YEAR REVIEW,
2012.

A look at 2013 at Esquires Bedford by Martin Stapleton.

I feel that 2013 will go down as one of the best years for live music here at Esquires. It offered something for fans of every musical genre with all three rooms of the venue fully utilised. As I track down some of the highlights, I wonder how many you were at and if you remember them....

January As is the case for most live music outlets, January is very quiet. Everyone is recovering from the excess of December's festivities. Lack of disposable cash can also be a problem sometimes. There are few shows here, but the highlight is a Bedford Alternative Music punk night on 25th. It is dominated by bands from Luton such as Hazard and The Kindred. An acoustic bar evening on 11th gains from the silky skills of Leon Bratt.

February Now the live action really hots up as Missing Andy arrive on 1st for the first of two visits this year. This popular Essex five piece sell out both times and bring many travelling fans. Also packing out the venue are Tribes on 2nd. This Camden quartet showcase songs from their forthcoming new album "Wish to scream". Unfortunately sales were disappointing and the band split up later in the year! The next touring band of note, are Pure Love on 23rd. where we once again caught up with Frank Carter (ex-Gallows). Together with ex-Hope Of Conspiracy guitarist Jim Carroll, the mayhem level was raised considerably. Frank jumps, crowd surfs and vaults around the room. Jim stagedives endlessly and the drummer sets up in the middle of the room as the crowd are encouraged to run around him. This, together with the many inflatables flying round the room make for a memorable occasion. Also on the bill are Turbogeist who feature Jimmy Jagger, son of Mick. Other main stage headliners are The Beautiful Sleazy on 9th and the female fronted Without Reason on 22nd. Smaller shows to catch the eye are London based metallers Skreamer on 15th and the ever popular Gold Skies Ahead on 16th. Inanimus Theory headline a BAM show on the last day of the month.

March The top show this month is a nostalgia driven Pad Presents gig with Space on 15th. This is a return visit after a gap of many years. Given the huge turnout, they still seem to be as popular as in their 90's Britpop heyday. The room erupts to hits such as "Neighbourhood" and "Female of the species". Easter is busy here, firstly with Wolf People (who have local connections) on 28th. They are on the main stage showcasing material from the soon to be released second album "Fain". Once again it is released on elite USA record label Jagjaguwar. On the same night, BAM pack out Holy Moly's with their now traditional Maundy Thursday show which brings Lupo to the fore. They were to play some high profile gigs as the year progressed. Friday 29th was Good of you were a fan of The Rifles. These mod revivalists return with an intimate acoustic duo appearance. Other headliners on the main stage are local indie street oiks The Jebs on 1st, Neuronspoiler on 2nd for a special birthday gig and Shefield's Dead Sons on 8th. Ska fans are catered for with the skanking sounds of King Hammond And The Spirit Of 69 on 9th. A couple of cracking bar gigs feature old friends. Now based in Bristol, Poor Old Dogs bring the celtic spirit and give us a really top pre-St Patricks Day evening shindig on 16th. Perennial Esquires visitors Bowfinger showcased their EP "Ten pence on the return" on 23rd.

April From The Pad Presents to Later With Jools Holland, Esquires main stage to the BBC TV studios in the space of a few weeks. This is what happened to Drenge on 11th. The Northern brothers Rory and Eoin Loveless showcased songs from the forthcoming album, including debut single "Bloodsports". Such a great night. Bedford's urban rock 'n' rollers The Wholls have consistently brightened up my working Thursday mornings throughout the year with their entertaining In2Beats radio show. They only made one appearance here this year on a normally quiet Tuesday evening on 16th. Needless to say, the room was packed for a band that made it onto the pages of Loaded magazine. 'Skindie' trio The Scruff notched quite a few high profile slots in the year and headlined for the first time on 14th. Oozing sleaze, with leather and shades on 12th is sometime New York Dolls member Steve Conte. This all-American rocker certainly brought the charisma in bucketloads. Rock of a European flavour occured on 26th when Verra Cruz and Fruhstuck played the main stage. This month also saw both Kerrang faves Acoda on 19th and Burial Club on 27th. The latter feature a couple of ex members of Look See Proof. Other worthy gigs of note are the "Useful idiot" EP launch from Filthy Visuals on 4th, plus a crazy bar evening when a few Dilenquents masqueraded as Gherkin King Bastard Childs on 5th! In Remission also impress on 20th.

