It’s a week and a bit before Christmas, and there’s festive cheer all around in Warrington town, and none more-so than in Osale Rooms, which is holding one of its infamous (well, to those that remember it as the old WA1) nights, Plastic Palace. There’s DJ’s working the first floor, but it’s upstairs in to the dark, somewhat cosy-feeling attic of the place, that some of Warrington’s bands are out in force tonight. Could they bring the festive cheer to even the most bah-humbug of the Warrington masses?
First up is Selfish Lovers, a female-fronted pop band with a lot of snap behind the pop. Front-woman Amy Bielizna claims to have a throat infection and asks us to bare with her under-performing vocals. Well throughout she needn’t have worried, as her and the rest of the band, especially guitarist Phillip Bond, excel perfectly in their charming set. ‘Knowledge Is The Bomb’ sounds wonderfully anthemic, perfectly driven by a great guitar lead. Another, ‘Summer Song’ may be off season, but it still works here tonight brilliantly. Amy’s vocals sounded great here considering this was towards the end of her band’s set. Well-played. 4/5
Bill Davro were second head-liners and were once again nothing short of amazing. The crowd really came in for these wonderful Warrington favourites, and they really didn’t disappoint. Their cover of ‘All I Want For Christmas’ working a lot better this time round than back in November for the Warrington Winter Music Festival. Class 5/5
Now tonight’s headliners are The Ambersons. I’ve never seen this band before and I’m really looking forward to seeing these after them being so highly recommended. Well it’s a shame to say that they didn’t quite pull off the hype that others had suggested to me. Their music didn’t exactly set the venue alight. It cannot be said though that they are a poor set of musicians. Technically speaking they were right on par. But their brand of mid-tempo indie-pop just didn’t sit well with this reviewer. It seemed to reflect on the crowd as well as they seemed to lose them as their set went on. Not a bad band, just not the right night for them. 2/5
A mixed night then over all then on the live front for Osale Rooms and Plastic Palace but for free entry before 11pm and a fantastic night from the Hawt Mess DJ’s after the gig, one really can’t complain about the night. A thoroughly enjoyable night, roll on next time with a new roster of bands.
Mike Glover 2011 (@Like_Mike10)
And for our featured video, a live acoustic version of ‘Orbit’ by Selfish Lovers
Written by Mike Glover for Prince Baron Records
