Mainstage - The Urban Voodoo Machine, Long John Laundry, The Broadway Twisters. Danny's Bar - The Filthy Visuals.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 and 1. Friday 11th October 2013.

Gracing the Esquires main stage for the first time in their colourful and illustrious ten year career are the wonderfully named THE URBAN VOODOO MACHINE . The relatively small stage struggles to contain this large collection of musicians. How many are there? From my vantage point at the back of the room I counted nine but it could have been more! They are introduced individually later on, but I was answering a call of nature at the time! Instruments range from various guitars, brass and percussion. Formed in 2003, they are fronted by the irrepressible Paul-Ronney Angel, a vocalist with both a creative mind (he is the band's principle song writer) and a distinctive vocal range. He brings their unique songs totally to life. The gentlemen are all stylishly attired in matching red shirts, while tenor sax and vocalist Lucifire adds the female ingredient and contrast. Their influences are wide and varied. The sound of New Orleans is obvious, elements of gypsy swing, mariachi blues, rock 'n' roll and even hints of trash garage. Mr Angel calls it simply "Bourbon soaked gypsy blues bop 'n' stroll".

They are not treating Esquires lightly, even though they have played high profile festivals (Glastonbury and Bulldog Bash to name just two) both here and abroad. Paul is impressed. "Cheers everybody, good to be here" he says with such genuine feeling. "High jeopardy thing" gets an early airing. It's a song close to the band's heart. This 2011 single was performed live on the BBC Radio 4 show Loose Ends. A good sized crowd are immediately warming to The Urban Voodoo Machine. It's a killer sound all the way through and the fun element is never too far away. Visually they are stunning. Not surprisingly they are well connected to the artistic burlesque scene. The unique sound of the banjo spices up "Two ships", while the organic flavour of the keyboard warmly introduces "Off to rehab". My favourite moment from these self-appointed 'shadowy ne'er do wells' has to be the fantastic "Orphan's lament". This bluesy number is such a spellbinding show stopper. All in all it has been first class music, stunning presentation and of course Paul-Ronney Angel's cheeky quips, including a tale about some special Norwegian moonshine that this gentleman concocted recently! After a hefty fourteen song set the band disappear off stage, rather appropriately to "Goodnight to another". Deserved and rapturous applause breaks out. Thankfully the crowd's desperate shouts for more are answered in the affirmative. The encore finds Paul quietly perform alone, almost contemplating the lyrics of "down by the river drinking Special Brew". Gradually the rest of The UVM collective join him for this fiddle led finale. It's been 'Rare Gumbo' indeed.

Opening the show are THE BROADWAY TWISTERS . Tonight is somewhat of a warm up show for tomorrow's official lauch party at Paper Dress Vintage for "The psampler", a four track, eleven minute EP encompassing their new 'hydroponic incendiary beat-poetic trashabilly'. This is a taster to their hotly anticipated debut album arriving sometime early next year. This retro quiffed rockabilly trio, complete with a stunning upright bass, are much more of a tasty proposition armed with their own salty songs, which come thick and fast. Vocalist Adrian confidently seems at home as he loudly sings "keep your eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel". Covers still play a part of the set such as "I'm a-coming home" (a Johnny Horton cover from 1957) and "High school hop", but it is with the Silver Brazillians inspired "Any dope can pull a gun" that The Broadway Twisters really excel. The crowd loved it.

Oh dear. What an utter disappointment LONG JOHN LAUNDRY were tonight. Last time they were here I was really impressed, they blew me away, but tonight I cannot disagree with a like minded friend who exasperatedly called the set "a tiresome load of old toss"! With new album "Wild evil" released a few months ago, this is a band who should be firing on all cylinders. For me, they just spluttered with their scuzzy pub rock countryfied fare. The seven piece are armed with a keyboardist and a saxophonist in military attire. They also have a female vocalist who, unfortunately, does not enhance things. The pace is slow, almost a parody garage blues band and the 'humour' also falls flat. Later on a tambourine arrives. Sadly the tunes don't. Again - disappointing.

Leaving LJL early is a bonus as I managed to sneak downstairs to Danny's Bar (well also an over enthusiastic DJ was deafening everybody during the changeovers upstairs). It's great to see the much awaited return of one of my favourite young local bands, namely FILTHY VISUALS . Of course much change has occurred within the band during the past few months, but this now five piece were warmly received by a large and enthusiastic Friday night crowd. Their heavier sound really suits them. An earthy "Hardball" opens with frontwoman Stef inquisitively asking "You say you wanna do it?". "Cupid stunt" and "Crybaby" follow so dynamically with no time to draw breath. The only pause is for a filthy introduction to new drummer Zac. A few young ladies shriek with agreement when the band describe their recent acquisition as "gorgeous"! Echoes of "Disposable teens" drive on the intro to "Pressure". Although I was unable to witness the whole set, I later gathered that the 'stage dive' that Stef successfully negotiated was well received! Great to see these talented and enthusiastic individuals making great music again. Welcome back.