Another's Blood provide a refreshing break from the faux-math-rockers populating much of Cardiff's support and small bands. In fact, they only had one guitar that was more often than not left dangling and gropeless from the lead singer's neck as he played with the keyboard in front of him.
Really very engrossing stuff. Soft, yet grand. Unassuming, but assured. Quite poppy, but not to the extent of the likes of Hurts or the Fray. More like the best bits of the Temper Trap, or Local Natives without guitar hooks.
All in all, with their scooping drums, growing synths and keyboard twinkles they were enjoyable. Casually so rather than intensely but straying away from the trap of being 'catchy'.
Dog is Dead came on afterwards. With much more gusto although not that removed from the Local Natives vibe that accompanied the opener. They had a saxophone which always secures a mention, so well done there. It added some sunny feelings which were well received by myself and the huddled masses in the corners and crevices of the oddly shaped Cardiff Arts Institute.
Foregoing some of their slower material (and overall a more upbeat showing than their recorded stuff), the performance was shaped by exciting thrusts, surges and crescendos. A fantastic accompaniment to the astounding red and yellow gigantic cloud towers above Cardiff earlier that I witnessed while everyone else was staring the team egg and spoon race everyone else was watching (rugby) earlier in the day.
Dog is Dead show much promise as a band getting bigger. Walking through doors opened by Mumford and Sons but without the cheap, horrible tactics employed by that collection. A prevalent Mystery Jets influence was present - which is good.
I have to admit that I can't read a good portion of my notes for a bit so I shall just say that it was a performance full of smart, fun, jaunty combinations and simplexity (complexity orchestrated simply).
One of my favourite free gigs ever. And I went to Live8.
NB. It wasn't as good as Live8
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