 
Joy Formidable at Birmingham HMV Institute
13/10/11 with support from Creatures Of Love and
And So I Watch You From Afar
Tonight is a last minute gig, I was asked to do
it a day or two before but only found out at 5
on the night that I had the gig for definite,
so I grabbed my camera and headed out for a night
of Indie beats. I get to the venue, get inside
and start getting my kit ready only to find moments
before the first band comes on stage that my card
has corrupted and that I can’t take any
photo’s, I tried my best to fix it but nothing
happens, so I begrudgingly take my place in the
crowd and get ready to enjoy the evening.
Creatures Of Love are first up, this atmospheric
indie band are really interesting. They’re
sound is different to most as they build up and
tear down there beats all over the place. They
are really hard to pigeon hole as they come at
you from every angle. The sound is really impressive,
great vocals over big beats and synth but I think
it would sound allot better with a bigger stage,
but unfortunately I can’t see them being
everyone’s cup of tea and will probably
not be a huge band, but if you’re looking
for something different, something that will make
great background music in a film then this is
the band for you. They play a decent set taking
you on a journey through sound; it’s a different
start from the normal gig openers but a good one.
And So I Watch From Afar are the main support
tonight, a punk rock band from Belfast. They’re
not punk rock in a Ramones style they’re
punk rock in the way they’re a mash up of
different styles, they’re fast drum beats
and screechy guitars scream punk, but the song
progression is more prog rock. The tightness of
the act is immense, this band no how to play and
know how to put on a show, getting the crowd hyped
up into a frenzy ready for the main event. It
kind of seems odd that they’re on this tour
but it makes for a night of eclectic noise that
is really great, and makes a refreshing change
from just seeing one genre at a gig. They’re
sound is great but the lack of vocals at times
makes it really frustrating as the tune is great
but you just want a catchy bit you can sing along
to instead of just bopping along to the sounds.
The crowd is now pumped and ready for…
The Joy Formidable are a 3 piece indie band from
Wales, I know Indie is a lame way to describe
them but I really think it’s the best way,
they do delve into different styles like rock
and mellow but they are at the end of the day
a great indie band, which they should be proud
off. They take to the stage in great style to
one of their better known songs, A Heavy Abacus,
which instantly grabs everyone’s attention
with the thrashing intro and plodding verses.
They hauntingly beautiful vocals stand out miles
and the sound is great, the bass is powerful and
intentionally distorted, the guitar fuzzes through
and makes the songs sound great. Halfway through
the set the drummers pedal disconnected but this
didn’t stop them, they continued on and
had a laugh with the crowd keeping the night ticking
on. They’re stage set up had a few touches
with the odd bit of lighting and mic decorations.
They play for an hour with plenty of heavy hitting
songs that please everyone in attendance. They
end there set with the stylistically booming song
Whirring that wraps the evening up nicely, the
song builds and builds till it explodes with raw
emotion.
Overall I had a great night; with 3 differently
styled bands under one roof all giving something
unique and interesting back to this enthused crowd.
Things would have been better if I could have
taken photo’s but I guess that’s the
way things go, I hope to see and take photos of
these bands in the future as they all made a great
first impression on me.
Joy Formidable 4/5
And So I Watch From Afar 4/5
Creatures Of Love 3.5/5
Review By James Daly
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