The Sheffield Scenester

This was the night I was looking forward to for weeks....nothing but nothing was going to stop me from enjoying the acts on offer tonight.

On entering the upstairs of the 02 academy, it was like walking into a school disco. Everyone who had arrived to see the first band Violet, were stood around the walls not daring to venture past the carpeted area. Even as we walked in, we headed straight away for the walls...because that’s where everyone else was stood! There was just one solitary figure stood in front of the stage. This is not to say the crowd didn’t offer their support in other ways, the applause was very healthy after each track played. I have to say, Paul Nixon’s voice was absolutely faultless and blended well with the obvious talent of the other band members - which made the set very entertaining and listenable. I did wonder however, if the band could have encouraged the crowd forward to avoid that awkward gap between the stage and crowd.

Driftrun is one of my ultimate favourite local bands and they were the next on stage, so I strode past the imaginary barrier (if you know what I mean!!!)...and placed myself in the best place to listen and view the band. I was glad to see more people at the stage side, and the once half full room now became packed. It was Gillys birthday bash - so the crowd was full of people he knew, which made a friendly atmosphere. They kicked off with ‘Marching with the Enemy’ which instantly captivated the crowd. Chris (guitar) orchestrated the crowd to sing the cheesy ‘Happy Birthday’ song to Gilly - who looked quite embarrassed with the gesture! The set was quite an unusual one; a different arrangement of songs– they played more than the much loved classics they’re well known for. When it was time for my favourite track ‘Mellor road’, Gilly realised he’d forgotten his tambourine...and I have to say it was missed (not only with the overall sound but by Gilly himself, he was shaking and clapping his hand as though he was holding an invisible one!) The best track of the night was ‘Preoccupied’, the amazing array of sound and drums was just brilliant – I’ve been humming and drumming my fingers to that all weekend! As always with Driftrun I could have listened to them all night, but the mesmerising set had to come to end with ‘Early Warning’ finishing the set off in style.

Ruberlaris was the next band on....I’d read about them...heard them on the Indie hour and Raw Talent...but never seen them play live. Their excellent entrance song (Madness ‘One Step Beyond’) really made the crowd go loopy. The crowd had changed into more of a bouncing middle aged man kind of crowd – who obviously enjoy the Ruberlaris sound. Even though one of the guitarists was having issues with his guitar, the opening track was so fascinating to see and hear the beginning of the blending of various styles...Ska (obviously)...indie...pop...etc. Their sound and stage presence to me is a blend of Madness/the Specials/The Pogues all rolled into one. This band is noticeably a ‘breath of fresh air’; they haven’t learnt their trade by reading the ‘AtoZ of how to do indie’. Ruberlaris are a band who obviously enjoys playing live and they have such a strong following, I imagine all their gigs are pretty much all like this. The crowd’s chant of “Ruberlaris” is catchy too, which I couldn’t help but join in with, especially as its sang to the tune of ‘Papa’s got a brand new pig bag’....immense! My favourite track was 'Monday Morning Blues’ the sax on that was just brilliant and that’s when I decided I wanted their EP...which as if they had just read my mind...they started throwing it into the crowd. Ruberlaris are now firmly on my ‘local favourite bands not to miss’ list. A definite must see again band.

Words/Photos By Gail & Geoff Buckthorpe