On this particular evening in September, the spotlight was firmly on University of Nottingham alumni and indie four-piece Blondes, who graced the stage at Rough Trade Nottingham...
The intimate setting of Rough Trade Nottingham provided the perfect backdrop for Blondes' performance. The venue's rustic charm, with its exposed brick walls and vintage décor, created an atmosphere that felt both welcoming and electric. The stage was bathed in warm, ambient lighting, with an array of fans all anticipating their final stop on this tour.
With stellar support from Indie pop duo crysometimes, with buzzing riffs and delicate vocals, the duo even though had only met a handful of times excelled. Radiating cool, front person Megan had all the angst whilst also balancing vulnerability definitely the next thing for lovers of Holly Humberstone and Beabadoobee.
Following the release of their EP In Separation the band served up a mixture of new and old, chatting to the audience as if familiar friends. The Charm of guitarist Alex after explaining the song Minimum Wage was about him not wanting to go into work one day and his old boss being in attendance. After the TikTok success of their single Coming of Age during the pandemic this band are emerging in the contemporary indie scene.
Although the venue and crowd small the support for the band was consistent, as they opened the show with a mix of melancholic riffs and an air of euphoria as they played Basement with funky bass riffs and jangly guitars followed by Does it Rain on You? off their new EP. It was clear that any of these tracks could have easily accompanied your favourite coming of age film. Although still finding their feet in newly acquiring headliner status after supporting Inhaler on tour earlier this year, an aura of genuineness radiated off front man Will.
The band seemingly are finding their sound and realising the loyalty of their fans, with the venue being filled with fans who new every word to the new music and the band themselves seemed quite chuffed with this. Continuing on to play Love in the Afternoon that swirled around the small space with such a quality of immersion and real vulnerability. The reverb of the opening riff of Coming of Age bounced between the walls and the song that is doused in nostalgia rung through the crowd. Whether you were familiar with the band or not after this you’d be sure to do some further listening. As Drummer Dave threw his drumsticks the band put down their instruments and left.
Consequently, leaving the stage in encoric fashion, as expected the crowd began to chant causing the band to return to the stage and finish off with Out the Neighbourhood. Declaring goodnight to the room, they actually left the stage this time to retreat to their merch booth in which they stayed to chat with the crowd.
A group with unmatchable chemistry and a highly personable quality, Blondes are a band who are worth catching and for sure are front runners in the next generation of indie rock bands.
Blondes performed at Rough Trade on 20 September 2023.
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