I’m going to start off this review by stating Lonely The Brave should be playing bigger venues, and that fact is backed up tonight as The Bodega is sold out. They are clearly a band in demand. Nevertheless tonight may just be one of the last opportunities to see the Cambridge band in such an intimate setting.
However before LTB grace up with their brand of powerful, anthemic rock, Hannah Lou Clark opens the night to an appreciative response. Armed with just her soothing voice, an electric guitar and a drum machine, Clark produces an admirable range of warming, sparse and delicate rock numbers that ease the crowd in. However her atmospheric tone sends the majority of the crowd into an uninterested lull. (2/5)
As for tonights headliners, Lonely The Brave, it seems their constant run of touring and playing festivals before and after the release of last year’s stunning ‘The Day’s War’ LP has paid off. Tonights audience is noticeably varied in age yet they’re united in admiration for a band that should be bigger than they are.
Arriving to a stirring instrumental, the quintet ease us in with ‘Call of Horses’ before kick starting the set with ‘Trick of the Light’. As always, David is pitch perfect and reserved in his demeanour. With some frontman, you would normally be frustrated by their lack of presence but when you have a voice as astounding as Jakes’, they’re easily forgiven.
As their near hour long set progresses, LTB showcase ‘The Day’s War’ in a strong light. The surging ‘River River’, and the astronomical ‘Victory Line’ are played early on and sound far bigger than the confines of the intimate Bodega has to offer. However ‘Dinosaurs’ brings the tone down as Jakes’ impressive vocal display takes centre stage during the slow burning number before ‘Black Saucers’ takes things back up again with an almighty rock onslaught. We then get treated to 2 new songs, both sound promising and shows the bands versatility; one is a calm, harmonious number whilst the other is a pounding, upbeat offering.
The night ends with a double dose of superb anthemic rock as ‘The Blue, The Green’ and ‘Backroads’ has everyone in attendance realising this band are special. Sure they may not be playing larger, more worthy venues but it is clear Lonely The Brave are destined for big things. It is only a matter of time of how incredible this band is. (4.5/5)
3.5/5
Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86).
