Keegan Dewitt played Black Kids-ish indie rock, with a dash of Band of Horses. Five people on stage, though didn't sound that many, Last song headed for funky, but seemed to stall a bit and didn't quite take off.
Lead singer and backing singers voices went well together. They didn't have any drums, but assume they do normally as seemed a bit as if it was a stripped-down line-up. Toe-tapping, but not irrestitably so.
Trampled by Turtles were very country and bluegrassy, a bit Bluebells, even down to banjo inclusion.
Jeremy Messersmith was excellent. He was accompanied by a string trio, which was nice in an age where otherwise strings might come from a laptop, but as band was mic-ed and strings weren't, it was a bit of a struggle to hear them. We snapped the strings tuning and warming up before he started:
He had a really good opening tune, which made me think of a US BMX Bandits or Teenage Fanclub or a rockier Belle and Sebastian, and of Plain White Ts, or maybe even Elton's 'Your Song'
Another opened with the riff from Monkees' 'Last Train to Clarksville' and much of the set was enjoyably Monkees-esque with great 60s harmonies.
Several people asked us during the set if we knew who the band were, which seems a pretty good sign.
Excellent, really uplifting show. Creating that great sense of wonder that the people in front of you are, all on their own, creating the sound you're hearing.
Lost in the Trees had a very Arcade Fire - esque opening, as well as lots of instrumental sections with violin and tuba/euphonium. The vocals a bit Damien Rice at times. Some bits were searing and majestic, others a bit more pedestrian. The last two or three songs were a cut above the rest and the band rocked out on the last one.
Matthew and the Atlas had nice harmonies, with Vocals quite Mumford and Sons, also reminded us of Villagers. They were very rural Americana and the backing seemed to work with songs and support them, rather than whelming them of being over-stylised or posturing. It worked well enough throughout, although didn't vary that much. The singer's voice sounded very familiar, although I couldn't quite place who it sounded like - a bit of a not-quite-as-baritone Eddie Vedder or Ray Lamontagne. I was genuinely surprised to hear they were English, although I'm not sure they sang with particularly American accents.
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