PURE LOVE
with The Vestals.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 23rd February 2013.

PURE LOVE swept into Bedford tonight. Post-gig, Esquires legend Pete Burridge surveyed the scene and reflected on what he had just seen. His description of "good natured chaos" was spot on. A written review hardly does full justice to such an eventful evening. In the main stage room there is a polite notice pinned to the wall which reads as follows: Please note: moshing and crowd surfing is not recommended. It is done at your own risk. Try telling that to Pure Love, namely Frank Carter and Jim Carroll. The latter seems to spend half of the set laying on a bed of arms that precariously keep him afloat, all the while playing guitar at such ridiculous angles and positions. From the start it had the feel of a special night and I can sense a tingling atmosphere. The sell out crowd were certainly not to be disappointed.
It is just before ten o'clock when four shadowy figures walk on stage. Naturally the fifth, Mr Frank Carter, makes his own special entrance and gleans all the cheers. It's the last date of the band's seventeen date tour and a party is in the offing. It seems that everyone here is curious to see just what 'Carter the unstoppable stagediving machine's' new band is like. "What's going on in Bedford?" he shouts out at the start, before advising us that "anyone that wants to get stuck in come to the front"! Inflatables have become something of the norm at Pure Love gigs. Cambridge apparently had a killer whale, well Esquires has a dalek! Early on there are echoes of Frank's last gig here when he was in Gallows as one of the crowd throws a beer directly at him (last time it was in a plastic container). He shames the offender and thankfully retracts his initial threat of throwing some fresh urine back at the idiot. This is a night when you need eyes in the back and the side of your head. I'm watching Jimmy stage dive for what seems to be the umpteenth time and miss the dashing Frank sprint from the stage and head straight to the bar top. On arriving he holds court with the masses and throws out a few thankyous, namely bar staff, sound engineer Emily, plus a diminutive, but always cheerful, security guy. As Frank makes his way to another vantage point he urges the crowd to "make some noise". He needn't worry as they need no encouragement. On remembering the very skinny Mr Carter when he first played here back in 2005, the years have treated him well. The ginger hair is slightly longer, but the heavily tattooed one does concede that "I used to be a feather now I'm a leadweight"! Reflecting on that he crowdsurfs back to the stage, safe on his followers arms.
As thanks to us all "Bury My Bones" is "dedicated to Bedford". Pure Love cover all bases, it is bluesy punk and indie rock, no hardcore with this band. They are on a high as their debut album "Anthems" has had favourable reviews. Frank appears to be a more settled soul than when he was last here back in 2010. He takes great delight as he orchestrates "the roughest crowdsurf ever" prior to "Burning Love". His shout out of "let someone else ride the dalek" so makes me laugh! Sometimes, even from my relatively safe vantage point at the back of the room, it is difficult to tell just who or what is flying up in the air, people or inflatables? After a distinctive and raw cover of "Teenage Kicks", Frank unleashes his ultimate piece de resistance. Most of us Esquires 'seen it all befores' are gobsmacked by what we next witness. Frank asks for the main house lights to be switched on. Firstly it is so everyone present can be photographed. Then the drummer pitches his kit in the middle of the room. A sight in itself, but Pure Love demand a frenzied circle pit around him. About thirty people run dementedly around the drums. Frank pauses and reflects, that went to plan but next everyone is asked to piggyback the friend that they came to the gig with. Such a sight to behold. The evening of mayhem closes with a sausage roll fight. Frank smiles and sums it up as only he can, "It's been f**king stupid"! Tonight has been one of the craziest gigs here that I can remember for a long time.

First band supporting tonight are THE VESTALS, a five piece from South Wales. For those early arrivals that watched this band, they specifically asked to play in low light. They are practically lost in the dark but seem happy with the limited exposure. They are a very upbeat indie band who remind me quite strongly of something that The Smiths would have done. However, I do like to see the musicians on show and the 'arty' darkness didn't really work for me. A strange decision by The Vestals. TURBOGEIST feature Jimmy, a tall vocalist who is from the loins of a very famous rock star. They are a five piece from "somewhere on the south coast". They describe themselves as punk and it is very rough hewn and raw in a New York Dolls sort of vein. The band get a good crowd reaction. They themselves kindly describe Bedford as "awesome". I particularly enjoyed "Slaughterhouse". A good stage presence that sometimes does come across as a tad contrived. Nevertheless, it was thirty minutes of fun. Satisfaction is guaranteed!