May This is such a top month for gigs. My favourite occurs on 31st when the psychedelic noise boys of Bo Ningen shake Holy Moly's to the core. From Japan, this quartet are pencil thin with long flowing black hair. They just create aural bliss with their incendiary songs. Offering great support on a memorable night are Ice Sea Dead People. Upstairs on the same night is local bluesman made good Ben Poole.
RDGLDGRN hail from Washington DC and on 16th they treat us to their musical repertoire. They have some influential recording friends (Grohl, Pharrell) and mix hometown beats with indie and hip hop. The evening is made complete with a top set from locals Zedo And The Method. At the third time lucky (due to illness etc), Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls finally made it back to the main stage on 30th. This Wonder Stuff duo mix songs anecdotes and memories to enchant a delighted crowd. Esquires also hosted a wide array of genres this month with oi punk ruling on 18th with The London Diehards, together with Citizen Keyne. Philindotz gave the thriving local hip hop scene a boost on 26th with their debut show. Also on the bill are rappers Gingerbread Men, a Bedford duo who describe themselves as "unorthodox sick and lanky"! Other shows include punky Manchester band Obsessive Compulsive on 11th, the album launch of "Headaches and heartaches" from Speedshot on 2nd and a MMG Hi-Jack Takeover featuring The Wondersmiths amongst a host of others on 4th. Fall Against Fate headline on the main stage on 3rd and London street poet Tim OT travels up on 24th.

June He may be an OAP with a bus pass, but Charlie Harper still keeps the punk flame burning on 1st as he and UK Subs remind the older folks that they are still "Teenage" at heart. A gig that sold out within hours of announcement saw the charismatic Pete Doherty step onto the main stage after a gap of eleven years on 22nd. His intimate acoustic show from The Pad Presents was the musical highlight of 2013 for many. After initial worries that he may not show up (he had cancelled a couple of preceding shows), his appearance on the stage gained the biggest cheer of the year. Tonight with a hat, guitar and cheeky smile he wins the hearts (of the ladies) and the respect (of the gentlemen) from all those that had paid £20 for the privilege. This was a very busy day for Esquires as downstairs was an all day punk and metal festival called Distortion. It was London based Aghast that headlined this loud celebration. Commemorating twenty five years of the Lovely tour, The Primitives with cute vocalist Tracey Tracey, reminded all the forty somethings of the C86 years on 21st. Gaining critical acclaim from all the music press were London's Wolf Alice on 7th. They left Bedford with many more fans after a superb show. Returning here on 14th was Obaro Ejimiwe, of course better known as Ghostpoet. When he was here back in 2011 he had just been nominated for a Mercury award for his debut album "Peanut butter blues and melancholy jam". Tonight, as well as those songs we get to hear some new compositions from current release "Some say I so I say light". Other gigs of mention sees Holy Moly's welcome Discopolis, a Scottish electronica four piece on 28th. The next night Leicester 'erberts The Tennysons brought a coachload of thirsty foxes with them to bring a different slant to the main stage room.

July A much quieter month for gigs here, but there are still some tasty musical morsels to savour. One for sure is the appearance of those irreverent, crazy Dubliners Fight Like Apes on 12th. With Maykay's penetrating howl, this electro-punk collective naturally played with wild abandon. This Clubs Roar and Biscuit show is also noteable for a stunning performance from the wonderfully named Throwing Up. Energetic guitar driven indie rock comes courtesy of Catfish And The Bottlemen on 26th. An eclectic local mix occurs on 20th when ska favourites New Groove Formation are supported by CC Smugglers, a band earning so many plaudits around the country. They are developing into a festival must see. Rock comes with a show by Crippled Black Phoenix on 11th, prior to a European tour. Phil and Ben, the Esquires Mutiny DJ's, celebrated ten years at the decks. To mark this milestone they organised an all day music festival on 6th. It included The Tendons who rushed back to the bar after playing a gig in London's Boston Arms! Acooda returned on 5th, but it's the reappearance of Luton singer Mark Joseph, down in the bar on the same night, that garners considerably more interest. Other worthy mentions could also go to Pirate Radio and The Night Forests Grew on 18th and The Wah Wah Club on the following day.

August There is only one name to say in August. Please give it up for Don Broco. This midweek gig on 21st is a warm up show for their main stage appearances at Reading and Leeds festival. Rob and the boys put on a fabulous show that made everyone sweat on a warm summer's evening. "Priorities" rule - that's official. An enthusiastic and boisterous crowd make it a gig to remember. Described by The Guardian as "more concept than band", Public Service Broadcasting on 10th featured Messrs Willgoose and Wrigglesworth who, with the help of audio and visual clips, gave everyone a musical history lesson that was surreal. Bank Holiday Monday on 26th featured Merchandise who hot foot it from the aforementioned festivals. These American lads are firm favourites with NME and those present could see why. Pearl Handled Revolver's show are always a treat and 17th is no exception. The popular rockers performed tracks from their new album "This mountain waits". To add weight to their meaty credentials, earlier in the year Classic Rock Magazine chose the single "Rattle your bones" for a compilation CD. Another local band with an album to present are The Whybirds on 3rd. It's entitled "A little blood" and is their first as a trio. Out Ot The Inside held a BAM promoted EP launch on 22nd.

