The Sheffield Scenester

I must admit I was looking forward to this gig, especially after recently interviewing The Cartels...I was curious about their new line-up and sound. Even though some people have already seen and heard the new Cartels (because a couple of weeks ago they did their debut gig in Barnsley) and have said how different they sound...I wanted to see and hear them for myself....and with the promise of brilliant support bands and the legendary Frizhodg DJ set, it was already looking like a one hell of a night....you’d think it was a Friday or a Saturday with this line up!

First band up was Searching 4 Evidence... and yes we’ve reviewed them numerous times before here at Sheffield Scenester....Well why not?... they are good! As they kick off with ‘Walk of Shame’ their young groupies cheered and screamed as the boys did their thing. Kierran Bond seemed to be supporting a new hair cut...which encouraged some banter from the crowd....but yet again this young band (who have got most of the city muttering) showcased their unique sound and professionalism with their usual flair. You could see in the crowd as always their family and close friends dancing and singing away...but that’s not all...this band have sculptured their own fan base and have people of all ages singing and dancing along to their songs too. I suppose if I were to nitpick I’d say...Lewis did sound a little rougher today...maybe he’s recently had a sore throat...but other than that....spot on. Their multi layered track ‘Time’ yet again gained the loudest applause of their set and got the crowd into a dancing mood. Tonight I also picked up more of the Ska influence on their ‘Silly Little Girl’ track which made for great listening...especially when you hear the crowd chanting the lyrics back to the band. Another good moment of the set was when some of the parents of the band seemed to get together to do a ‘mosh pit’ kind of dance directly in front of the stage...this gave the Boardwalk a friendly and jovial atmosphere some venues never seem to accomplish.

Next up was the Arkham Karvers who again are not strangers to The Sheffield Scenester; their stage set up was slightly unusual because Dave Gash didn’t have his trademark mega phone...although the crowd didn’t appear to miss it as they cheered to the sound of the racy guitars as they kicked off with their name sake song ‘Arkham’, it was obvious the lads had brought in quite a following. I was glad the set included my favourite track ‘Alaska’ with its strong vocal beginning which then develops into a relaxing yet dancy beat (an obvious characteristic of their Ska/Reggae genre they include into their music). It was also good to hear their new track ‘Circles’....which in fact was literally one day and twenty minutes old! This is obviously a work in progress...but so far the catchy singable lyrics are a winner with their followers....Even I was singing along within seconds! This song is obviously going to be another winner! The crowd continued to sing along to ‘Diamonds’ with its melodic beginning and again appeared to be settled with this young talented band...I think the crowd would have been quite happy with another few songs, but unfortunately it was now time for their final track of the set ‘Leeches & Fingernails’. This track definitely had a different sound in places considering there was no mega phone....but the crowd still enjoyed every minute and showed their gratitude by giving loud applause and cheers. Another good set by this young amazing band.

It was now time for Dazed Dakotas who kicked off to a smaller crowd...a lot of the younger crowd seemed to leave after the Arkham Karvers...but that didn’t stop the band opening their set with the dancy yet rockin ‘Enemy of the State’. Initially this band reminded me of INXS, especially the vocalist Rosie (Lee Rose) who had a very Michael Hutchence appeal about him...and a decent torso! It has to be said the antics of Rosie was very energetic, which made the audience think he was either amazing or arrogant....but whatever you thought of Rosie...the overall music spoke volumes with its engaging Rock n Roll style of romp with a hint of Indie and Pop. Their second track ‘Idolise me’ had a brilliant racy guitar start with a pounding beat. Rosie noticed the dwindling crowd and said in a tongue in cheek way “What a notoriously good crowd!” However the music did seem to encourage some of the crowd back....and Rosie to constantly stand on stage with his arms in the air as he sang “idolise me”. Rosie had quite a good sense of humour too as he told everyone that their CD was available for a tenner....in fact he said they were free...with a tenner inside it! During their next track ‘20:20’ it was obvious how much skill this band has...especially with Cowie and Gall on guitars, their timing with each other is just amazing. Even though I think I’d need to see this band again to fully appreciate the differences between the tracks....I was quite taken with the overall showmanship and set ...in fact at times the band reminded me of Dead Delta! Their closing track ‘Jam My Mind’ was an excellent finale to their set and the crowd (which by now had doubled) cheered and applauded generously.

Now it was time for one of the most anticipated come back gigs for a while....The Cartels...even as they entered the stage the difference was noticeable. The Verves ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ played around The Boardwalk as the lads entered the stage with a look as though they had something to prove...especially Scoff...it was as if he was limbering up for a marathon. Initially their sound was notably different...although it still had that similar ‘je ne sais quoi’....as the band kicked off with their first track ‘True Love Spreads’, Scoff had obviously introduced a more of a gritty sound to the vocals which I suppose reminded me a little bit of Joe Cocker, and as the approving nods swept across the crowd you could see this was going to be an ‘eye opening’ set’. Also with a lot more added Soul to their set, you could sense the workmanship that must have gone into their new material. Their second track ‘Live n Learn’ began with an excellent solid drum beat and a skilful guitar accompaniment by both DT and Scoff (on his acoustic). Scoff also illustrated versatility in his vocal range by projecting a softer vocal. I have to say this was a brilliant song with amazing potential to be a crowd pleaser....the lyrics were so singable! I also loved the guitar solo from DT...which I must say looked more relaxed than his previous Cartels performances. Their performance overall was a much grittier affair from the days when DT would front them, if anything there seemed to be an overall Manchurian slant to it, the tracks themselves seemed longer and more epic in structure. Scoff’s vocals are undeniably suited to this style of rhythmic outpouring, but for me it was DT’s skill on the guitar which was the revelation of the night. Having seen him perform his solo set many times I was quite unprepared for this level of six string technical ability as he threw in looping feedback, delicate chord work amidst an all out grinding assault without so much as batting an eyelid! Announcing the final song of the set I was surprised to hear it was ‘Shake, Rattle And Roll’, and truly expected a cover version of the Bill Haley classic but luckily this was an altogether subtle affair. Opening with one of DT’s ringing fret effects, before sliding into a more gentle acoustic rhythm, Scoff gave a genuinely emotional vocal performance while Oliver...who seemed slightly dwarfed by an unusually extensive drum kit (which incidentally the kit itself was buried beneath a set of blue Christmas lights - in fact the whole stage seemed festooned with them in various colours!) beat out an accompanying dramatic beat.

The Cartels without a shadow of doubt didn’t disappoint, in fact, looking across the crowd, I got the impression they had definitely arrived with a fanfare. Put all this together with a night loaded with great support, two of Sheffield’s finest and an import from Grimsby...which I have to say I always find it refreshing bringing in talent from around the country as even with the variety on show in South Yorkshire, there is so much more to discover beyond the county line. Another good night at The Boardwalk!

Words & Photos by Gail & Geoff Buckthorpe