I waited for The Subways with anticipation and nerves, I’d never heard them before and if they were bad how could I give them a bad review, I’d been chatting to the band who are all really nice for the last half an hour, then while they were getting ready I was being given the background of the band by their mum, who again was really great and clearly incredibly proud and supportive of her two teenage sons and ‘adopted’ daughter.
Luckily as soon as they started I realised that the problem of them disappointing was never going to be an option, they were fantastic. All 3 members oozed confidence especially lead singer Billy who has such stage presence and is surely a star in the making. Plenty of songs stood out as possible singles including '1am', 'Rock & Roll Queen' and 'I Think I’m in Love'.
They reminded me a little of The Vines but unlike them they live up to the hype that’s been surrounding them since their performance on The Other Stage at Glastonbury. I think these guys will be big and judging on tonight’s performance and the determination they expressed to me they definitely have the potential.
Ikara Colt had a hard act to follow and when they took to the stage it looked quite promising, but as soon as the lead singer opened his mouth it was clear he thought his band were far too good for the Barfly, and they clearly weren’t.
They did their thing, which didn’t really impress and singer Paul Resende seemed more bothered posing for fans camera phones than actually trying to perform. He then went on to bite the hand that feeds him by slagging off the Barfly for overcharging the punters, an entrance fee of £7, and to be honest maybe he was right I wouldn’t pay £7 to watch this. Vowing never to play at the venue again the band finished a couple of songs later, not before a failed attempt to rip down a Virgin Mobile backdrop at the back of the stage.
Review by Robert Bassett