By Dickie Felton
Julia Bardo
Julia Bardo’s ‘Please Don’t Tell Me’ launches as if it’s ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’. You half expect her to sing about ‘life going on day after day…’
Instead she sings that ‘tomorrow never comes’ and time almost stands still during her stunning six-song set at Manchester’s Night and Day Café.
Bardo is Italian but finds herself living in Manchester and joins other up-and-coming artists as part of this BBC Introducing curated evening.
Bardo sounds a little like Natalie Merchant with beautifully crafted songs that in a bygone era may have featured in John Peel’s Festive 50.
Her songs are truly great.
‘It’s Ok to Not Be OK’ and ‘Do This to Me’ deserve to be a big hits. The former song an anthem to mental health recovery.
Abbie Ozard
We were expecting a band called Swim School but get Abbie Ozard instead.
Ozard does not need armbands or swimming lessons.
She soars like an Olympic athlete breaking pool records each time she dives under the water.
The stand-out track from her set ‘True Romance’ is pure indie pop – of the ilk of The Primitives’ Crash.
It strikes me I may actually buy a new car – a convertible. Just so I can put the top down and play ‘True Romance’ loud and endlessly. In the rain.
Ozard could be a true indie rock star. In purple dress complemented with purple stage lights, it all feels a bit like watching The Cure in their fun 80s pop era.
The Goa Express
Not to be confused with The Polar Express, The Goa Express are on the fast track to stardom.
They could be massive. They are indie, punk, rock, reggae, and are a cross between The Charlatans, The Clash and The Housemartins.
Any band which utilises a harmonica so beautifully has my vote.
The Goa Express are fast and furious but there’s a certain delicacy to their songs.
‘Be My Friend’ has the audience bopping around the room like they’ve Been Caught Stealing at a Jane’s Addiction gig.
In-between breathtaking songs, Goa frontmen share and swig cans of Stella.
One track sounds a bit like The Smiths’ ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ – if you were to throw it into a terrifically fast tumble dryer.
‘Second Time’ is the highlight of their set and gorgeous vocals come to the fore.
Goa Express are going places. Catch them quick before all their gigs are sold-out.
(Would’ve reviewed IST IST but missed them after running for my last train north).
Excellent review of all bands concerned. The Goa Express being mentioned in the same breath as The Clash will do for me, even forty years on. Thank you!
You’d have been equally impressed with Ist Ist. All these performers are worth further investigation. Great to be at a gig with you again.
So enjoyed the night mate. Great to see you.