Viva! La Mojo's! II!
Everyone is here. Today's line-up: Jemma Des, Symmetrical Dogs, Jade Rich, Lachy John & The Red Bellies, Siobhan Cotchin, Abbe May, Shorehaven, Gap Year.
I mcT'd Jemma Des. Not happy, I only missed one out of 15 bands over the two days, but I had wanted to see them all.
Symmetrical Dogs were the first band I saw. Have a single pic of them from an earlier gig. Lead vox - she screams! 😁. Refreshing take on how to do music. They look to be a family band, 2 brothers (acoustic and drums) and sister on vox though I could be making that up. Accomplished enough to have an interesting story ready during tuning. Gonna have to see these guys properly.
I first thought Jade Rich's music might be in the same vein as Dani Enli. Georga Raath is a better comparison except the cynicism isn't quite as hard. Breezy set, light pop but some lyrics have bite. Had a guitarist onside, but the music was mainly hers through the keyboard/PC. On bandcamp and tells the punters to get on board! 👍 Very listenable, lighter than I'm normally into, but the positive outlook on most material is refreshing. Would see again. (Ed: yep 🤣)
Lachy John and the Red Bellies (my phone did not want to type that last word) were next. I was close to being blown away. Guitar solos, didj, jamming, and they're animated on stage. Also, Lachy wears a hat! 😁 Will see again.
Short break for a mental note. See what you wrote about Lachy John? That's not the impression you've been carrying around in your head since the gig. Gotta, gotta, gotta take notes on the night. Get that stuck in your head.
I'm redefining Siobhan Cotchin's music from 'country rock' to 'rock tinged with subtle country accompaniments'. It's too fast, too hard, and too 'rocky' to be anything but rock. Also, I like it. Will see again.
Abbe May was up next. Might be a ring-in, will have to check original line up. She's ... different. Plays blues guitar like it should be played, and talks about recreational pasttimes one probably shouldn't talk about in this day and age. The songs are personal and cause reminiscences mid-song which promote stories about them - also mid-song. But then the guitar kicks back in and it's all about that (for me at least 🤣). Would see again - there's good stories in the songs, I love the sense of humour, and that's all backed by that guitar - but I think I'd like to see a full set, not just half an hour in a lineup slot.
Went for a burger next door. Thought I'd timed it better, but got served just as Shorehaven kicked off.
Pro tip: those burgers are bloody delicious. Had a QBV burger (Ed: check name). So good. Would do again and again, except would time it better. Mojo's, can you just arrange a chute from their kitchen across the alley to the bar so we can order a beer and burger together?
Shorehaven were sans drummer, so did a quasi-acoustic set. I bet they've never played to so few people. Must have been all of 10 punters on the dance floor area Missed a bunch of the set but heard it from outside. Insert obligatory 'should do Afternoon Delight' comment here. On bandcamp, but not all of their stuff 😔. Will see again.
Gap Year closed out the night. 5 piece with keys, two guitars and chick on bass. Rock to dance to. Happy to jam at the drop of a hat, worked through some bass technical difficulties, just did a really good job. Don't know 'em. Want to. Will see again
It was late and there were a couple people winding down in the courtyard, maybe writing up some notes, maybe catching up with other old (younger than me, but) rockers from back in the day. (Tfw when your 'back in the day' is earlier than other people's 'back in their day'). All of a sudden - to the tune of baby shark no less - one hears the lyrics 'please get the fuck out of my pub' - all very good natured - over the PA. It had been a loooong weekend. But it had been a bloody good one.
Thank you Mojo's - it was brilliant! 🤘