Live Review: Names – Old Blue Last, London

Getting noticed in the London music scene can be one daunting task but that doesn’t stop new faces from popping up and performing daily. Names are a band looking to propel themselves forward with new music and live performances and they have found themselves in London’s own Old Blue Last. Supported By Yellow Bellies and South Arcade, the night looked to be a huge chance for all three bands to make an impression on a new crowd. Here’s what went down.

Opening the night was Oxford’s own South Arcade. A high energy and charismatic band who bring their charm with their blend of Pop Punk music. Being the first band on a bill like this can always be worrying and unfortunately, the room was quite empty when the band came on. However, this didn’t deter them, and they put on one hell of a performance for those who had come down early to catch their set. Putting their heart into each song despite the turnout was truly impressive to watch and they had those in the room moving to what they were dishing out in no time. If you see these guys on a lineup near you, get down to see them!

Following them was Yellow Bellies, a more Indie rock-driven band that was more in line with the style of the headliners. The venue had started to fill and the band fed off the energy the crowd was giving them. A few fans in attendance were singing choruses back to the band which visibly pleased them. The set may have been short however it got the crowd all warmed up and ready for Names eventual headline set.

When getting ready for a headline set I think one of your worst fears is technical issues, and unfortunately for Names, their set was delayed due to some. Despite this, the band kept their heads high and managed to get everything sorted in a fairly reasonable manner. Their set was met with love and affection from those in attendance. Singing, dancing, and giving off good vibes was the order for the day and that was exactly what we got from this performance. Crisp vocals matched with enchanting melodies captivated everyone in the room and by the end of the night, you can see just how proud the fans were of the band and Names were visibly happy with what they had accomplished.

Nights like this are always a treat to witness as these bands could well be the future of our music scene. You always hear the stories of Iron Maiden at the Cart and Horses Pub and now they are one of the biggest names in metal music. Everyone has to start somewhere and who knows if one of these bands ends up being the next megastar of their genre.