Nottingham's very own Girlband performed to a sold-out Bodega on Friday night, with support from Jemma Johnson...
You might have heard the youth of today describe something as a ‘flex’. But what exactly are those bloody whippersnappers on about? Well, on Friday night at The Bodega, Girlband gave a perfect example.
You see, despite only officially releasing one song on their Bandcamp, the local indie-rock trio comprised of G, Jada and Kay sold out one of Nottingham’s most iconic venues with their headline show. Not only that, but they boasted a certain The Last of Us star (and music video cameo-maker) in the packed crowd. And to top it all off, they smashed every tune across an hour-and-a-bit of sonic bliss. Now, that’s a flex.
Sometimes, you flick on a tune, and within an instant you know you’re listening to something special. That happened to this reviewer when he popped on Girlband’s aforementioned debut track, Boys with Girls. And sometimes, you go to a gig, and by the end of the first track on the setlist, you know you’re witnessing something special. Wouldn’t you know it? That happened with Girlband’s performance here.
From the pounding drums to the experimental guitar riffs, the tangible connection with the crowd to G’s pitch-perfect vocals, the talented trio barely put a drumstick, pluck or key change wrong throughout a frenetic set, with their confidence only growing with each passing tune. If the crowd were slightly slow to get going, by the end there wasn’t a still body among them, with hands raised aloft and cheers ringing around the room.
As G dedicated one of the band’s songs to good old Mansfield, and the gang waved goodbye to familiar members of the audience as they left the stage, this felt like a proper homecoming for a group that can only grow in popularity, stature and, hopefully, presence on Spotify after their recent tour.
Looking forward, Girlband will soon go on to support Jake Bugg on his trips to Lincoln, Norwich and Poole. You wouldn’t bet against them reaching the same heights as our Clifton lad in the future.
Girlband and Jemma Johnson performed at The Bodega on 29 September 2023
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