Gig review: Marvin's Revenge at JT Soar

Surprisingly, this was my first visit to JT Soar in my 27 years of existence. It has only recently celebrated 15 years of being a live music venue and has been the soapbox for staging local talent such as Sancho Panza and Stuart Pearce. The space is imbued in every nook and cranny with the ultimate DIY experience, proving that any space, large or small, can become a hub for leftfield music made for misfits. By having just two units both to the left and right of the entrance, I’m captured with a snapshot of the primitive post-industrialism that has spurned from seeking a new lease of life into old places of work.

Upon entering, there is a hive of activity; extinguishing of cigarettes in the wispy rain and cans of lager purchased from the offy adjacent given the venue is BYOB. I had to wait my turn for the latter. The performance area is encased in concrete with a plywood skin. A bodily metamorphosis of materials regenerating new life into interiors. 

Crowdfunder gigs represent two sides in the dichotomy of live music; The first is the generosity of fans, the second being the sorry state of bands not being able to gain enough money to embark on a tour on the other side of the atlantic. Marvin’s Revenge are hosting this gig with their ultimate aim to go to New York and play at The New Colossus festival from 4th to 9th March on the Lower East Side. It is an ambition that should certainly be fulfilled - too many local artists are missing out on being able to tour abroad due to the financial instability caused by the live music scene and the struggle of artists getting their music out to different corners of the globe. For this reason, this gig was a must visit for anyone wanting to support live music.

The first of two acts supporting Marvin’s Revenge were Pict, who were playing their first gig in about a year, and Swallowtail, a band whose name justifies the avian nature of their sound and substance, something we’ll get to later.

Pict came out with a grungy punch to proceedings, a blow softened by acoustic guitars and gentle psychedelic tones. The intertwining of riffs are a case of both wild and formulaic approaches to rock music working so well together. The indigo lighting adds to the trippy ambience and the crowd's tidal swaying reinforces that aura. The most eye-catching thing is the use of a telecaster bass on stage, the bodies used on guitars by Bruce Springsteen and Keith Richards. They’re a rare sight nowadays but it was a slightly joyful thing to see something so rare. It just shows how loved these things are, at least by those with an affection for rare guitars who actually don't play one or simply, can’t. Lead singer Zach Thompson surely has his way for attracting the crowd with his dress-sense captivating the hazy days of the 60s with the fallen angel glam look akin to early Manic Street Preachers. Very captivating and expressive of the rebel spirit of Notts.

Following on the sedative tones of Pict were Swallowtail, who take things up a notch with sound and experimentation. My left earbud falls out and it's an unforgiving consequence to be whacked with such high volume in a confined space. The now Brighton-based quartet were eager to show off the fringe elements to their sound, with bows being played along guitar necks to amplify that solemn drone sound. It’s as if they’ve taken a leaf from the Jimmy Page handbook, but applied it to a shoegaze setting, something that Thurston Moore or Johnny Greenwood would be proud of. 

There is a slightly anthropomorphic element to Swallowtail (their name gives a huge clue) with their raw and kinetic sound perfectly depicting what I imagine is the rushing flight of swallows amongst the clouds flowing through birches. This rawness is matched with the highly reactive drums that attempt to thump the life out of the ride and crash cymbals. The flow of calm cool air rushes through when their set is done; time for a breather!

Marvin’s Revenge is right to thank us for our generosity when taking to the performance area. This means a great deal to them and we owe it to them for the effort in putting this event together and the drama of getting the funds for a transatlantic trip. The cheers from the crowd only amplify why it's critical to try and help bands in need. The three-piece have a new release of their live set at Saltbox which came out in January and this felt the time to put it up to the test in the sonic enclosure of JT Soar’s walls.

The atmosphere is electric and it soon becomes a hotbed of cavorting pogosticks and a mosh-pit that, to use a wrestling phrase, Irish whips you into each of the four corners of the room. As much as the set is enjoyable, I’m annoyed that I’ve taken into this pit when I didn’t volunteer but this is a no holds barred event - a case of anything goes. 

The raucous atmosphere slightly subdues itself giving me time to breathe and calm myself. I was worried at first for my own sake as my glasses were flung from my face and by some miracle I was able to retrieve them still intact. A big shout out to those who helped me and didn’t stand on them.

Marvin’s Revenge provides an intense, firm punch to remind people that you may get taken away by the music and the raucous velocity of their tempo is greater than anything witnessed from those right at the centre of the crowd. The pandemonium is layered with adoration for a group they are willing to help out whatever the cause may be.

Following on from the night before, it was revealed by the band that they had hit their £3,000 target for getting to New York for New Colossus. The band gave a massive shout of thanks throughout the day to those who contributed to the crowd fund and those who shared it far and wide on social media. It’s fantastic to see the results of spreading such awareness and seeing the band realise their aim from putting this gig on. It was a privilege to be a part of it. 

Marvin's Revenge performed at JT Soar on 15th February 2025.

@marvins_revenge