Hekz, Betaboy, Bowfinger, Spiked, Get Set.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 28th May 2010.

Bedford Esquires is 20 years old! In a world where pubs, clubs and live music venues are closing with an uneasy regularity, the owners and staff should take great credit that they have reached this momentous milestone. As a birthday thank you to the many patrons and customers who have passed through the doors these past two decades, the venue is holding a free three day musical festival on both levels.

Here upstairs, the events are launched by GET SET, a lively young quartet who, to put it simply, are a "phunky phat beats groove machine". Charismatic frontman Fandi is a stage natural. He offers a quite mesmerising presence. Sometimes dancing, sometimes shimmying, he simply has the crowd in the palm of his hand. It's so natural as he cajoles some of the more reticent attendees to move closer and, above all, dance!

SPIKED are a real credit to themselves. Hailing from Hitchin, Sian (guitar, vocals), LJ (guitar) and Lolly (drums), they always relish playing here at Esquires and they can't wait to unleash another soiree of 'sonic manglers'. Although so young, the material written seems to stem from altogether more older, troubled souls. They infuse oodles of dark and exceptionally miffed lyrical imagery. Sian's delivery at times appears quite unhinged. The grungy-punk sound is loud, their gripping blast bombards our eardrums, but in a kind way of course. The loaded question is posed, should girls this young have such an array of experimental experience, expertise and, above all, awareness? With Spiked, of course they should. As well as old favourites such as "Blood on your Girlfriends Dress", the trio bring us three new songs, namely "Good with Dollar", "What a Waste of Tape" and "(PIctures)".

Of all the bands appearing here this weekend, Luton's BOWFINGER certainly deserve the honour. Throughout the venue's existence, this 'mod-Brit pop' inspired collective have been such regular visitors, even dating back to their previous guises such as Sheen and The Brilliant Things. Vocalist Ed wryly calls his band "the token old f***ers!", quickly adding that he has played here "too many times". Their anthem "Everything is Easy" is still, for me, a truly invigorating tonic. A perfect melodic three minute pop song.

BETABOY are quick to state the obvious "Well Bedford Esquires, twnty years on"! This keyboard driven quartet are very eighties electronica inspired, adding some slightly wonky post-punk manoeuvres to mix with their chunky beats. They always shine with their dextrous playing.

HEKZ, wow! Broad swathes of melodic metal are fuelled to a high octane pace, delivered as usual with such a forceful and zestful energy. Such buoyant enthusiasm always exudes from this four piece. Frontman Matt Young is totally charismatic, bellowing his lungs out one minute, feeding us a few witty ad libs the next, before sending his precious vocal cords through the octaval boundaries. Stratospheric falsetto, I think you might say. "As Rome Burns" is a slice of metallic elegance, allied to it's perfect and flawless execution. "Don't Turn Back" is said, perhaps with a touch of irony, to be their "pop song". With descriptions like that, HeKz may well be playing some 'disco metal' in the future!

Downstairs in the bar, day one, is taken care of by THE TENDONS, THE PRESSURETONES, SUNSET RESET and THE LOVE BAND.