Tuesday 25th March 2008 @ Louisiana, Bristol
Playing Alongside: Suzy Condrad, Smith & The Lasting Days, The Hat

It’s nights like this that the Louisiana was made for; a tiny venue born to host live music and a fantastic policy of putting on the best new talent this city has to offer. It’s impossible to find a band in Bristol that has achieved any sort of success that didn’t get an early leg-up by the Louisiana.

Tonight’s bands getting heaved skywards begin with the beautiful Suzy Condrad. It’s an early start for Suzy and her two accomplices, but they manage to seduce the few that are watching with their folk pleasantries.

Second on the bill are the hairy foursome Smith & The Lasting Days who make full use of violins and harpsichords to play some excellent surf-rock exciting everyone in the room. What really catches the ear are the tasty rhythms being pumped out by bassist Rich, the beats almost matching the quality of his thick beard. Their energetic set is a great watch and manages to turn an empty Loui into a bouncing Loui!

Not long after we are treated to the biggest name on the bill and the reason why SY is here in the first place; local funk/folkers Clumsy. Normally this band are made up of their staple three performers but tonight the stage is positively swelling with an ensemble of musical talent as Clumsy are joined by keyboards, bass and an entire brass section! Brilliant! With seven now onstage it really gives the music depth and proves a dense and talented foundation for the three main men to shine. Clumsy are old hats at this game now having played across Bristol’s circuit so often now and they are so comfortable onstage. The ensuing 40 minutes are a fiesta of soul, funk, folk and jazz that combined with a real sense of fun, get every in the room buzzing. It’s a bongo party in the Louisiana!

Last up are The Hat who again pack out the stage for some fantastic funk beats that get the now packed room into some proper skank boogieing. As a top hat is passed around frivolously onstage, you notice everybody playing doesn’t look much older than 15, but the band seem matured beyond their years and they gel superbly together to provide some excellent natural Madness-esk funk. Impressive stuff!

www.myspace.com/clumsyspace

Matt Whittle
Photos: Seb Loyn - www.slimages.co.uk