The things we do for live music.
I noticed there were two great shows in Reading featuring a few of our RaW Sounds.Today faves on the same night.
We wanted to cover one of them but how to decide which, and then an idea – go to both.
Three bands at Jamma Music’s Loddon Festival Takeover Show at the Purple Turtle and four not too far away at Split the Dealer’s headlining show at Sub 89, all on Friday, May 13.
First up was Yaoki at Sub89. What an energetic and powerful opening act.
They grabbed the stage from the beginning and it was their first-ever gig. Definitely an act to watch out for and wonderful to see a big crowd already in the venue.
After a few songs from Rila’s Edge, who kept the energy going with their vibrant indie sound, it was a brisk walk to The Purple Turtle to catch Third Lung front person and Loddfest organiser, Tom Farrelly, performing an acoustic solo set.
With just voice and keyboard or guitar, it really highlighted what a talent this man is. Next up was Bex Ruth and after savouring some of her cool chilled electro pop it was back into an even more crowded Sub89 where The Mezz had taken the stage.
What an electric atmosphere and what a band with great stage presence from front person Ben Comley.
One of the highlights of the evening.
Back to The Purple Turtle for a bit more of the wonderful, Bex Ruth, and then Sub89 again for Split the Dealer.
From this performance, he certainly is on his way to becoming a star.
The crowd were jumping up and down and singing along to every song from this talented charismatic vocalist and his great band of musicians.
It’s just so wonderful to see a local musician who has bravely booked the Sub89 to put on his own headlining show with three other local bands go down so well to such a large enthusiastic audience.
The Sub89 is quite a big space and not easy to fill but Split the Dealer aka Sam Brett did it and he did it in style.
So was the night over? No, another swift walk back to The Purple Turtle and on stage is The Wave Machine and a wonderful audience singalong.
The Wave Machine, aka Angus Trott, blew us away last year on the second stage at Wokingham Festival, so much so that he will be on the main stage this year and you can see why. Infectious feel good melodies that make you smile and, well, we just couldn’t resist joining the singalong too.
What a perfect end to a perfect evening of live music.
All three artists that played at The Purple Turtle will be at Loddfest in September (Tom with Third Lung) and The Wave Machine, Third Lung and Split the Dealer will be at Wokingham Festival in August.
Follow our RaW Sounds.Today playlist every week at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday to hear the best of the local music scene and read all about the artists included in this very newspaper.
CHRIS HILLMAN
Pictures: ANDREW MERRITT
