Whilst COVID has rained down a fair share of suffering to many people’s careers, one section of society most notably affected has been musicians. The past two years they’ve faced scrutiny from the top dogs in Parliament, with some (fools) claiming that entertainment occupations are less than a ‘proper’ job. Musicians and those in the entertainment world have been looked down upon whilst they extended their arms in need of support, and they have been, on many occasions, denied any support from the government. Thankfully, the tides have begun to turn, with gigs and shows all back up and running (in familiar frantically brilliant fashion). Normality at last.
One band more affected than many others has been The Night Café of Liverpool.
BC (That’s Before Covid, if you’re unsure…) they were forced into the decision to postpone a forthcoming UK tour. Thankfully, any personal issues within the band were resolved and the group were able to reschedule their planned dates for 2020. The year to be forgotten, as some might call it. Obviously, the virus prevented the Scouse, indie rockers from performing to audiences up and down the country. Rotten luck, that. This is a bit of a tangent I’m running off on here, but the point to be taken is that the group have had it tough, and it was evident to members of the indie-rock community that, when this tour was eventually to happen, it would be heavy.
After the couple of years from hell, it was nothing short of incredible to see bands like The Night Café back on the road, doing what they do best: getting swarms of people dancing, selling the grooviest pieces of merch and just, generally, helping people escape from the monotony of day-to-day life.
The band arrived in Bristol having already belted out full sets to crowds in: Sheffield, Leeds, Southampton, and London. It was the west country’s turn to feel the force of the group.
Mighty support acts in the form of The Let Go and Oscar Lang warmed up TNC’s crowd nicely, with the latter insinuating the first of a plethora of mosh pits that would ensue as the night progressed. Overall, the event was the ultimate embodiment of what an indie gig should be: mosh pits, great tunes and memories with your mates.
The main event came around at around Half 9. The Night Café marched out onto the stage in Bristol wearing smiles, a sight which is always a pleasure for fans. Carl (Drums), Arran (Bass), Josh (Lead Guitar) and Sean (Lead vocals and Guitar) took their places for the next hour and blew away the Southern crowd.
The North vs South divide is one of the most quintessential things when it comes to Britain, but amongst the crowd of Night Café faithful, this concept was nothing more than a myth. From the first tune (Finders Keepers) the band had their crowd right where they wanted them. Every word to each song was screamed back at the band in the tightly packed venue. Among the most notable songs of the evening were: Felicity, The Way of Mary, Addicted and Mixed Signals. But make no mistake, each of the songs in the hour that the band transcended the crowd ‘kicked off’ good and proper.
The friendship and close-knit nature of the group showed throughout the gig: the tightness of the songs was impeccable, and the lads made the crowd erupt with laughter as Sean stated (between songs) that someone in the audience’s “weed smelt lovely.” A joke, I’m sure…
Nonetheless, The Night Café rocked up in the south of England and took it by storm. Their relentless touring is clearly paying dividends and it’s surely only a matter of time before the band hit astronomical heights. If you’ve not heard their debut LP ‘0151’, then do it. The record is a seamless indie classic with an incredible flowing feel between tracks. The same feel was achieved in their set in Bristol, with a vast variety of moods displayed. From the slow and thought provoking number ‘I know (I’m sure)’ to the captivating classic ‘Mixed Signals,’ the band covered all bases.
Strong riffs and bass lines drove the tunes of the night, paired with highly skilled melodies and drum fills, making many spectators curious as to how the band aren’t more well-known (yet.)
Not only was the gig top-notch, but the band themselves should feel burning senses of pride for the entirety of their work so far in terms of what they’ve achieved. I know (I’m sure) that many more people than they realise have been moved, motivated, and even helped by their effortlessly classy songs already.
(The crowd reactions were too good not to include in this little write-up, so here is a link to one of the many extravagant moments of the night: https://twitter.com/mattcn11/status/1492163267397136388?s=20&t=wfG7CRVNYtaIOSMavO1CUQ)
In summary, The Night Café are boss: big, wavy guitar riffs: what more do you want? Get with them now before they blow up and you can’t say that you discovered them anymore.
MC 