Reviews

The Honeymoon Suite

Their first headline tour wrapped up at the Roadhouse and hinted that the trend may very well be continuing.

Before them, though, local boys The Honeymoon Suite certainly seem to be doing the right thing, and whilst their opening slot performance was a little rough around the edges at times, the band’s catchy brand of pop-punk went down a storm. There was little doubt they certainly possess the tunes to rival any of their contemporaries stateside.

Between The Trees

Thankfully, such rivalries didn’t need drumming up, as the US representatives on the bill, Between The Trees, offered a different and pleasantly surprising sound. Part piano-based indie rock, part electro-laden emo-pop, the band delivered a polished sound and an engaging performance. Somewhat the unknown quantity on tonight’s bill, Between The Trees did more than enough to ensure the majority of those in attendance would be logging onto their MySpace when they got home tonight.

For all the work of the other two bands, it was Kids In Glass Houses that took the plaudits. The choice of covers offered up by the headliners midway through their headlining set - Wham or Glassjaw - serve as a perfect example of their sound.

Kids In Glass Houses

As much anthemic pop as they are jagged post-hardcore, the majority of their songs flit somewhere in the middle with an occasional dash of indie for flavour. And it went down well with a sizable crowd. The band have amassed quite the fan base with their recent high profile support slots and appearance at the Give It A Name festival.

It’s no surprise really, with tracks like Easy Tiger and new single Me Me Me boasting instantly memorable choruses and enough bounce to the ounce. And this being a 14-plus show, there were handclaps, full crowd singalongs and pogoing to accompany every track.

It’s clear KIGH have definitely struck a chord with the same ‘disenfranchised teens’ as fellow Welshmen, Lostprophets. And whilst following them to headlining arenas seems a little far fetched for the Kids at the moment, if they deliver a debut album as strong as their recent EP, Academy 1 isn’t too far out of their reach.