I first saw the girls play a Twisterella show almost three years ago; since then I've got to know them well, thanks to this interview they did for me in 2022 and then hanging out with them after their Barn on the Farm debut in 2023. They have a great, honest energy, and have really grown as a band, and as individual musicians, over the past few years.
The Moth Club gig featured a well thought-out line-up. The two support acts were both skilful and passionate: complementing and paving the way for the headliner, rather than obviously playing second fiddle.
Sister are a London-based sibling duo, now playing as a four-piece. They pumped out a well-polished set of glam/funk-leaning hard rock vibes, bringing an intense sense of immediacy tp the intimate (and very glittery) space. Their live sound is pleasingly warm, thanks in part to the beautiful vintage bass which Sadie plays, but also upbeat: rock solid drumming and plenty of heroic guitar solos make sure of that.
They finished the set with their latest single 'Feel It', a sweeping, expansive and 70s-inflected song with very singable chorus. Check them out via Instagram, and look out for their new EP 'Lip Service' which is coming soon.
Devon stepped up next: they're an artist from the Forest of Dean with an impressive CV and a skill for creating emotive, impactful alt-pop. He played backed by a drummer and bass guitarist, switching himself from keyboard to guitar and back.
His songs generally veer towards the upbeat, jangly and generally bright, but also feature more experimental sections and quieter, more intense moments. Devon obviously won over the buzzing crowd, providing a slightly lighter interlude before the main event. Follow Devon on Instagram.
And now ... Carpark, stepping up in front of a supportive crowd and launching quickly into the rapid-fire 'M.I.A.'
The trio have been together for long enough to be able to play comfortably and naturally as a group, each doing their own thing but in the knowledge that the other two bandmates are in full support. I'm not sure I've seen a band smile so much while performing either - they were absolutely loving the experience, playing their hearts out, drawing inspiration and energy from the crowd, and giving it back — amplified and multiplied.
Carpark have been steadily building a solid catalogue of songs, as well as a loyal fan base over the past few years, and that persistent hard work is now paying off. Their music flowed well, with almost every song landing well. ‘The World Ended In 2012’ was solid yet sweeping, Hattie’s guitar providing a solid undercurrent for Scottie’s chiming vocals, while Loda provided a consistently reliable backbeat.
I want to take a moment here to note what an absolutely fantastic drummer Loda (aka Lauren) really is: technically accurate, careful and somehow almost casually powerful. Her drum work is unmissable yet subtle, never overblown. As she’s developed in skill and confidence, she’s also reworked and further improved her part of the Carpark repertoire.
The band’s set featured a few older songs, such as ‘Countdown From Ten’ and ‘Don’t Know Why We Met’, mixed with their newest (‘Happy On Mars’ and ‘Suburbs of Hell’); those newer ones mark a more developed, nuanced and future-leaning sound for the band, hinting at even bigger and more exciting stories for them. On stage, they sounded a little more raw but no less promising.
Also sprinkled through the set were some surprises: the announcement of the band’s first vinyl EP and a giveaway (handled by Scottie throwing a beach ball into the audience to find a winner), and a really well delivered acoustic rendition of a notably non-acoustic song, ‘Blow Me Out Of The Water’.
Those elements demonstrated again how much work Carpark were putting into creating this overwhelmingly fun night; doing all they could to give their fans, both new and loyal, a good experience — and that investment meant that the band themselves had a great time, too. The time flew by, the two-song was delivered without any posturing, and soon the girls were selling merch, taking selfies and sharing drinks with the rest of us.
Carpark had proved again why they mean so much to their fans, and how honest hard work coupled with creativity and energy can create success.
Date of gig: 26 April 2024
Full setlist:
M.I.A.
The world ended in 2012
Not the perfect start
Countdown from 10
Happy for a day
Blow me out of the water (Acoustic)
Don’t know why we met
Don’t want you
Happy on Mars
Born to be average
Suburbs of hell