ICEBREAKER FESTIVAL – SOUTHSEA, 28th January 2017

As the ice starts to melt following another successful day along Albert Road/Elm Grove, it gives us a moment to reflect on the early start to festival season.

There was a good turn-out for Kill ‘em Dead Cowboy at the Deco. The first band of the day acting as though the festival was already in full swing. The metallers were on top form, and on top of everything else too for that matter. With frontman and both guitarists climbing on everything and anything, they were clearly having as much fun as we were watching and listening.

Kill ’em Dead Cowboy

Staying at Deco and Deference continued the heavier side of proceedings. Only you couldn’t help but wish they kept up the momentum of the openers. When they were heavy, it was really heavy and pretty damn good, just all too often would stray too far into emo territory for my tastes.

In contrast to a busy Deco, upstairs at the Loft Marmalade Moonshine were a few songs into their set before people started arriving.  While clearly influenced by the likes of Oasis and the Stone Roses, they did however do the Manchester scene justice and as the crowd picked up, so did the band.

I then caught the end of Lewis Smith at the Wine Vaults. Not my sort of thing, but hats off to the young lad, he’s got a strong voice and he’s great at what he does. Just, what he does is way too Radio 1 and Britain’s Got Talent. Lewis admits he used to be a solo pop act, but even with a full band behind him, there’s no denying he certainly still sounds the part.

I also got to see the tail end of Nomura play an acoustic set downstairs at Al Burrito, complete with cello and a cover of Royal Blood’s “Little Monsters”. Still running a little ahead of schedule another pit-stop and a couple of tracks by DerDieDas at the Wine Vaults. There was something unconventional but intriguing about the duo, think “Where’s my Jumper” by the Sultans of Ping.

Next it was a packed out Little Johnny Russell’s, where Minque soon became one of the day’s highlights. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dani Uziel since her entertaining acoustic singer-songwriter days at open mics, but this was my first chance to catch the new synth-laden project live. There are touches of Massive Attack and Portishead, but it’s as if Dani has truly found where her voice belongs.

Minque

Another familiar face was to follow, guitarist and singer Chris Perrin was destined to be Portsmouth’s next big thing at the turn of the century, with his old band Thirst. His latest group Fainites continue a love of 90’s grunge in a similar vain. They may be a relatively new outfit, but Chris sounds as good as ever, once again surrounding himself with strong musicians and good tunes.

With the Royal Albert pub being a new addition to the festival, it became a perfect stop off en route to the Wedgewood Rooms. As such it was a sneaky peak at Southsea’s Cadet, before seeing a band from out of town at the largest venue of the day.

Tijuana Bibles were to be the only ones not from the south coast, having made the trip down from Glasgow. It was however soon obvious why the Icebreaker team had booked them. They’re dark and moody, the Black Keys mixed with Jesus and Mary Chain, Interpol meets Prolapse. They look the part too and well deserved the exposure of the big stage.

Tijuana Bibles

The same couldn’t be said for Echoic next door in the Edge of the Wedge, so with a quick food break it was back in time for Submariner. One of their amps may have chosen the worst time to pack in, but a quick swap over and we were up and running. Submariner may be fairly standard radio-friendly indie-rock, with a bit of a shoegaze feel, but there are times when that’s just good enough.

The Icebreaker organisers lead a pretty tight ship, from my experience everything starting pretty much on time. Although when it came to Offbeat Offensive overrunning at the Loft, no-one seemed to mind. The ska band had the whole room dancing, with regular pub goers below probably left to fear the ceiling was going to cave in on them.

Another party band next and the thigh slapping country of Dirty Diesel Outlaw Orchestra. These guys were awesome. Mixing the rockabilly of the Stray Cats with a bit of Little Feat and Lynyrd Skynyrd and a love of all things hillbilly, definitely well worth a punt based on name alone. Dirty bluesy, swamp music, with harmonica that sounded like the devil himself.

Dirty Diesel Outlaw Orchestra

It was then back to where the day started and I’m guessing quite a few people didn’t worry about leaving the Deco. Core of iO were on hand to keep things heavy, with technical metal which at times gets the band in a bit of trouble. Frontman Bob Tett apologising for openly being a diva when it came to getting his levels right.  The guitars were sometimes a little drowned out, but ultimately Core of iO kick ass and was great to see them live again.

The lighting upstairs at Al Burrito was proving too much of a hindrance too and was soon turned off for local punks Misgivings. So, with the stage lit up only by mobile phones, it suited the DIY vibe occurring in the tiny venue. Drummer Rob is normally known as bit of a workhorse, but even under the weather he was still pretty mean behind the kit.

As we were on the home straight it was time for Zegema Beach at the Wedgewood Rooms. Collectively they may not take to the stage very often these days, but are always a great addition to any line-up. The dub-reggae getting your feet moving, while the summer vibes made you forget the cold January weather outside.

Zegema Beach

With time for one last band, I joined the queues for the Royal Albert and sure enough Shoot the Duke were proving a popular choice. Although between the layout of the pub and a packed crowd already in place, it was difficult to see what was occurring.  The acoustic folk/blues of Shoot the Duke were pumped up and full of energy….and there I was preparing for a relaxed end to the day!

DJ’s provided the after party back at the Wedge, but for Mr Teeth after 12 hours on my feet, a cup of tea and my sofa was much needed. After all, with next years’ Icebreaker Festival already confirmed as a two-day affair, I may need some time to recover.

Much love to all involved.

Icebreaker Festival – 2017