Gig Report: Hoosiers

Date: Thursday 28 February, 2008, 9.45pm
Venue: Academy 1
Face value: a tenner? can't remember, not much though
Support Act: The Script
Gig buddy: Phil

I can't remember why or when I bought these tickets - I suspect it was in a frenzy of ticket buying at the end of last year (remember Rock-tober!?). Knowing little about the band, this is somewhat foolish, though I was partial to the radio-popular singles 'Goodbye Mr A' and 'Worried About Ray' so I was confident that I'd be happy for at least 7 minutes of the show. Sadly we were fairly tired on Thursday and opted to miss the support act (sorry) though the crowd cheering as we entered (for them obviously, not us) tells me that they were a hit.

The set before us has a backdrop of large 60's wallpaper print and there are 3 massive lampshades over the stage area. Interesting. Stage right is a closet that opens and the band appears and take the stage. Intermittantly throughout the show, 2 guys dressed in skeleton suits emerge from and retreat to this closet who provide backing vocals. Strange. In fact, most of the band are in fancy dress and quite a few audience members as well - apparently this is a Hoosiers thing - to go in fancy dress to the gigs. All good fun, if not a bit bizarre.

What's weirdest about this act is that NME have voted them as Worst Band of the Year, which the guys make no bones about. In fact they wear it as a badge of honour, even if sarcastically. The weirdest thing about this is that they are in fact, really good. The vocals were flawless and intriguing, songs all well composed and delivered without fault. They worked the crowd really well and the fans are crazy about them. So I fail to see why they are the worst band of the year. I can think of far more worthier recipients...

Anyway, if you get the chance and have a tenner free, catch them.

Rating: 4 superheros