Friday 22nd April
Well Good Friday and what a way to start the hols. Frankie & the Heartstrings were playing the newly refurbished Independent. A trip down memory lane going back to their early days. The first band up were The Eyes, a five piece from Sunderland. They had a raw, fast paced 60's sound, and it was obvious that they were influenced by the likes of The Doors, The Who and, more recently, Last Shadow Puppets. However, their first track had a very Shadows-esque guitar sound. Another of their tracks was reminiscent of Oasis' 'The Importance of Being Idle'. Although it was early, there was already a good crowd and the atmosphere was really upbeat. I did enjoy the opening act but, if I had any critisism, it would be that there wasn't much of a connection between band and audience, and the songs weren't clearly introduced. Having said that, I think once the singer gets a little more confidence that issue will be sorted. I would like to go and watch this band again as their style of music really appealed to me.
The next support were The Neat, a four piece group from Hull. These guys are already signed to the Chewing Gum record label, which was started by two members of The Kaiser Chiefs (and their influence was noticable). They launched straight into their first song without any introduction. The singers' voice reminded me a little of John Lydon. These guys had lots of energy from the off. Their second song 'In Youth is Pleasure' is their new single.
The singer had a great stage presence. They went on to play 'New Kids', and 'Doodle', both tracks quirky and punky, then slowed down the pace with their next track, 'Good in Bed'. Finally, they introduced their last song 'Hits' ("available on Itunes" we were duly informed). These guys went down really well with the now noisy crowd.
Finally it was time for the main attraction, local heroes, Frankie & the Heartstrings. The place was heaving for this, the band's homecoming gig, and the audience was studded with Sunderland rock royalty, including the odd Futurehead and Brewis brother (Field Music). They opened with the ever popular 'Possibilities', much to the crowds delight. Their second track, new single, 'That Postcard', saw Frankie doing his now classic, familiar dance moves. The frontman proudly explained that this was their first sell-out gig in their home town. The third song 'Tender' had the crowd going wild and singing along, Frankie holding the microphone out over the gathered faithful. Although I have watched this band several times, it was great to see them on a bigger stage with plenty of room for the singer to move around. During 'I Want You Back', Frankie was totally seducing the crowd. The band played 'Obvious' and then announced the first of the two new tracks they'd be debuting tonight. Always one for a bit of banter, the frontman apologised for his new "bad" haircut, at which point tunesmith and guitarist Michael commented on how important this was to the band, much to everyone's amusement. The next two tracks, 'Photograph' and 'Ungrateful' had the crowd bouncing and clapping along.
Before the second of their new tracks, Frankie thanked Field Music and the Futureheads for being an inspiration. He then made a special dedication to Ben and Paul from Independent for their support over the years. 'Don't Look Surprised' saw him once again playing to the crowd. Standing on a monitor, supporting himself on the low ceiling beams, his shirt buttons having gradually become undone, he looked every inch the modern day swashbuckler! He is a great, natural frontman and every bit the showman. It was then time for a Sunderland sing-a-long, with the crowd "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhing" throughout album title track 'Hunger' and by the final song of the night, 'Fragile', the crowd were going absolutely beserk. The band left the stage, all except drummer, Dave Harper, who decided to dive into the throng for a spot of triumphant crowd surfing. What an amazing finish to a fantastic gig, and I have to say my all time favourite one from Frankie & the Heartstrings.
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