Back on it the night after saying farewell to a beloved shoegaze/ dreampop combo in Mew, but this time out to see a band with a broadly similar sonic template, who might just be around on my “Dance Card” for a few years yet…! Logan and I had crossed swords with Norfolk’s Suds just the once before, their impressive set supporting Spanish Love Songs in Southampton in 2024 (gig 1,312) prompting comparisons with early 90’s faves Madder Rose with their blend of pastoral slow-burn ethereal stuff and more frantic, harder-edged pacey numbers, underlined on debut album “The Great Undergrowth”. Last years’ sophomore effort “Tell Me About Your Day Again” was however a more cohesive effort, a more defined shimmery dreampop sound overlaid with some well-constructed and brain-hugging tuneage, thrusting it comfortably into my Top Ten albums of 2025, and prompting me to book for the Bristol stop on their headlining tour.
I couldn’t persuade Logan to join me, however, so it was a solo trip down the M4, parking up opposite and heading in just as openers Hamburger were taking to the tiny upstairs room stage. Their set veered between quiet, slow burn introspection and more upbeat, C86 influenced jangle pop, the band’s set neatly alternating between these 2 styles! I particularly liked “Punk Rock Star”, an early faster number, and their final number, a breezy Razorcuts-esque indie gallop with ringing choral guitar licks and a “woah-oh” hook delivered in the vocalist’s distinctive falsetto. A work in progress, sure, but a pleasantly promising start.
Took
a break outside and had a chat with Suds’ imposing but friendly bass man Harry
Mitchell, prompted by my overhearing that the band were staying in Swindon
tonight! Back upstairs for 8.30, as main support Soot Sprite were kicking into
their driving, upbeat 90’s post-grunge-tinged opener “Surprise Guilty Party”, vocalist
Elise Cook already giving it full beans with a strident and powerful vocal. “All
My Friends”, next up, ploughed a similar furrow, albeit in a more morose,
brooding manner, and so far the set was developing nicely into a power-chord
driven 90’s homage. However, “Doomed” stripped back the noise, revealing a splendid
yearning and melancholy choon with a soaring chorus, the subsequent “Wield Your
Hope Like A Weapon” continuing this mood, again powered by a slightly atonal yet punchy vocal from
Elise. A new guitar band with more than one string to their bow, then, Soot
Sprite impressed with both their varied sonic template but also, and more
importantly, with some hooky choral tuneage. I’m all about the tunes, me…
Took a step forward from my house right spot, pitching up front and centre (and prompting Soot Sprite bassist Sean Mariner to comment during our later conversation, “I saw you [do that] and thought, this guy’s going to have a good time tonight…!”) for Suds’ arrival at 9.20 in front of a full room. “We’re Suds,” announced diminutive vocalist Mae Carter, “this is our favourite city to play in!”, powering into breathless, driving opener “Paint My Body”. “Until I’m Fine”, a more angular, hazy and pastoral number touching on dreampop, followed, with bassist Harry, already working up a sweat for his art (good man!) subsequently admitting he’d nicked his stage towel from his house, so was glad his mum wasn’t here tonight!
Veering
between their various styles with effortless ease, Suds tonight delivered a
splendid and captivating set where you didn’t really know what to expect next,
a neat trick for a young band only on their 2nd album. “Made You Grow”’s
undulating riff underpinned a dual harmony-powered pacey blast; drummer Jack
Ames stepped forward for a lovely hushed duet with Mae for “Holding On”; “Heavy
In The Air” was a breathless blast recalling Madder Rose’s “Live Forever”; and
after 5th member Pedro was introduced later in the set, “The Great
Undergrowth” was a melodic strumalong rocker.
However, closer “Terrible Thing” was the highlight of the set for me; their “Killing Moon” or “Car Song”, its’ stately and relentless march built to a widescreen octave-straddling brain-hugger of a choral outro. A great way to end a splendid set from a band destined to become a fixture on my Dance Card. A quick (and aforementioned) chat with Soot Sprite drummer Sean saw him write me out a list (chap!), then I chatted briefly with the Suds folk, collecting scribbles on their list in the process. On my way home shortly thereafter, challenging Harry to a race back to Swindon in the process! Back about 11.30. So, fears during the day that tonight’s gig might be a case of “After The Lord Mayor’s Show”, following last night’s stellar Mew gig, were well and truly allayed. A couple of excellent performances from Soot Sprite and the very fine Suds!
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