Music > Live Reviews
Hope & Social
The Portland Arms
03/02/17
I have done well over a thousand miles watching this most truly amazingly talented and totally unique band in the past few years because I absolutely adore them.
Each and every mile travelled to date has more than been worthwhile and during the journey so far I have recruited many friends and work colleagues that are spread far and wide across the country to either buy some of their music or to go along to a Hope & Social gig (it normally ends up with them doing both) and more recently I recruited someone in passing conversation at a Courteeners gig, as you do!
So far none of them have been disappointed upon checking them out for themselves and my most recent recruit at tonight’s gig (the bloke from the Courteeners gig) at the freezing cold Portland Arms said that he felt ‘quite elated, it really was something else’. I even got a man-hug and a pint as a reward.
So what makes Hope & Social unique? Well apart from playing gigs in random places, having a recording studio in the crypt of a church, selling their music for ‘pay what you want’, they always somehow manage to get everyone onside, early doors when they play live by just playing great music. Oh, and they always wear blue blazers on stage. There’s more…..
Some eight albums in now, tonight doesn’t just showcase new album Feel, they delight the packed two hundred capacity venue by playing a magical and varied set list from their already exhaustive catalogue. The new tracks come over really well particularly South Facing.They are quite possibly the biggest sized band to ever play on the tight Portland Arms stage? As the eight piece band, complete with horn section climb onboard, it’s like watching Bernard Manning trying to squeeze into some drainpipe jeans!
There are some hard core followers in the compact crowd and right from the off the members of the audience that are maybe seeing them for the first time are as per usual instantly in the zone such is their connection with their public. The venue is bubbling over with excitement. Every great gig has a highlight and tonight it’s Ripple Rock My Boat that really hits the spot this evening and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, as indeed does Looking For Answers with lead singer Simon Wainwright doing a beautiful vocal solo complete with acoustic guitar in hand, he has the audience in the palm of his hand just now as they accompany him on backing vocals, it’s just a gorgeous moment. Wow!
That they are still rather bizarrely unrecognised by the masses is in itself a crime, for they deserve a much bigger audience. For now they remain a best kept secret so meanwhile those of us in the know will enjoy these special intimate moments, I remember feeling the same way about Elbow for many years! This band are the masters of great musical gigs and events. Have a listen and if you like them, say the word, share the vibe, even the music and spread the love. Just go and check them out as it’s got to be better than missing out and hopefully sometime soon they will be Marching On Through my neighbourhood (Norwich).
Tonight, rather sadly after almost two hours there is only One Way Home, but when you feel this good after a night out who really cares? It has as ever been a very memorable evening, full of love, smiles, laughter, banter, great musicianship and the normal chaos that ensues at a Hope and Social gig. I mean, how many gigs have you been to recently, where you end up doing a conga towards the end of the evening? Still making great music and bringing happiness wherever they go. It’s an almost spiritual occasion. Hope & Social have more soul than a James Brown concert.
Photos by Zulfiya Wilde