So it’s a three band line-up to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Independent Venue Week at The Windmill in Brixton. For those who haven’t been it’s a very small pub/room situated at the end of a residential street in south Brixton. There’s no hairs or graces but they do so much in supporting small bands getting started in the business. Decent beer and decent sound are always on tap too.
First up is Picture Parlour who rattle through a thirty minute guitar based pop bash with great success. Hints of Arctic Monkeys in the sound and the lead singer does have a really good voice when they sing especially when it loses the slight growl to it. A solid start to the night.
Next up is Maruja. Opening the set with a honking saxophone they deliver a pulsating jazz punk set. It’s a relentless cacophony of noise but for my ear a little grating and it just didn’t work for me. There were some good grooves in there but the sax just dominated the sound. I don’t suppose the band will lose any sleep over me as I am pretty sure that I am not in their demographic but they got a decent reception from the youngsters.
Finally headline act Honeyglaze who I caught the end of supporting Sunflower Bean last year. One of the problems of this small venue is it’s a low stage and flat floor so if you are in the presence of giants your view of the stage is limited to say the least. It doesn’t help that lead singer Anouska Sokolow is tiny. I am sure she was there but verification is needed.
Honeyglaze are a three piece that specialise in dreaming art school folky pop. It’s a lovely set with some real standout songs. It’s a bit noodly in places but when the melodies kick in its beautiful and that voice is such a wonderful delicate instrument. A good new band and when the next album is out they should have a solid basis for a great set of quirky pop songs.
A nice way to end the night for less than seven quid representing very good value.
Keep on independently venue rockin’ y’all