On a wet and windy Thursday evening there was no better place to retreat to than The Chameleon, to see exactly what a line-up of new and local artists had to offer...
Teaming up with The Future Sounds project, the line-up pledged to showcase the newest and most exciting sounds, and first up were the local Nottingham rock duo, Wired Euphoria. Jack Cawthorn (lead vocalist and lead guitarist) and Harry Barber (drums) were not shy of musical talent, showcasing electrifying guitar riffs and explosive drums, they victoriously impressed in their first ever gig. After a rock rendition of Oasis’ Married with Children and a few technical issues with the drums, they humorously brushed it off, “this is our first gig, so something was bound to go wrong.” However, this didn’t take away from a triumphant set.
Next to take the stage was independent indie artist, Tom Hewitt. From Staffordshire, Hewitt brought a blend of soft-indie and alternative rock to the venue and lit-up the room with his gentle and thriving vocals.
Penultimately were Leicester based three-piece, Plastic Circus who threw the audience back into the nineties. The bands musical chemistry with one another exceeded all expectations, combining the essence of Blur and Oasis and the instrumental of the Stone Roses, the trio pulled all elements of nineties rock, Britpop and even The Beatles and have made it their own. Dreamy vocals and guitar riffs echoed throughout the room, and this band may only just be starting out, but they already have a great stage presence. Dressed the part and confident, Plastic Circus navigated the stage with individuality and aura.
Ravenscroft’s vocals were quintessentially British, his accent piercing through with emotion and adding a whole new level of passion to the fun and punchy tracks
Last, but definitely not least, were Brummie band, The Silver Lines. Already having airtime on BBC Radio 1, Radio X and having successfully made their way across the pond to America over the course of 2023, the Birmingham based band showed The Chameleon just why. Although the room wasn’t packed, The Silver Lines filled the room with their punk fuelled guitars and groovy, rock n roll drumbeats. Lead singer Dan Ravenscroft was at home on stage, confident and charismatic, with the intimate setting of the venue, it felt like we were watching the band in their very own living room.
Ravenscroft’s vocals were quintessentially British, his accent piercing through with emotion and adding a whole new level of passion to the fun and punchy tracks. The high-tempo and energetic guitars and ferocious drums of their songs Blow Dry, Parliament and Hotel Room captured the bands motifs to re-structure current guitar music, infusing the spirits of indie-rock and post-punk into our 21st century discography. Their new single ‘bound’ offered a new refreshing approach to modern rock, giving us a taste of where guitar music should be heading.
So, if you are looking for a band that are engaging with authentic and unique guitar music and composition, The Silver Lines are the perfect quartet to show you that new rock music really isn’t dead.
The Silver Lines performed at The Chameleon on 7 December 2023
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