The second 'Hot Music Live Presents' fundraiser for The Tin
Review
As with the previous "Hot Music Live Presents" curated fundraiser for The Tin, words can scarcely do adequate justice to what I witnessed last evening at the second of them, which featured Project Overload, The Upsiders, Loophole & Luminae.
These four great original bands were on sizzling form themselves: the performances were out of the top drawer. Once again, it is worth passing comment on the atmosphere: that contributed a great deal and demonstrated that not only is Coventry & Warwickshire on a high with regards to unique, individual originality, but surrounding these artists is an appreciative community of those appreciating their talents. It's so great to see artists genuinely enjoying the success of others and showing their appreciation.
Last night the synergy between bands & audience was at a level even I've not seen in a long while: adrenaline flowed & the energy and passion of those onstage & off mutually fuelled each other. Although I'm reporting on the above four acts, I must pass a comment on the young local band Inferno who were in the audience & pretty much led it: we've not yet had the opportunity to review them as performers but if they demonstrate the same enthusiasm for their own music as they gave last night for that of others….
The only slight disappointment was that Luminae could not play as long a set as they might: but much credit to singer/guitarist Kaya whose dedication to the gig was such that she defied illness to perform & you could not tell such was the panache and dynamism of their set.
Loophole too go from strength to strength and like the others, develop every time I see them: the power of their music grows all the time & yet the delicacy of detail remains. This super confident group featured a duet between Nancy & Lucas adding another strand to their options. Given the popularity on streaming of their HMLP featured track "Politics Killer" and the effect they stirred in the audience last night, they really ought to get an official release out when possible.
Another delight of these evenings is that rather than reinforcing closed bubble echo chambers wherein bands preach to the converted, each one introduces artists & audiences to new performers. Once again, it seemed that I was the only person present who'd seen all four bands before. Ironically, given that they formed long before the other three, the big revelation for most in the audience were The Upsiders: the other three, all of whom came out of the "Live On Stage" project run by The Tin and Coventry Music, had tended to have played together at some point. However since two Upsiders teach for Coventry Music, there was a common thread binding them all together & it was great to see a Coventry Music contingent led by their head at the gig. A real testament to their work.
It was a regrettably rare chance for The Upsiders to play a set of originals, based around their ‘Reconnect' suite & those watching may not have heard the songs before but responded in such a manner that took everyone a little by (pleasant) surprise. Plenty of CDs changed hands afterwards as a result. The band gained a new demographic for their fanbase & were obviously incredibly energised by what they were getting back.
Project Overload of course also move from strength to strength. There wasn't time for another ninety minute set as they played recently in Banbury but with another gig planned for tonight in Birmingham at The Rainbow in Digbeth) pacing themselves was probably wise. Nevertheless we heard new material, some destined for their upcoming second album and were the first to see their cool new merch: their T shirts featuring them in silhouette to match the title of the current single. Which was also in their set: the first live airing since release.
The excellent sound was courtesy of Ian Whitehead & it was interesting that he validated my impression that the band develop every time he works with them: this time the working of space into newer material (as noted by Tom's remarks quoted in the review of the single) was evident live as was the parallel to the Loophole development with increased vocal interaction between Emily & Lucas. No wonder they are dubbed "Coventry's best new band".
I think 2025 can be a really exciting year for Project Overload but also for these other great bands. As I've said before, the talent is without question present in the local scene & as showcased by such young bands, the future prospects are superb. We just need to preserve spaces like The Tin for them to demonstrate it in & try to find more.
I personally find it a very exciting time to be involved in Coventry & Warwickshire music: even the minor duties of organisation (The Tin staff are so efficient that this was minimal on my part) could not distract me from an evening which managed to exceed even my sky high expectations.
