New Model Army, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Spear of Destiny, and The Bar Stool Preachers

I don’t think there is anything I can say that will do New Model Army the kind justice they deserve but here goes. The post-punk/alternative band formed way back in 1980 by Justin Sullivan the singer and composer as well as bassist Stuart Morrow and drummer Phil Tompkins. Interestingly New Model Army derive their name from Oliver Cromwell’s English Revolutionary Army.

The wonderful charisma of Justin on stage and the warm and comforting northern accent he uses, he seems to build a rapport and a trust with the audience immediately, like we’re all in on something big, like on the verge of revolution. And his lyrics and views are as socially conscious as any, the band was refused entry in to the U.S. for apparently having no artistic merit, however their anti-U.S. imperialist views might have had something to do with it. But they sure stand up for what they believe, and songs like 51st State, which had everyone singing at the top of their lungs around has given the band a kind of cult status.

I could not wait to hear the song Vagabonds, yes it’s their most well known and arguably most popular but there’s a reason for that, it’s because its so unbelievably amazing, the violin makes me tingle every time in places I didn't know existed. I’d have loved to see them in their heyday but seeing them recently was still a awfully good decision.

A great performance let down a wee bit by a poorer set list. For me the two initial EP's need to be played in their entirety and if we're really lucky twice!!.8/10

Spear of Destiny is a band that became a part of the post punk scene with their edgy image. They were formed in the 80s by the lead singer, Kirk Brandon, who is the man responsible for penning their best-known single “Never Take Me Alive” which is a worthy opener of tonight’s show, inducing such a fantastic reaction from these punters here tonight. The angst is still there twenty five years on, but one of the things that has made this band transcend which is very well highlighted in this set tonight is the way that they manage to make the melodies on the guitars such a main component of their sound. Brandon discusses their career throughout the night and what they’re doing these days, talking about the making of a lot of their albums and the sort of trials and tribulations that they had to go through as a band to make everything work. They perform about 50% of the songs from their latest album “Omega Point” too which of course everyone in this vicinity owns, at least twice.

Hello folks,

this is proof of real professionalism! To play in front of such a small audience and deliver a really good show, as if there were thousands of them. Hats off! You could really see that you had fun with the band. Keep it up. Stay on the ground and close to the fans.
Thanks for the nice evening!

Greetings
Lydia TheNonTattooedLady
from Freiburg