A delightful set featuring new tracks and old was showcased by Newport band TOWN as they performed to a small crowd at Clwb Ifor Bach on Thursday. The band’s new material was impressive; retaining the standards set by older songs while at the same time offering something fresh in their sound.
TOWN really turned up the volume when they glided into their single releases from last summer, ‘Teenage Sky’ and ‘Eighteen’. Both songs sounded equally delicious as the four-piece certainly hit the indie sweet spot that most people possess in their genes.
It was surprising to see such a low turnout to a gig at Clwb: people have overlooked what was a very good performance from a very talented band. BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq have both taken notice of the band’s talent by playing their songs on more than one occasion.
Support came from The New Objects, The Lash and Colorama. All three offered something different, but they appeared to be an interesting choice of genre to support the indie-ness of TOWN. Lead singer Alex Nash thought the support was well-thought out by the organisers, Wales Online. “I think it’s great to have Wales Online championing the type of bands that were playing”, he told us. “It shows the side to Welsh music that most people rarely get to see, and that’s really important.”
TOWN though showed the qualities of a band that have been around for a long time. Their songs are cheerful, and their lyrics are simple and easy to sing-along to. They are showing the potential of a band that are on their way to achieve big things. CM