September The highlight of the autumn season and an exciting night for Clubs Roar and Biscuit occurs on 17th. It is the debut Bedford appearance of Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess. Long term fans flock to the venue to witness this true all-rounder of the music business. He, together with fellow Charlatan Mark Collins on guitar, enchant the paying public. Tim encompasses his long history, as well as playing a few band hits in a different guise, he performs tracks from recent album "Oh no I love you". It's very much a country tinged evening. As well as the songs, the floppy blond haired one is also adept at telling stories. A show that is best defined as Nashville in a Manchester accent. Hatcham Social lent their considerable support. On 28th, Missing Andy pack out the main stage for the second time this year, courtesy of Juicebox. A Teenage Cancer gig is held on 20th and is headlined by Skies On Fire. Earlier in the month Frantic Alice showed their softer side on 6th. The next evening Without Reason headlined the main stage. The Blue Book Project, a young local band who broke through in the latter part of 2013 played an impressive first gig in the bar on 14th.

October The first weekend of the month (4th and 5th) featured a two day free music festival organised by Dr Clive Travers. His autobiographical book Looking For Prince Charles Dog is the inspiration for shows that include, amongst others, Tim Keegan And The Quiet Lifers and folk punk collective Fishwives Broadside. With second album Victory finally released in this country, it was a pleasure to welcome The Smoking Hearts back on 5th. They absolutely tore up Holy Moly's and is hardcore at it's brutal best. Described by none other than The Washington Post as "mariachi influenced blues, whiskey soaked rags and punkabilly style rave ups", The Urban Voodoo Machine brought their show to Bedford on 11th and what enjoyment they served up. Another all day festival is held on 19th with Oxjam. All three venues are utilised in Esquires and there are many more in the town centre. He last played here on 14th May 2002, but on 18th eighties star Kirk Brandon returned with Spear Of Destiny. The current nationwide tour is a celebration of thirty years of his influential band. From Birmingham, Troumaca offered some Carribbean sun kissed grooves on the damp Autumnal night of 25th. Signed to Gilles Peterson's record label, this was a set that I really enjoyed. Halloween offered the now traditional BAM fancy dress patty gig, this year headlined by the female led Near Moments. With less people and sadly lacking in spooky decorations, Canadian metallers Kobra And The Lotus starred on the main stage for Juicebox.

November This month saw the return of one of the larger than life personalities of the music scene. His name is Eddie Argos and he fronts Art Brut on 7th. A cult figure, he does not disappoint his adoring public. Also on this bill is Keith TOTP who has amongst his motley crew of musicians, none other than Les Carter aka Fruitbat from Carter USM. After supporting the mighty Ash in Bedford Corn Exchange back in July, Dolomite Minor were here on 2nd on a joint headline tour with Lyger. Later on in the month on 22nd, the main stage hosted the memorable appearance of sometime Strokes confidante Har Mar Superstar with his soulful voice. There is also a more than ample proprtion of bare male flesh on display from this small Minneapolis born funkster. Supporting on this bill and also making sizeable waves on the musical radar is hip hop diva Lizzo. The following night sees wacky indie band Young Knives. Their current tour is coinciding with the release of the trio's fourth studio album "Sick octave". This top month for gigs continued with The Pad Presents Dub Pistols on 16th. Their mash up of ska, hip hop and rock is delivered superbly and creates a real party atmosphere. At the helm for the last fifteen years is Barry Ashworth. Other gigs to strike a pleasant chord are the debut EP launch for Yellowknike Bay on 9th, a MMG battle of the bands on 30th and a masterclass of the blues from guitarist David Hick on 21st.

December If it's December it must be a Christmas show! Or not? Either way, there are no baubles or tinsel on display when rockers The Quireboys appear once again on the main stage on 21st. Spike and the gang have had a busy and profitable year with shows aplenty, both here and abroad. This is all centred around the release of their latest album "Beautiful curse". As is the norm, the room is packed and the crowd engage in plenty of singing, dancing and drinking. Naturally The Quireboys produce all the hits and more of course. Fusing elements of metal and grime are Kerrang featured Hacktivist on 8th. They liven up a usually quiet Sunday evening. The previous day sees an evening of oi with a large crowd here to see Condemned 84. Superyob and Skinfull support, while Holland's Discharger added their European slant to satisfy the many who had travelled here via Eurostar. A busy night occurs on 14th when upstairs The Scruff focus on their new EP "We're all broke out here", while in Holy Moly's metal fans are sated with the heavier sounds of bands such as Broken Conscience and Hollow Bodies. After appearing in the bar earlier in the year, The Zipheads finally make it to the mainstage on 28th. Christmas celebrations were also had by Near Moments on 20th plus Gold Skies Ahead and Filthy Visuals on 27th.

So there you have it - Esquires in 2013. Of course The Sunday Sessions on the tea time slot continue to thrive, especially when Cherry Lee Mewis And Her Blues Gems, The Denny McCaffrey Band, Full Circle and Kerry Jo Hodgkins are performing. A keen regular crowd continue to support in large numbers.

My three favourite Esquires gigs of 2013
Pure Love 23/2
Bo Ningen 21/5
Dub Pistols 16/11
My favourite non Esquires gig of 2013
Neil Young And Crazy Horse - Birmingham NEC 11/6
My favourite local album of 2013
This Mountain Waits - Pearl Handled Revolver
My favourite local EP of 2013
We're All Broke Out Here - The Scruff
My favourite local emerging band of 2013
The Blue Book Project.