A quick glance at the current London gig guide shows that no matter how much we like to talk of recession and cut backs, the capital’s music scene is alive and well. Over the next few months, venues such as Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Apollo and the 02 Arena will welcome heavyweights Rihanna and Bryan Adams, will go back in time to celebrate Def Leppard and Duran Duran and will cash in on the ubiquitous local-girl made good, Adele Adkins. It’s a veritable treat for music lovers in the capital, offering an eclectic mix for those who can afford it.
However, as these celebrated artists play to sell-out crowds, elsewhere in London, local bands will play to much smaller crowds in far less celebrated surroundings. Bubbling beneath the surface of London’s mainstream music scene, away from the bright lights of the capital’s mega-venues and without the exposure of the nauseating X-Factor, thousands of artists and bands are writing, practicing and performing, patiently waiting for their break.
One band surely on the cusp of their first big break is London-based outfit, Snow Ghosts, an inspired but surprising collaboration between Throwing Snow and Augustus Ghost. Augustus Ghost’s lead singer, Hannah Cartwright, again takes the microphone and her haunting, achingly-beautiful voice mesmerises from the first note.
At first, it might seem strange to take Cartwright’s Irish folksy sound and mix it with the modern, electronic sounds of Throwing Snow. Yet, it is an experiment that clearly works. Her lyrics, dripping with imagery grab you at once and don’t let go until long after the music has finished.
They are currently working on new material, and have one EP available to buy, Lost at Sea, available from Blackacre records. However, this is a powerful debut and a reminder that while London still attracts the big names, you don’t always have to pay big money to hear world-class music.