OCTOBER DRIFT: SOUTHAMPTON, UK - 22.03.22
October Drift with support from Jetski Babylon
at The Joiners in Southampton, UK
photos by Phoebe Reeks, words by David Barter
October Drift returned to Southampton to the play the renowned venue, The Joiners on the debut date of their spring tour.
Kicking off the night were local band, Jetski Babylon who took on the uneasy task of warming a tentative crowd. With scheduled support act China Bears unfortunately having to pull out last minute due to illness, the quirky quintet took to the stage full of energy. Starting off their set emphatically with their single ‘Hollow’, they tried stoking a docile crowd ready for October Drift. Jetski Babylon blasted out several tracks, keeping the energy up, bouncing charisma between band members throughout the performance. Frontman Olly Tilt showcased some amazing dynamic ranges and difficult high notes, which gives this band a USP from the majority of their genre. They engaged well with the crowd, doing everything they could to hype them up for October Drift, and made honourable shout outs to the absent China Bears and the current humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. After an energetic performance, the stage was set for the headline act to take over.
October Drift started off their performance with ‘Airborne Panic Attack’, the first single to be released from their upcoming second studio album, I Don’t Belong Anywhere. It’s building intro and verses, catalyse the thrill of the breakout chorus and ignited the crowd into a joyous frenzy – with the band clearly displaying their excitement to be back on the road too.
Without a hesitation of breath, they revisited ‘Losing My Touch’ and ‘Cherry Red’ from their debut album Forever Whatever. The crowd soaked up every moment, head banging and chanting the lyrics back. Bassist, Alex Bipsham, drove the rhythm with his cool demeanour which gloomed from his own corner of the stage, asserting his integral part in the band. After a lively trio of in-your-face tracks, they gradually eased the pace with some of the more chilled and intimate tracks from the debut album ‘Just Got Caught’, ‘Don’t Give Me Hope’ and ‘Oh the Silence’ giving the band a chance for some respite before getting into the second half of the act.
Frontman, Kiran Roy gave lots of energy through the set, regularly joining the crowd to engage with them. The paradox between chaos and intimacy, both in tracks and performance, is a clever use of their setlist to leave the spectator wanting more. They then debuted another new track ‘Lost Without You’ before taking it all the way back to 2015 song ‘Lost’ which led to a harmonious exchange with the crowd, as if worshipping an idol.
The feel of the upcoming album demonstrates a shift in perspective and a matured song-writing ability. They feel grungier and more grounded in raw emotion which lends to a fresh and promising development from an already excellent band.
‘Cinnamon Girl’ is always a crowd pleaser and didn’t disappoint this time either, perfectly setting up for the newest single, ‘Insects’, an outstanding song to showcase Daniel Young’s, lead guitar technical prowess with tight riffs drawing you into his hypnotic presence. The song’s moody, harmonic groove is another prime example of how the band have evolved post-Covid.
As the quartet approached the end of their set, they transitioned into ‘Come and Find Me’ with a theatre-like interlude. Kiran made his way into the crowd, another part of his performance that seems to engage them with every second they play. Concluding the evening as a full group, previous title track ‘Forever Whatever’ sounded off a remarkable first date of tour, in what makes you feel as if they’re compelling you to return for all their future shows, which would be hard to resist.
As is customary, they closed with a stripped back duet from Kiran and drummer, Chris Holmes, armed with a tambourine showing off their vocal talent in a heart-warming embrace with the fans, who listened intently.
No October Drift gig is complete without noting their unusual animated and unique presence on stage, that only seeing them live would do justice. This band from Taunton are always an absolute joy to see and have started their tour outstandingly. If you have a chance to catch them playing a show, you will not be disappointed, and hopefully their success as performers will continue to grow and help them reach new heights as artists.
JETSKI BABYLON
OCTOBER DRIFT
