The Heights, Look See Proof, The Runners, Culture .

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 7th October 2006.

Today was not a good day to be Welsh! A proud nation, the national football team had in the afternoon been demolished 5-1 by lowly Slovakia while Esquires headliners, Welsh indie rockers THE HEIGHTS experienced their own problems. Apparently finding the venue was a task very nearly beyond them as they arrive just minutes before their scheduled start! Then as they perform their opening song, their Sumer single Jamaican Beer Eyes (a tribute to Red Stripe perhaps?), disaster strikes! Drummer Geraint encounters a major technical problem with his bass drum. I felt that the five minute interruption did not benefit either the Heights or the crowd who steadily filtered through the exit door throughout their set.
The band are currently on tour to promote their Bad News EP of which 'Night Relay' and 'Bad News' are performed back to back.
Although portrayed in the music press as hard livin' party animals, I felt their performance was rather tame and tedious, coming off the back of their previous night's NME gig in London. Perhaps, it was a case of a bad day at the office for the Heights, much like their national football team. They did kindly present me with their set list, which was as follows;
• Jamaican Beer Eyes, • Night Relay, • Bad News, • Breaklights, • London • Morning Rush, • Junior, • Other New, • For Real, • Sweet Isabelle.

Providing support tonight were firstly THE RUNNERS, whose brand of catchy indie rock tunes contain a treasure chest of delicious melodic harmonies. The hoodie wearing vocalist inspires and drives the rest of this four piece band to make a pleasing debut of which 'Familiar Faces' and 'She's Not Impressed' are fine stand out tunes. What was that you said? No Serge, please don't shoot The Runners!

Luton's THE CULTURE are a band I have eagerly anticipated seeing, having heard so many good reports about them. Tonight I witness for myself just why they have built that reputation.
Predominantly a rocking ska-mod outfit, their frontman Sean Keegan, is very much Paul Weller circa 1979. Formed only last January, they ooze confidence and have a portfolio of foot tapping tunes, notably the protest rants of 'Kids and Thieves' and the lilting ska overtones of 'Skag-Ska' and 'Cabby'. There's a touch of retro Baggy thrown in at various stages. Altogether an enjoyable package.

One of Esquires most welcome and popular visitors during 2006 has been The Newtones. Now re-christened during the summer as LOOK SEE PROOF, although I'm not keen on the new name, the music is as magical as ever. With their growing fan club moshing relentlessly, this was a great show by a talented young band. It's breezy pop-rock all delivered with purpose and poise. Their angular front man is a shock of nervous energy and with their first single released next week on Tigertrap Records, the future is bright for Look See Proof.