Sunday night. Catching up with my best friend, as we clutch a can of fosters and a boyfriend each, we walk downtown to Clwb Ifor Bach to see Francesqa. An ex acoustic band with bundles of potential, I am excited to finally experience them live. Tom Delonge picked them to play on Slam Dunks introducing stage earlier last year. So these guys aren’t just rising stars, their shooting through the skies of the industry.
As we arrive at the venue, Aled Phillips (the lead singer of Kids In Glass Houses) casually holds open the door for us and when we stand at the back of the snuggled up crowd, Ashley Wilkie (the lead singer of Francesqa) turns around and we realise the band are lined up right in front of our very toes. Starstruck much...
The band starts playing in the small venue, with the crowd creeping up on them like the tide on a beach. The clapping snare drum is a crash machine that focuses our attention on the band with high voltage jolts from Ashley who whacks on a floor tom which produces an overall enjoyable jungle beat. He then manages to hit his attractive high vocal chords despite having cameras almost balanced on his pierced nose. “Fuck! This is awkward”
Whilst the rising heat in the venue begins to make my eyes go fuzzy, the band experience technical problems. Despite this, they play on with high energy and identical ‘filthy jaymer’ hair cuts to a docile audience. The Oxfordshire pop rockers hook us up with harmonies and clasp us with gentle heartfelt acoustics. They finish their set with muddy power and submerge into the crowd. All of the girls stalk Ashley for autographs and pictures. In such an intimate environment is seems embarrassing but honestly, I don’t blame them, I fancy him too.
Yet another tour complete, yet another increase in popularity. The verdict of Francesqa is expected. Talented? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Consistent and enjoyable? Definitely.
As we arrive at the venue, Aled Phillips (the lead singer of Kids In Glass Houses) casually holds open the door for us and when we stand at the back of the snuggled up crowd, Ashley Wilkie (the lead singer of Francesqa) turns around and we realise the band are lined up right in front of our very toes. Starstruck much...
The band starts playing in the small venue, with the crowd creeping up on them like the tide on a beach. The clapping snare drum is a crash machine that focuses our attention on the band with high voltage jolts from Ashley who whacks on a floor tom which produces an overall enjoyable jungle beat. He then manages to hit his attractive high vocal chords despite having cameras almost balanced on his pierced nose. “Fuck! This is awkward”
Whilst the rising heat in the venue begins to make my eyes go fuzzy, the band experience technical problems. Despite this, they play on with high energy and identical ‘filthy jaymer’ hair cuts to a docile audience. The Oxfordshire pop rockers hook us up with harmonies and clasp us with gentle heartfelt acoustics. They finish their set with muddy power and submerge into the crowd. All of the girls stalk Ashley for autographs and pictures. In such an intimate environment is seems embarrassing but honestly, I don’t blame them, I fancy him too.
Yet another tour complete, yet another increase in popularity. The verdict of Francesqa is expected. Talented? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Consistent and enjoyable? Definitely.