Gigs

I saw Mirrorkicks that night and they were good but their last gig I went to a couple of days ago was amazing!

Their cover of Bleeding Love rocks!

I'm listening out for them on XFM as I reckon they will be a big band coming

I was at the venue for the first time yesterday to see the marvellous Carina Round. I had never heard of the venue before booking my ticket (ticketweb handle the booking for the venue) but it seemed, judging by the walls of well recognisable faces, that many before me had!

The place itself was very easy to find and coming from someone that has no sense of direction whatsoever that is saying something! Out of Kings Cross, grays inn road is clearly signposted and the venue is but a short walk down the road on the left handside. It is worth noting, before I forget, that there is a cashpoint @ a bank handily placed next door to it so no worries about running out of money. I never tried to pay by card so not sure if they accept it so forgive that oversight on my part!

Once you are in the venue you are met with a bar to your left handside. The layout here looks like any other random camden-esque pub out there but walk to the closed off area and you find another room where the magic happens. The space itself is intimate and can accomodate about 150+ comfortably. The sound system was serious and my hears were crying from the moment I stepped into the space.

There is a TV feed in the main pub area so you can see what is happening in the gig area. Not sure if you could just come in for a drink and just watch the gig whilst having a drink…yes, another oversight on my part (makes me feel like phoning up to clarify all these loose ends!)

They have the usual fare on tap and the guinness was nice and cold but drinks were served in those faux glasses, which to me is worse than plastic because it tries so hard to pretend it is not. Yes, I need to get out more…

The toilets (ladies) were adequate. Not the best I have ever seen but most definitely not the worst. There were about 4 cubicles which meant slight queues forming during sounchecks and band changeovers but I guess that is to be expected anywhere.

I enjoyed seeing the pics on the wall of some of the people that have played there in the past and my fave was of Skin of Skunk Anansie fame (wow can’t believe I recalled her name just like that…)

What else…2 lemonades were just over £3 and 2 half pint of guinness came to just over £5. Staff seemed nice and chilled and there was no troubled sorts hanging about. I didn’t notice any security about so I figure it must be a pretty sound place at the best of times.

I would return for sure and with its great location next to mainline public transport, its not an hassle to get home after 11pm.

This venue is where I first heard Jack Savoretti and Cassette. A warm and welcoming pub/theatre that offers the very best in live music.
Missed an opportunity to see Cassette play last week but got my tickets to see Dawn Landes play in August (highly recommended). easy to get to from the North too. Just 2 mins walk from KX. Genius!

Friday night, 3 October 2008
Monto Water Rats Theatre, Kings Cross, London

Venue: The venue is warm and inviting, frequented by a cool crowd covering a wide age-range, who seem relaxed and at home here, allowing you in to their secret hideout without much more than a casual backward glance, as you squeeze past them and make your way to the Sound Stage.
http://www.themonto.com/

I arrived in time to see Mirrorkicks start up. My first reaction was to put my fingers into my ears and soften the deafening sound that I’ve managed to somehow become unaccustomed to in the very short while that has elapsed since seeing my last loud! live band. It didn’t last long – before the 3rd line of the first song, I was starting to enjoy the noise, and realize I was just exactly where I most wanted to be…
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The 2nd act was called In the Annexe. My first thought on them was: Professional. They come off like a band that you feel you should’ve paid a lot more to come see. They are polished, well-presented, slick. Strong, unique-sounding vocals. It’s Britpop with a distinct fusion of electronic sound that has a New Wave feel. They call it Indie-Rock.
http://www.myspace.com/intheannexe

Finishing up it was Slummin Angels, a trio of youths comprised of 2 girls: lead & base guitars also covering lead and back-up vocals, and a shirtless male drummer. The drummer’s wet chest was a distraction – he started sweating almost as soon as they started to play, and just grew in wetness till he looked more like a body-builder ready for a photo-shoot than a serious drummer, but I guess that’s all part of the act. It’s Indie-Rock/Punk. Pleading vocals with that slightly off-key punk sound.
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