It’s rare to be blown away by an unsigned band.
Frankly, they tend to be a bit hit and miss. Sure, every ardent gig-goer has a story to tell about ‘that time they watched George Ezra play in a pub in Truro’ or ‘when they saw Mumford & Sons in a basement in Southampton’, but for every soon-to-be superstar there exists a hundred unsigned bands, unfortunately destined to do little more than make a racket in a rehearsal room and play a couple of sparsely attended pub and club gigs.
These guys are the real deal
Brother & Bones are not one of these bands. The Cornish alt-rockers have only just released their debut album, but their set at Plymouth’s The Hub is a prime example of why they’re destined for great things. Their performance can’t be faulted – frontman Rich Thomas’s whisky-deep vocals are captivating and crisp, and the band’s unique blend of atmospheric rock and arena-sized choruses is perfectly suited to the intimate confines of The Hub.
It’s good news for fans of their debut
The majority of the set is dedicated to tracks from the band’s self-titled debut album, with a handful of early recordings thrown in for good measure. Fan favourite To Be Alive serves as the highlight of the band’s hour and twenty minute long set, and also marks the start of the first mass singalong of the night. A pounding rendition of blues-rocker Wicked Man ensures that even the most miserable of gig-goers grooving, while a surprise cover of Coldplay’s God Put A Smile Upon Your Face is gifted a percussive twist by the band’s formidable rhythm trio.
The support band weren’t half bad either
An honourable mention must also go to Cornish newcomers Haunt The Woods. Tasked with the duty of kicking off the night’s proceedings, the four-piece quickly win over the near-capacity crowd with their set of original acoustically-driven pop-rock. They sound like the musical love-child of alt-J and Mumford & Sons, and we were seriously impressed – keep an eye out for them.
In short, you should go and see them
We’re not quite sure why Brother & Bones haven’t received the backing of a major record label, but we do know that they’re one of the best live bands we’ve seen this year. Take the chance to see them in a small venue while you still can, because it won’t be long before you see them headlining festivals.