Reviews

Flags at The Birdcage in Bristol - gig review

Posted on: 2014-08-24

It seems a certainty that anyone attending these early Flags gigs will in 10 years time have a smug grin on their face as they say the words: ?I was there from the start?.

---

 

My first experience of Flags was earlier in the year, when they played as part of an unsigned act collective (UATM) at the Louisiana. The band blew me away completely, performing songs from their recent LP Oil And Sparks, and a few newer songs that I have spent the last few months hoping find their way onto a full length album.

So with that in mind, I expected great things from Flags on 22nd August when they played at The Birdcage, and I was far from disappointed.

The Birdcage itself is a rather cool venue - the kind of aggressively hip place where you feel like you should probably buy some herbal tea and a falafel to fit in. The acoustics were lovely, warm and loud and just as this band should be heard. Although the actual sound quality did occasionally fall into fuzziness and feedback, the points of clarity in between were more than enough to redeem it. There were more people on the night than at the previous gig, and I think the fact that we were ground level and surrounded by big windows certainly helped. Passers by would hear the music as they walked, and most often end up wandering in for a better look. Exactly what happened when I was first shown the band, through a pair of beaten-up headphones at the back of a bus, when much to the joy of the enthused friend who initiated me, I loved them from the first song.

The one let down was that despite being billed for a 7:30 start, the band had no support and were only able to begin at 10. Seems this was down to the venue rather than the band, but it shouldn’t be held against them. As vocalist Rory said – “I’ve never played somewhere so nicely decorated.”

When Flags play there is a fevered energy that flows between the members. This is something that not only shows in their live shows but is entrenched in their every musical output. Friday saw them harness this energy and throw it out to the audience at The Birdcage. Pete mercilessly attacked his pedal board with his feet, Duncan did his wonderful bass-in-hand dancing, and every band member pulled facial expressions that looked as though they were going to cry or laugh or pass out or SOMETHING drastic, anyhow. The cog-turning scowl of someone having a philosophical debate or watching an Italian art film was etched across both audience and artist as the songs reached their crescendos. There was passion there, palpable effort and drive was going into each note and each syllable, and that is why bands like Flags make me proud of Bristol and its musical talent.

This Old House, Restless Machine and Oil And Sparks all got a playthrough with a couple of those tantalising newer ones thrown in amongst them. A few minor slip-ups were forgivable as the band reliably gave it their all and delivered a really satisfying gig. I would certainly recommend Flags to anyone, and have on several occasions, but to see them live is an experience in itself and that’s what I love about them. The music packs a punch on a CD, but when the songs are given the personal edge of a fantastic, intimate and euphoric performance they are enough to make lifelong fans out of anyone.

As I said in my previous review (http://www.365bristol.com/review/flags-at-the-louisiana-in-bristol/92/) it seems a certainty that anyone attending these early Flags gigs will in 10 years time have a smug grin on their face as they say the words: “I was there from the start”. My praise for the band just gets higher, and judging by the amount of recent plays on national radio, the public agree.

 

5/5 (again)

Reviewed by Miri Teixeira for 365Bristol

---