and keeping the audiences attention for one last set surely must have been daunting but All or None breeze it, playing every note with passion and violence in equal measures. With songs of angst and Government conspiracies All or None clearly enjoy what they do, and the crowd do too. Getting heavier with every gig, All or None’s style is uncompromising and that’s refreshing for an Ipswich band. They look set for big things and they deserve it.
- Luke Smith
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