The SoapGirls, March To The Grave, Aubrey Eels And The Baron
The Voodoo Lounge, Stamford – 15/7/2022
It’s a good turnout early on at Stamford’s popular Voodoo Lounge and Aubrey Eels take full advantage. It’s a set that takes old school punk and turns it on its head thanks to the fact that the band is a duo and they have a quirky writing style. Drums are played stood up and are minimalist. The delivery is anything but though and you have to keep checking to see if there’s another musician hiding somewhere. To the point and fun, this is the perfect way to kick off the evening.
Stalwarts of the local scene for decades March To The Grave remind you of why grass roots music is so important. They play mostly originals to a crowd that clearly know them well. They have the experience and familiarity to be able to banter their way through their set between song in such a way that it naturally becomes inclusive for anyone seeing them for the first time. They don’t do complicated or cutting edge. This is pure entertainment, and sometimes that’s the most important thing of all.
It’s been three long years since The SoapGirls last graced the Voodoo Lounge. In that time the girls have been working hard by performing near constantly online. They also have a brand new album ‘In My Skin’ out too, and they’ve just announced they’ll be touring Japan later this year. They’re not so much emerging from lockdown as leaving it in their dust. Tonight they show just why they are such a popular force. They are simply sublime with new songs sitting totally at home with older favourites. The girls let their music do the talking as the set flies past in the blink of an eye. It’s almost as if they haven’t been away at all with all those online shows meaning the duo are well and truly in the groove. The harmonies are a delight too and from somewhere they’ve found even more impetus. Like a finely honed blade The SoapGirls cut through so much bull, and that makes them one of the coolest bands around.
Review and photos by Gary Trueman