Street Voice UK

Sunday wasn’t the best of starts health wise – In the morning and early afternoon I just wanted to curl up and die I was in that much pain. With the weather all over the place didn’t make things any better!

Come late afternoon I felt well enough to quickly get ready and I took my camera as it was already set up from a gig the previous night. A quick jog down the train station to find I needn’t have rushed as it was already ten minutes late!

The train pulls into Shrewsbury and off I go on a ten minute stroll to the Albert’s shed where I’m greeted by the Friendly Campaign! We have a bit of a catch up and I actually manage a couple of drinks even if its alcoholic pop stuff.

Soon it was time for the opening act who consist of Jack Evans a Telford based acoustic artist with singer Isobel Parker. I thought i’d never seen these two before but my memory was jogged and I may have seen them busking at Southwater a year or two ago!

Anyway their covers set as a duo was bang on the button. I’m not a covers band fan at all but in fairness these two gel well together and with their talents should now start writing their own songs!

I enjoyed their set but out of nowhere a bassist and drummer joined them on stage and they uped the tempo with some more covers.

What blew my mind was their cover of ‘Valerie’ by Amy Winehouse. Isobel Parker’s vocals took her in a different league to what I’ve heard before from other bands covering that song!

After another drink (Cheers Gus!) it was time for The Freindly Campaign – A band from Stoke who had been doing the rounds since the 1980’s. Also had a single played on the John Peel show back in the day too!

Some of you may remember them as the The New Subterraneans so I was eager to find out what they had to deliver. I didn’t have to wait long! They caught my attention with their brand of power-pop delivered in style!

They kicked off the set with ‘Bluebell’ steamed through other songs such as ‘I’ve Captured You’ and their latest single ‘Seagulls’ which is blinding live. As soon as they finished ‘Hamilton’s Rise’ they played some of their New Subs stuff including ‘Josephine’. The final track of the night saw the band go mad and what a finish to a brilliant night!

I’m surprised The Friendly Campaign aren’t bigger – They have a wicked catchy sound that will appeal to all ages so maybe promoters ought to take notice of this fantastic band from Stoke!

It was time to say our goodbyes and a stroll to the train station saw big delays. 90 minutes to get home but the journey to Shrewsbury was well worth it!

Words / Photos: Kat Riot