The Orwells LIVE @ The Fleece, Bristol 21.11.14

Known for the raucous live performance The Orwells have built up quite a reputation. With stylish riot like crowd and on stage drug infused melt downs, they have created an anticipating audience with highest of expectation as they storm into one of Bristol’s heritage venues, which recently has be threatened with closure, The Fleece.

Filling the support slots for the night was Brighton quartet Golding and ‘long hair don’t care’ grunge rockers Kid Wave. After hearing nothing but positive things prior to their support slots both Golding and Kid Wave were extremely underwhelming to say the least. Golding’s best song of their set being their cover of Bowie classic ‘Heroes’ however the band had great stage presence. Kid Wave fall under the branch of sound like ‘every other indie band’ around at the moment. Despite various calls and attempts from the bands the audience (minus the group of drunk girls at the front) failed to react and seem to have absolutely no interest in either band what so ever from the off.

There was something in the air; you could tell everyone felt like something big was about to happen. The lights dimmed in the smoke filled room, the music went off and everyone charged up against the stage. The Orwells frontman Mario Cuomo walks on staring into the middle of space and seemingly into the eyes of every member in the audience. The Orwells played through their back catalogue with style. Showing his softer side Cuomo called Bristol a “beautiful city” as someone shouts, “play a fucking song” and sent the crowd into frenzy. The highlight of the set was 2014 single ‘The Righteous One’ at the end of the song Mario Cuomo then climbed one of the poles holding the ceiling up at The Fleece only to be pulled down into the rabid crowd.

With stage divers after only a few songs it felt like a 90’s grunge or 80s punk gig. The Orwells then played their rendition of The Foundations ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ which was chanted back word for word by ever single set of eyes in the room. This was followed by more heckles from the rabid crowd. A possessed Mario Cuomo then decided a microphone was too conventional and sang into a beer bottle for a song in protest, a statement soaked up by the crowd.

The Orwells tour manager working as a policeman ran them off stage and through the crowd refusing to let them play any more song and put an end to the riot. After a while the audience then dispersed minus those members who’s clothes ended up hanging from the ceiling.

I, like many, people I spoke to on the night were sceptical about the hype behind The Orwells however, it’s safe to say The Orwells lived up to all the hype they received and in my opinion are clearly one of the best live bands on the planet right now.

Harry Beaton

@darliasays

Harry Beaton

Harry Beaton

Avid music and media enthusiast based in Bristol studying Music Performance.