Fronted by Paul Weller’s piano player Andy Crofts, the Moons descended upon Teesside to a sell out Georgian Theatre. A huge name amongst the ‘mod’ community The Moons was always going to be a gig that would attract a huge audience, hardly a shock when Paul Weller and Bradley Wiggins are amongst high profile fans of the band. Bradley Wiggins, described by Ben Gordelier as a “top geezer” is a high profile fan of the band who said “the album (Fables of History) became the soundtrack of my final week of the Tour de France.” Praise indeed.

Strangely though for a band of the Moons calibre they are currently on tour playing smaller venues. When questioned on this Crofts responded “they’re off the beaten track shows; these ones are to get us warmed up and try new material out. We’ll play the major cities on the album tour.” He then proceeded to joke how “it doesn’t matter if people don’t turn up because we’re just practising.”

Crofts carries on to explain that his hometown of Northampton doesn’t have any live music venues that are worth classing as established venues. Drummer Ben Gordelier chips in “it’s mostly pubs where you stick a band on in the corner, but it’s not a proper gig.” Northampton’s Soundhaus was one of the more notable venues in the town before being closed down; however the Roadmender is still going strong. Gordelier continues to slate the Northampton music scene by saying “they (smaller bands) don’t matter, there’s no money put into it.” Luckily in the north east Grass Route Music promote both local and nationwide bands, both new and old, established and rookies. Grass Route Music in association with ATC Live was in charge of the gig and they didn’t fail to deliver a fantastic night.

Local lads The Glass Moths were first on the bill. Fresh from supporting TOY at Newcastle’s Cluny they were full of confidence and got the Stockton crowd in the right mood for the main act. Another Teesside artist Alistair Sheerin supplied the next support for the evening. Rated very highly by Tom Clarke (the Enemy) and Miles Kane, Sheerin was playing alongside newly formed backing band The Vaneers performing newly produced material.

It has taken a while for Sheerin to establish himself but it has been worth the wait. With supporting Miles Kane and Temples already on Sheerin’s CV supporting The Moons was a welcome addition on Sheerin’s résumé.

As earlier explained, a practise is just what the Moons needed with their new album is out on July 26^th and by playing in intimate venues such as the Georgian Theatre they can plug the new sound to an audience that may never have had the pleasure of seeing the Moons live. Selling new single ‘Heart and Soul’ on a limited edition seven inch pressing it was a perfect way to promote it by offering it to gig-goers earlier than the official 31^st March release date.

With the first two albums being highly acclaimed it will be difficult to follow suit with new album ‘Mindwaves’ (released 21^st July on CD, vinyl and download), however Crofts says that they will be diverting to a new sound for the album rather than playing it safe. “It’s a tough of glam, bit of space pop and some horror” he describes the album as “gothic harpsichords” can be heard on new material within the sound check. It will certainly be interesting to see where this new direction will take the Moons on their musical journey.

When questioned on what they thought of the praise from such big names in the ‘mod’ a community they are thought very highly within Crofts said “Paul’s (Weller) like our mate, he doesn’t champion any members of his band who has their own thing.” When talking about playing alongside Weller on his forthcoming forest tour this summer he jokes “he (Paul Weller) has thirty years on us, that’s where we’ll be bigger than him in thirty years time.” It is clear to see why the Moons can have this sense of confidence about themselves with two brilliant albums, a new single ready to be released and the new album looming ever so closely. And all of that topped off with a blinding set at the Georgian Theater.