Sometimes a gig breaks from the usual mould, and Monday night at The Bodega offered just that: a seated, laid-back atmosphere in the downstairs bar with free entry, where the crowd gathered around small tables in a casual but attentive setting…
Opening the evening was familyfriend., the solo project of Toby, a local Nottingham talent. Armed with a blue electric guitar and a backing track, Toby delivered a refreshingly intimate performance. He kicked things off with his first single, Head Out, which had only dropped earlier this month. The remainder of the set was unreleased material, giving the audience a sneak peek into his upcoming works. His next track, Heart Goes Out to You, led smoothly into Kids of the New Generation, where he admitted with a laugh that he might forget the lyrics, with it being one of his more recently-written tunes.
There were a few charming moments of light-heartedness throughout the set. At one point, Toby dropped his guitar pick, and a helpful audience member at the front retrieved it for him. "Do you ever find when you do that they disappear into the ether?" he joked, before adding, "I'm not a comedian, don’t mind the on-stage banter.” For Strange Paradise, he teased the audience with, "Hope you've got your maracas for the next one," before diving into the track.
His music is self-made, crafted entirely in his bedroom, and his DIY aesthetic shone through in songs like Black Book (set for release on 18th October). Snake Eats Snake stood out with impressive vocals, before he wrapped things up with a fresh-off-the-press number, Superking Blue, a track inspired by the cigarette of the same name. True to the gig’s intimate, DIY vibe, he even gave out homemade stickers after the set, leaving the crowd feeling connected and appreciative of his down-to-earth charm.
Next up, headliners Night Swimming took to the stage, travelling up from Bath for the show. Led by Meg Jones, a vocalist with a soft but powerful stage presence, who previously lived in Nottingham for three years, the band opened with Evergreen, the song used to announce the gig earlier this year. The dreamy, ethereal track set the tone for a set that combined the tracks from the band’s newly released EP No Place To Land, which was released last Friday, with deeper cuts from their catalogue, like Freight Train and A Wall.
A standout moment came with their cover of The Sundays' Here’s Where the Story Ends. This allowed Jones to showcase a different side to her voice, which, despite her mentioning it was slightly hoarse from a heavy gigging schedule, was flawless throughout the entire set. This more powerful vocal moment was followed by the ballad Buckley’s, where her voice took on a more fragile, emotional edge - a perfectly constructed contrast within the setlist.
The set ended on a high note with Five Year Plan, a highlight of their new EP. Throughout the performance, there were moments when the instruments mellowed, letting the dreamy vocals float to the forefront, creating a serene, almost hypnotic atmosphere. Jones’ voice was clear, controlled, and captivating, adding a layer of emotional depth to every track, and her occasional use of the tambourine added a delicate rhythm that complemented the band’s lush, dreamy soundscapes.
Night Swimming's ability to blend atmospheric instrumentals with personal, heartfelt lyrics resonated deeply with the audience, and the seated format of the gig allowed for a more intimate connection between the band and the crowd, who were lost in the ethereal atmosphere which was created. As the final notes of Five Year Plan faded, there was a palpable sense of satisfaction in the room. The laid-back vibe of the evening, coupled with the enchanting performances, made for a special night at The Bodega.
Night Swimming performed at The Bodega on 30th September 2024.
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