Later in the set, after a rousing rendition of Gold, Noddy (Al-Anoud Al-Omran) moved to the piano for an incredibly moving rendition of 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' that was the highlight of the set for me. Afterwards Alex told the crowd how when he'd written the song on his guitar he thought it was the best thing he'd ever done and was certain he would be the one to sing it – that was before he's heard Noddy playing the chords on the piano. This sort of music isn't for everyone, recalling the likes of Fleetwood Mac or Crosby Stills & Nash, I know a lot of people don't enjoy such melancholic melodramas – I am pretty close to being their target audience but I'm also aware of the potential pitfalls. House of Hats manage to avoid being cheesy and laboured partly through their inviting presence on stage, they come across as a lovely bunch of people and the emotion, although a times as overblown as you might expect, seems to come from a very genuine place. They end with new songs 'The Soldier' and 'Red' which again whetted my anticipation for their next album and they end up being dragged back onstage for an encore of the title track from 'This Love'. It's a wonderful evenings and entertainment and I can't wait to see them again!
For tonight's Harvest Session the main event are Will & The People, who have been extremely successful, particularly abroad in Europe, since their inception here in Brighton in the late noughties. I am unfamiliar with the group so I'm not sure how their pop take on reggae will sit after the atmospheric mood House of Hats had created. The band sound a little different to their look – I was almost expecting some 90's skater punk music when they took to the stage but the sound they produce is smoother and sweeter – their playing is excellent and their sounds are also authentic from the palm muted guitar tone and melodica right down to the deep warm bass and the wooden rim shots from the snare drum. They are also very likeable as a group of people, but for me their songs seemed to err on the cheesier end of the spectrum, particularly lyrically – although this was a first impression and I'm sure to give it some deeper inspection when I get round to checking out their forthcoming new album – the title 'Whistleblower' immediately makes me think they could be talking about Snowden, but I couldn't pick up on any political nous from the live show.
Halfway through the set they echo the House of Hats by playing a song they had been asked to write for a radio show in Europe. For me this just drew attention to the more commercial aspects of their sound, using an electronic pad kit to sound more four to the floor than reggae rhythm – although it did have a catchy chorus and included some nice guitar chops which occasionally flourished into afro-beat-esque muted arpeggios. Although the dissenting voices in my head were telling me to write these guys off my feet refused to agree with me, especially during the middle third of their set when the band showcased some great dub grooves which I couldn't help but move to. Will Rendle has a voice that's half Police-era Sting and half cherubic choirboy – sometimes the sweetness is overloading but the bands ability and strength of rhythm is undeniable and singles like 'Mary' will end up bouncing round your head days later whether you want them to or not!
Adam Kidd
BrightonsFinest
