MO’LIVE LAUNCH NIGHT @ The Mo’Club Southampton, 22/01/2010

A roller disco club may seem like a strange place to see a line-up of some of Southampton’s most promising alternative acts, but that’s exactly where the newest music venue in the city is located. Hoping to plug the gap between the sweaty pubs and clubs, and the larger venues such as the Guildhall, the Mo’Club is just the right size and in a perfect location situated close to the train station and bus routes. The sound in the venue is excellent, although lacks in volume a bit towards the back but as the bar is situated there it makes it easier to order drinks.
Burn The Fleet play a brand of rock similar to Fall Of Troy, with melodic passages giving way to some more metallic sounding moments. They warm up the crowd nicely, although they seem to lack a bit in the stage presence department. This can be forgiven though, as it must be quite a jump from playing on tiny stages in clubs. Their musicianship live is excellent however, and their last song has the crowd singing the final refrain and cheering for more.
Having recently released their album “Live, Love, Let Go”, Our Time Down Here are on top form and full of energy tonight. Lead singer Will Gould making full use of the stage, and even taking to the crowd during several of their songs to the delight of the front rows. Their sounds reminiscent of a more hardcore New Found Glory, they rip through their songs in no time and even throw in a cover of Saves The Day’s “At Your Funeral”. Already popular in their hometown, let’s hope they can convert the rest of the UK with their great live show.
The first of the co-headliners are up next, Not Advised, who get the crowd really moving with their pop punk sound. While not necessarily carving a new niche, they don’t really have any need to as their songs lodge themselves in your cranium just as soon as they’re over. They probably should’ve left the legacy of Michael Jackson alone though, as their cover of “Man in the Mirror” could never reach the heights of the original.
Tonight’s headliners, Bury Tomorrow, are easily the heaviest band on the bill tonight. Playing a hometown show on the eve of an American tour with Attack Attack! (the US metalcore band, easily confused with the other Attack! Attack! from Wales) they are pumped up and prepared to lay waste to the fresh new venue. Similar in sound to major metalcore bands such as Killswitch Engage, incorporating soaring background vocals coupled with more harsh growls and vicious breakdowns. Even a broken bass string can’t derail their performance tonight, their bassist ditching the instrument and taking part in some crowd surfing instead.
On the evidence of tonight’s show the new venue could easily play a major part in Southampton’s music scene over the coming years. Hopefully word will get around about the new venue and bands will begin to include it in their touring schedule. Although with the calibre of bands on display in Southampton right now, it might not be needed.

Many thanks to Josh Beedle for the photo you see above!