Gig review: The Hoplites and friends at Metronome

Words: Bassey

Photos: Steve Fisher

Monday 09 September 2024

reading time: min, words

music Metronome

Brand-new Nottingham ska group The Hoplites have already impressed listeners with their blend of original tunes and stomping rhythms, and as they took to the stage for the first time at Metronome, they proved that their live sound is also something very special...

On a balmy and late summer evening, I got to see the first performance of a new Nottingham band called The Hoplites at Metronome. The evening included the great retro sounds from DJ Jim Byrd throughout the evening. Thank you for the original ska music Jim; anyone who wants to recreate the 1960's excitement from this genre should check him out.

First of the live bands was Concrete Rose. I last watched these guys provide an acoustic set at Redfest over a year ago and was eager to hear their full band sound. A Jamaican roots reggae influenced vibe but with a modern twist that at times was hard hitting and moved more to a rock sound. I heard later that the guys had not all played together for nearly two years but you'd never have guessed from the performance they gave. With a new bass player and their mojo back, I wish them lots of success over the following months.

Next up was the main support band, Jeremiah Ferrari. Manchester based but with plenty of gigging and festival experience around the country including supporting The Wailers and UB40 tours, this four-piece band gave us tight Ska/Reggae/Indie Rock/Pop fusions. Mean and moody bass riddims from Hanson and the tightest of drum beats from Paddy allowed Chris to provide clipped rhythm guitar sounds and rocky riffs, whilst lead vocalist Ryan wrapped the vibe up into a highly entertaining and danceable show. This was a high-energy performance that left a packed room breathless and demanded that they stayed for more. My personal favourites were the cover versions of 54 46 Was My Number by Toots and the Maytals and Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and The Wailers. Catch these guys in a town near you, and I challenge you to try and stay still!

Finally, it was time for The Hoplites to show Nottingham what they had been rehearsing and recording over the past year. The band members came on stage one by one, developing the sound as they joined and showed an eager audience the sound they had created. A packed room watched a packed stage of nine Hoplites: Kane, Raph, Big Ben, Mikey, Mike, Amy, Little Ben, Sylvain and Lee, plus guest Jody Betts on keys, as they delivered a blend of original songs in the form of skanking rhythms, the steadiest of rocksteady beats and the early 1970s reggae and 1960s Ska sounds.

These guys are looking towards the first ska wave rather than the revival of the late 1970s for their inspiration and they did not disappoint the fans. A packed room enjoyed the highly danceable beats and The Hoplites set list included all three tracks from their recent maxi single, including a guest appearance from Cloe Rogers providing vocals on the song Longing For Something. This was a highly polished performance and it was hard to believe that this was their first ever gig, I'm sure many more will now follow.

In ancient Greece, The Hoplites were free citizen soldiers, providing their own weapons and fighting for what they believed in. Today, The Hoplites are free thinking folks, armed with their music and playing what they believe in. Long live The Hoplites and long live their music.

The Hoplites performed at Metronome on 6th September 2024.

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