Lily Bud And The Big Smoke + Velvet Starlings + The Bipolar + 14 Carat Grapefruit

Lily Bud And The Big Smoke –  Soulful, bare, heartfelt, BIG voiced soul siren with something of a LDN Janis Joplin feel. “Lily Bud “Spits fire at austerity, poverty and injustice in an astoundingly beautiful and powerful voice” a protest singer raised in the streets of London is bringing and unforgettable message back to the City that raised her.” Indeed, there’s a political honesty and fire here that would send Dermot O’Leary and the X Factor goons running for the hills. And her band The Big Smoke know exactly how to compliment that voice with subtlety and steel. Velvet Starlings –Rather tasty American  3 piece who embrace blues based 60’s Rock N Roll with some lovely trashy organ, a bit of young Eric Burdon in the lead vocal and Mamas and Papas vocal/songsmith elements. They match it all up with contemporary indie touches ( a lot of Jack White and a bit of Arctic Monkeys), impressive songs, and a great 1967 vintage look. Some do say Jake Bugg , the Artics and Jack White rolled into one! Supported by Acura, Honda, Orange amps and Roland / Boss UK. Also, their new video has artwork from Shepard Fairey (the U.S Banksy) and the band are primed to to play Woodstock 50… The Bipolar – dark and cerebral indie from La Belgique, melancholic yet uplifting in equal measure,  New Order with nice hints of The Rapture, good stuff. 14 Carat Grapefruit – Exponents of comedic punk and twisted rock n roll with emphasis on the fun via some brutal satire. Re reformed for your pleasure (on stage 7.45).