Reviewed on 15th August 2012.

The Covelles

Live at The Library on Friday, 3rd August 2012

One thing you won't find at 360 Club is bland pop, like the girls singing about whether you should "call her maybe"! Neither will you find some dude, telling how he's gonna "make you scream", or any of that other sad excuse for music, auto-tuned within an inch of its life! But what you will find is a great mix of bands, from all different musical directions and a relaxed atmosphere. This week I found this lot...

First up, and a difficult slot to fill, are Crowds. Playing to a growing audience, the local trio is definitely loud! They open up with 'Cut Me Out', this is infectious, alternative rock, which closes with some rather class marching drums. They rattle out a few numbers and don't have any interaction with the audience until near the end. Introducing their penultimate song as 'Loosing Grip', a tune with a softer pop edge, but without the shit I talked of earlier. Then to the last in their set, a new and as yet untitled track which has a nice bluesy sound until the chorus kicks in, and then it really rocks. If you like Tribes... you'll love these boys. Fantastic start! I can't believe this is their debut show! I look forward to hearing more music from Crowds.

I am rather excited to see The Scandal, the funky three piece from Leeds, after hearing their EP release. From the off, they do not disappoint! 'Limbo' offers a taste of proper funk and they slip easily into a bluesy style for the 'Wrong Side of the Door'. It is such a pleasure to watch a confident band, comfortable on stage and who clearly believe in their music. The boys have a great connection and the room comes alive with the energy that emanates from the stage. Manni's face is a joy to watch and I can't help smiling, as he is clearly lost in his zone, thrashing around, Grohl style, on the drums. George's powerful raspy vocal is at its best in 'Karolina', which has definitely 'got flavour' and features outstandingly delicious bass lines from Conor. Confusion, the last track from The Scandal, ends with a little impromptu style of 'jamming'... Just Brilliant! It leaves you with a taste of wanting more. I am absolutely blown away and would suggest the gathering crowd are too, judging by the applause! Bingley Music Live: you are in for a treat!

I have heard a little about Crooked Tongues and just never managed to catch them live. They are a very, very young looking band. The singer displays classic Brit-pop attitude but there is a hint of nervousness and self-consciousness. It is a slow and uninspiring start, taking until the third song before they really hit their stride and display a more cohesive sound. 'I'll Keep On Waiting' is a good track, they have potential, but tonight, I think they are not altogether in the zone. Half of the confidence is in the bluff, so don't tell us you are struggling, you are in a room full of judges when you put yourself on a stage and a larger stage won't be as forgiving! I wanted to like Crooked Tongues, having heard a lot about them (and I like their recordings), but I didn't feel they brought it tonight. We all have off days and I feel this was one of theirs.

To close the evening's entertainment, The Covelles take to the stage. As a unit, they are definitely a non-conformist band with individual style and a good stage presence. Opening with a kind of softer folk-rock, The Covelles launch into their set, which transcends in to immense indie-rock style guitar riffs and infectious vocal hooks. Musically, they are somewhere between the musical talent of The Strokes, blended with the distinct vocal of Luke Denvers, who has a hint of Kooks about him. But you can't help being drawn to the drummer, Blair Murray, who has some awesome style going on. He totally captivates the room, with skills that outweigh his style! So much so, they were halfway into the set before I realised that the lead singer is unusually on bass. A great set and even a few microphone mishaps did not knock them off their stride. The Covelles definitely brought The Library back to life.