Cue Fanfare

Lilico's, Barnstaple

Review: Nigel Davis

HAVING been familiar with another Bristol band, Schnauser, led by lead guitarist Alan Strawbridge and featuring Holly McIntosh on bass, I ventured from South Molton to Barnstaple's Lilicos with some trepidation on a wet Monday night to see them in Cue Fanfare.

Fortunately the inclement conditions had not deterred the punters as the venue was crammed to the rafters.

They are fronted by singer and guitarist Rowena Dugdale with supporting harmony vocals from bass guitarist Holly McIntosh and the multi-talented Alan Strawbridge, this time behind the drum kit. Rob Williams, whose innovative guitar playing gave their home grown songs vitality and variety, completed the line-up.

They started with the melodic Rosa, following this with the first of their songs featured on last year's Ghost Ship EP, Monkey Puzzle, and then Yeah Yeah Yeah.

By the time that Beeline was performed, they had the assembled throng entranced. You can always tell a good band by the diminishing audience chatter.

The standout, The Moth, completed a full set before they were heartily returned to the stage for encore, Attack Attack. It was refreshing to hear such perfectly-formed pop songs full of lush harmonies performed to such a high standard.

To confirm their affirmation for Cue Fanfare, a healthy queue formed to purchase copies of Ghost Ship. Rob Williams confided they were in the process of recording their debut album which, on the basis of this evening's entertainment, is sure to garner further attention. If Schnauser's label, Pink Hedgehog, step in to sign them it would be fitting as they are renowned for releasing spine-tingling music.