Review Sleeper – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
For many Sleeper at the Wedgewood Rooms was a nostalgic look back at the 90’s, in an evening clearly defined by the age of its audience. Personally, I wasn’t massively into the indie-scene at the time, but having turned 18 during 1995 I was still very much part of the Brit-pop era. Alongside Sleeper, bands such as Blur, Elastica, Pulp and Oasis were played at the local clubs on a weekly basis.
This was also at a time when reality shows were merely a vague concept, with MTV predominately still a music channel. As such, it was hard to escape the Brit-pop movement, eventually growing fond of all those skinny fit t-shirts that would flock to the dancefloor.
Sleeper had already tried and tested the Portsmouth audience earlier in the year. Having played one of the main stages at Victorious Festival, a weekend that often pulls heavily from the nighties. As for tonight, it was their own show and one that had already sold out in advance.
All Photos by Geoff Cousins
As the lights dimmed the theme tune to American sit-com “Cheers” came over the PA. It took the ageing audience back to a happy place, one where everybody knew your name. Then as Sleeper arrived it was a set filled with UK top 40 hits.
Even without listening to the band much in recent years, “What do I do now?” helped those old memories come flooding back. Things soon went a little more retro with a cover of Blondie’s “Atomic” as featured on the soundtrack to the cult-film Trainspotting.
As for the encore, the night ended predictably with “Sale of the Century” and you could tell everyone seemed pretty happy. While I can’t imagine Sleeper attracting many new fans along to their tour, if Portsmouth’s anything to go by, they probably don’t really need to. After all, just to recall Sleeper at the Wedgewood Rooms was a sold-out show. So, even if it’s another 20 years, going on this evening they’d probably manage it all over again.
Review Sleeper – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
