After an interesting journey that involved running through Manchester to catch the train and a 30 minute night time walk through Stoke, we finally reach the Sugarmill ready to see Little Comets. Unfortunately, this meant that I missed Camp Stag. Gallery Circus are the second support act of the night, a band who I immediately think have managed to take a step up from Drenge image-wise. Not only are they brothers in a unique rock duo, but identical twins! Dan and Graeme Ross are full of energy and adrenaline on stage, with Graeme constantly standing up to play drums with his arms high in the air for the most effect (and loudest cymbal crash). Dan’s voice changes from low and gruff to some impressive falsetto to accompany the heavy and murky guitar. There is an intimate energy between these two, whether it’s because they’re twins or because they’re just musically in sync I’m not quite sure. Whatever it is, it makes for a thrilling atmosphere and performance.
The venue is comfortably filled, certainly not sold out (no idea why) with quite a docile crowd. Even when involved with interaction with the bands on stage, there is little acknowledgement of communication. Rob points this out, telling stories about Stoke’s usual rowdy crowds and a rare Little Comets night ending up in A&E – the crowd reception is simply a few chuckles, very odd. Little Comets soon after this play one of their most popular songs ‘Dancing Song’ and there was no more than 6 people doing any movement let alone dancing. I boogie the whole way through, it’s impossible not to with Little Comets’ wonderfully inventive riffs and melodies.
I would argue that Little Comets are probably the most underrated band musically and lyrically out there today. Songs like ‘Violence Out Tonight’ and ‘The Blur, The Line and the Thickest of Onions’ that cover serious social issues in our world today through intelligent metaphor and with superior style are simply breath-taking, and even more so performed live. Lyrically these songs are thought-provoking but also incredibly moving – “in which the poor conviction rate for rape can often a woman feeling more at blame than able”. Issues such as the objectification of women and certainly rape are still not discussed properly in this day and age and I respect Little Comets so much for focussing and highlighting these matters in their music.
Despite some minor technical and sound issues Little Comets play better than most bands I’ve ever seen live. Transition from song to song is perfect as ‘Tense and Empty’ goes into ‘One Night In October’ and ‘Bridge Burn’ becomes ‘W-O-E’. The guitar melodies are impressively precise and intricate, which is what makes Little Comets’ songs so joyful and fun to dance to. Rob Coles sings beautifully and with such passion that transfers to everyone in the room, even when drinking some kind of lemsip concoction or “a glass of Mickey’s piss” as Rob mockingly calls it.
The best thing about Little Comets is their appreciation and dedication to their audience and the fans of their music. Rob talks honestly about his upset in cancelling some dates last week due to illness, truly heart-rending but adorable. When leaving the venue tonight everyone receives a hand written postcard “Thank you for coming, we very much appreciate it” signed by the band. I appreciate them more than I can say.
Elli Brazzill
@littlelionelli
Elli Brazzill
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