The Brudenell is really buzzing tonight. It is a veritable hive of activity, a seething mass of cheerful humanity. It may only be early in the week but the famous Social Club is already playing host to two huge shows this evening. One is an absolute sell out, the other very nearly so. The first – in the venue’s main concert room – features Chicagoan rock band Twin Peaks and a star-studded supporting cast of Happyness, BIG and founding member of The Mekons, Jon Langford. And the second – in the smaller capacity games room – presents the Minnesota-based singer-songwriter Haley Bonar and new rising stars Girl Ray.
On the stroke of half past eight the all-female, North London-based outfit Girl Ray take to the stage and over the next 30 minutes confirm exactly why they are starting to loom so very large on many critics’ “ones-to-watch” radar. Recently recruited to the ranks of respected indie imprint Moshi Moshi Records, their wonky, slightly off-centre pop creations ooze charm and hint at a myriad of future possibilities. Forthcoming single ‘Trouble’ – due for release as a limited edition 7” single on 25th November – and it’s even better B-side ‘Where Am I Now?’ may still be rather rough diamonds but somehow manage to combine those essential pop ingredients of playfulness, euphoria and delightful harmony.
Haley Bonar may only be 33 years of age but is already umpteen EPs and albums into a recording career that stretches back to the very early new millennium. The title of her latest long-playing offering, Impossible Dream points towards thwarted ambition, one in which life’s major goals continue to remain tantalisingly out of her reach. But whether it is mere coincidence or Bonar actually has the powers of great prescience, the new album is now proving to be the catalyst for her much wider artistic exposure and recognition.
As she continues to slalom her way melodiously and effortlessly through her current UK tour not only is Haley Bonar playing to full houses and garnering rave reviews but she is also racking up prestigious appearances on Later…with Jools Holland, 6Music and Radio 4’s Loose Ends programme. Suddenly her musical star is firmly in the ascendency.
And tonight we are provided with one hour’s worth of compelling evidence as to the reasons why. Bonar and her band treat us to 16 songs – nine of which are drawn from Impossible Dream (‘Blue Diamonds Fall’ is the only one not to make it out onto the road tonight) – of pure unadulterated power pop. Lean and sinewy, there is absolutely no fat or gristle on these beauties. They are taut, muscular delights full of melody and invention. Hell, we even get a cover of The Crystals’ ‘Then He Kissed Me’ as an encore. Moreover, it stays remarkably true to the original’s sweet innocence and those signature Spector stylings of echo-laden drums and multi-layered instruments.
Such is the brilliant atmosphere generated in the Brudenell Games Room tonight – hot, sticky and ever so highly charged – Haley Bonar likens the experience to all of the punk rock shows she had gone to as a teenager. Yes, it really was one of those special nights.
Photo credit: Simon Godley
