Girlinky
Tour Log: A ten point power pop personal delivery programme
Step 8: Sunderland
Ku, 20th Nov
Unfortunately this night is cancelled due to an exploding sound system
the previous day. The band sat around supping lucozade and munching
Tunnock's
Caramel Wafers, but, y'know, they could've totally rocked if they'd
needed to.
Step 7: York
Certificate 18, 19th Nov
York idding me (sigh) say all as the shortest drive ever delivers
the band buoyed up and ready for another jaunt. And although the weather
is still butt-ass-freezing, God managed to put on a spectacular day
of vivid blue skies and bracing, Canadian-friendly air. After familiarising
themselves with those two great bastions of British motorway life,
Little Chef and the Travelodge, the band were finally able to rinse
away the grime of the previous night's rocking. Although there's a
comprehensive metal poster coverage and general non-pop seeming atmosphere,
the band receive an open-armed reception and any inkling of death
metal preoccupations are assuaged as AKP start up super-sharply with
killer melodic basslines, angelic falsetto singing and the coolest
electronic
drumkit ever in the history of time, delivering a catchy set of
screaming guitar pop. Then up step My Friend Juliet, notably shorter
in the tooth than Girlinky and manifesting a sure onstage swagger,
they play an energetic string of punky noise, as well as one soft
and cuddly bass-led number that was almost just right for waltzing.
Step 6: Leeds
Fenton, 18th Nov
In valiant efforts to stave off potential exhaustion, Sarah bravely
steps up and volunteers to keep the rest of the band awake on the
current epic van journey with her unique rendition of Kate Bush's
'Wuthering Heights'. Spirits boosted and energy regained by the action
of silencing this shrieking banshee, the band were ready to make some
serious noise. The Girlinky set was a poppy riot of, well, pop, starting
out with old favourite 'Umbrella' and lurching through all your favourite
powerpop classics to end with favourite number 'It's not cold in the
snowglobe', suitably accompanied by a gentle fall of genuine frosty
flakes outside. Proving to be more than freezing enough in the snowglobe,
a welcome night of comfort was passed thanks to the kindness of friend
connections and in possibly closer proximity than any band ever should,
stuffed lion company notwithstanding.
Step 5: Nottingham
Junktion 7, 17th Nov
Girlinky are minus the girl tonight after the Sarah 1000 blew a crucial
circuit and had to stay behind for essential realignment work. So
it's a stripped back, raw and unbridled 'Linky who finally stand up
to be counted after a lengthy digression involving mistaken postcodes
and The Middle Of Nowhere. Thankfully a viewing of the Metallica rockumentary
the night before stands all in good stead for some serious noise production,
although sadly no-one has a six month tantrum or shouts fuuuuuck repeatedly
in anyone's face. The night kick starts with eminently watchable theatrics
and compellingly unsettling rhythms from Lo Ego. The 'Linky threesome
crank up before returning to home base to bring the full force team
back together.
Step 4: Brixton
Windmill, 10th Nov
Dog! Horse! Dog! Twenty-four hour supermarket! Bib prove unavoidably
catchy and unwittingly provide the vocal soundcheck soundtrack for
the rest of the tour. And What Will Be Left Of Them rack up the entertainment
value with eminently watchable presence and great stomping
tunes. A great London night out to punctuate the out of town forays.
Step 3: Bath
Moles, 28th Oct
The elements conspire once more to present a formidable water barrier
to heading out but it's not enough to deter the intrepid from an excellent
Purr night. Discussions ensue as to the best cat name (Steve and Bandit
forge through as popular contenders) before Scanners hit the stage
boasting grand stances and delivering short belts of noddable riffing
to widespread approval. The Girlinky stride kicks off to a staggered
start as ungrateful instruments rebel mischievously but builds to
a blistering 'It's Not Cold In The Snowglobe', segueing a playground
of synth joy into guitar strewn mayhem and everyone surfaces in smiling
tatters. The Hot Puppies playfully abound with wild singalongs and
scifi theremin and it's a reluctant leaving party which has to head
back all too early into the night.
Step 2: Hull
Adelphi, 25th Oct
Spiriting themselves again along everlasting motorways, the group
find themselves by the impressively mammoth Humber
Bridge and ready to force their pop wares onto those brave enough
to venture out into a largely uninviting Monday night. Hospitality
stakes though are upped once more and are in danger of raising expectations
of top treatment to a precariously unsustainable level. It's a suitably
chaotic and compelling night featuring an array of audience members
who pop up on the stage in slightly baffling succession, lending the
atmosphere an eager momentum. This has the happy result of minimising
road fatigue and Girlinky bounce up to give pop a satisfyingly good
kicking. Lots of kind and friendly words are exchanged and an upbeat
return to Girlinky HQ is made despite many a wide-eyed stare and fisticuffs
over who gets control of the iPod.
Step 1: Preston
Mill, 23rd Oct
Forging through unrelenting rain and unforgiving toll booths, Girlinky
head north for the first night of sugar
rushing. Warm receptions are received all round and the group
enjoy welcome levels of camaraderie with highly entertaining bill-sharers
the unfeasibly local Tin Gods and the unfeasibly youthful Halcyon.
The stage is vast and rather than being obliged to barge and otherwise
get in each other's way, the group have to make an effort to forge
valiantly into each other's paths. The tour kicks off to a suitably
rockin' start, the van holds up and everyone winds up intact despite
inadvisable smoking breaks between diesel depositories and butane
tanks and more snack breaks than could be legitimately justified.
One thing's for sure, we're all gonna be a lot fatter after this.
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