Sphere, with support from Sideburn and Delicate Children.

Esquires Level II, Charity gig, Bedford Saturday 28th June, 2003

There were a few line up changes before the final three bands were settled, in which Sphere had the slick skill, Delicate Children had the originality, and Sideburn… well they had the middle slot. There was quite a low turn out, I don’t know if it was because of the clash with Glastonbury, - maybe next year Esq. could create the atmosphere by putting on the water sprinklers and having loads of mud in the mosh pit? There was certainly a subdued atmosphere.

The first band DELICATE CHILDREN looked the part and had quite a different and individual style, especially in the singing, which was pretty good, also using up the stage space well and climbing on the amps in places.
I have to say I quite liked this band and got used to it more as it went on, mainly due I think because the songs didn’t all sound the same. So not bad for a band in it’s early stages, although the drumming was a bit lame in places, but this was only their first appearance at the venue and they appeared to have bought quite a bit of support with them – (promoters take note!)
I would like to urge the band to stick with it and keep going coz I’m sure in time they will pick up a larger following.

I’m afraid SIDEBURN just didn’t do it for me. I just didn’t like the style. Nothing against the members of the band… just didn’t like the type of music they were playing – which wasn’t their fault. It just didn’t seem rehearsed, or as polished as the other bands. In fact, one of the songs just collapsed in on it’s self and was abandoned but hey that’s the ‘live experience’ for ya! The keyboard player looked totally lost on stage also.
One of the things I did appreciate however was the bands ability to interact with the crowd and it was good to see a bit of banter going on there. Also the set was kept fresh with the change of singer and other band members swapping their instruments with each other. Their covers worked quite well, but there were a far too many of them including also a tribute to Postman Pat; rrrrright!!.
I also heard some of the people in the crowd shouting their disapproval. There back in a few weeks also! I hope they give their act a bit more practice, but I’ll probably give it a miss!

Not even the helpful bar staff blowing bubbles from the fan could get any crowd atmosphere, but SPHERE burst on to the scene with their great Led Zeppelin cover of ‘Rock n Roll’ which they used to great effect during the battle of the bands entry.
They had the best drummer on the night who looked as if he seemed to be enjoying what he was doing. They produced a great sound – tight, well rehearsed… and there’s only three of them; and they produce a sound so polished that if you were to put your finger on it – it would leave a greasy mark! Later they done another good cover ‘Lake Of Fire' by the Meat Puppets, their version being a more rock'd up accoustic number.
Some of their songs seemed a bit slow in parts and just needed a bit of up-tempo to get the subdued crowd atmosphere going, although Sphere are a band with the ability to diversify between fast heavy melodic riffs, straight forward RnR and also some laid back blues in to the blend.
Before the set ended, at about 11.00 there seemed to be a mass exodus of people leaving the building before the set had finished and for those remaining, there was a chance to obtain the C.D. of their recent live set in which they supported the Rage Tribute – and pretty good it is too!
Whether Sphere are supporting, or worthy headliners, you can bet they will put every effort in to demonstrating their potential.

* The Charity gig for an African Orphanage raised just over £150.
Review by Keith Pickering www.bedfordmetal.tk.