10th December 2004, The Barfly, Cardiff.
Despite the well known franchise, a surprisingly compact venue meant an established outfit performed in an intimate setting, but nestled amongst exuberant students, I can’t help feeling it’s a world I’ve left behind, and now I’ve returned I stick out like a sore thumb save for the odd thirtysomething scattered amongst the audience. I’m there to see the Bluetones, who clearly feel duty bound to let us know they’re still around, but Velvetine prove to be a startling, but welcome starter.
Initially sporting the electronica and posturing of a new-wave influenced band riding the coat-tails of the current music industry trend, they thankfully show a touch of personality to rise above the mediocre. The demure, sultry front woman
The Bluetones could run through their hits on autopilot, and there is a slight possibility they did. Around since 1995: there is a certain familiarity to their patter. Of all the hits played, After hours and Autophillia are conspicuous by their absence. Yet in a condensed set, they manage to play their most accessible and therefore best songs. Cut Some Rug, If, Home Fires, Bluetonic, Solomon, Putting out Fires, and Luxembourg tracks Fast Boy, Liquid Lips, and Never Going Nowhere all go down very well (despite the latter going nowhere in the charts, to the bewilderment of anyone with a brain).
Established bands know the routine; the hits, the obligatory audience participation (which comes on If), the faux walk-off, only to reappear minutes later for the expected encore. It’s headline act by numbers, but on a stage that looks more like a sardine tin, they work the stage as well as any of their over-rated peers.
A setting normally reserved for up-and-comers, local Battle of the Bands, and Gonzo tours for the new darlings, the Bluetones’ humbling is to their credit. They deserve better.
Craig Aston.
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