Bodixa @ LMUSU
By Dave Sugden
Come on guys! Where were you all tonight? Despite the abysmal weather, I can't believe than less than fifty people made the effort to get out to the Met Bar to see one of the UK's leading unsigned bands - and in their hometown gig as well! Those who stayed away missed Bodixa at their usual best and wasted the opportunity to see them before they become another band to be poached by the welcoming arms of the London hi-life and musical arena. Knocking on the doors of opportunity for a while now, Bodixa have already claimed national radio airplay across the UK with their debut single "Waiting For You", including many Radio "A" lists. With their latest single "A Different Story" hitting similar notes, tonight's gig was a homecoming for the band as part of their current University tour. Opening up the evening were Swift, last minute replacements for Rigsby, who were rumoured to have had to pull out of the entire tour through illness. The Swift set started tentatively, with vocalist Martin Haw struggling to get to grips with the venue's sound - along with technical problems hitting the guitar sound completely - in fact one guitar was unheard for two songs. Not downhearted by the feedback and the fact that the sound engineer disappeared for the majority of the set, the band recovered well and managed to pull things round. An improvement in the sound, and an overall confidence increase within the ranks coincided with their fourth track "Cash Machine". You could really begin to see what was on offer ... a nice blend of up-beat indie mixed with the odd touch of old Manchester rock. It's just the shame that the band were a little un-prepared for the gig, a true last minute call up. "You're My Love" went down well at the end before "Friend" closed the set off. A quick break and on came the Bodixa five, female fronted band featuring the attitude and banter of Anna alongside attractive "quiet" girl approach of Emily (tonight dressed in a glossy skirt over the top of some jeans, and some woolly socks - because "I'm cold"). Bodixa play a very intelligent array of melodies with some serious rock and roll, but never go over the edge by keeping the acoustic guitar at the forefront of each of their songs. Personal favourite on the night, "Insane" featured the Portishead styled music and vocals during the verses before crashing into the choruses with some serious energy much akin to an acoustic Veruca Salt. Often described as being the female version of REM, a comparison I've never yet been able to see, the band oozes song-writing qualities. Former single "Waiting For You" and "Rivers" are the usual mid-set tracks with "Pretty" closing up what was an exciting hour long set. To close then, firstly - Bodixa are a top band and cannot fail to attract anyone no matter what his or her musical tastes. Watch out for future hometown gigs in the New Year. And finally, small venues such as the Met Bar, The 'Well and the soon-to-close Strychnine Lounge are offering the best of the local scene so that you can get to see local bands close-up before they get the credit they deserve and move off. Support these venues, and you are not only supporting the bands that play there but you are also preserving the city's live music scene and the diversity on offer.
