If The Southgate is Devizes’ finest and most reliable pub music venue, it’s usually favoured by an adult crowd. Yet it’s without doubt that Nothing Rhymes With Orange is the most cherished Gen Z band in town. Having not played Devizes since summer, it was a certainty such a free gig would crash the age demographic of the trusty tavern down a notch or three, never a bad thing, though not a given they’d raise its roof, but, they did that too…
It’s been on the cards for a while. After a long-lost summer Sunday when the band popped in to witness how it’s done, by the expertise of Jon Amor Trio’s monthly residency. Now, being their first time huddled in the infamous alcove, they brought the most diverse entourage we’ve seen at the Gate, and with zest and a righteous sense of confidence, they provided a proficient, high energy show of their unique brand of indie-punk. The atmosphere was fire.
Ageism didn’t turn up, it chose to stay home, cuddling the sensationalised myth blankie of teenage hooliganism other local media will have you believe, for clickbait. The youngest were respectful of the elder regulars, behaved accordingly, the regulars welcomed the youngsters, and surprisingly, behaved too! If Haribo temporarily replaced cider, the Gate issued a statement prior that all under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult, meeting the delicate balance needed. It’s one thing providing a safe space for the fledgling generation to enjoy, and I salute landlords Deb and Dave for this, but another in this economic climate to insure a gig is profitable for a pub through takings at the bar.
Thus it made a most unusual evening at the Gate, one half as the matured yet lively and hospitable establishment it always is, the other town’s teenage fanbase, who wouldn’t usually frequent the place, dancing their socks off and hailing back the lyrics to the group in unison; the benchmark for any band in vogue.
There’s no mistaking the simple notion, Nothing Rhymes With Orange are at a peak right now, locally. How this widens geographically is down to their motivation and commitment, but I, for one, urge those outside our locality to check them out, as the sensation they’re attracting here is akin to Beatlemania. If their stage presence has flourished, their harmony and ability to execute intelligent and often witty narrative in the present, has always been an accomplishment and goal scorer from day dot.
They look like they really want to be there, that’s the ticket, as it reflects on the audience and reverberates equally to their wailing guitars. Frontman Elijah Eastonl is worshipped when he stands amidst the fans, it’s something to behold. The band play on, lead guitarist Fin Anderson-Farquhar covers the riff, splices vocals, bassist Sam Briggs layers it, enthusiastic drummer Lui Venables sets the pace, but more often than not, it’s their unison which compliments Elijah’s spontaneous spotlight moments.
The first half of this show fire-breathing their beloved originals, Monday, Chow for Now, Creatures, with an alternative downtempo take on Lidl Shoes, I felt a little experimentation was afoot, some crashing endings aliken to prog-rock rather than their archetypal punker base. Was this to appease the Southgate regulars or a new avenue for them, I’m unclear, but it was an interesting move.
After Butterflies, the second half was adroit covers heavy, ending with an encore of Manipulation, their most treasured original for audience participation. The boys are back in the studio soon, after having a brief break, and we look forward to hearing what they come out with, because last night at the Gate, they were positively buzzing, a real stocking filler!
Phase Rotate at the Southgate tonight, and leading up to brussel sprout day, Chrissy Chapman as One Trick Pony has a fundraiser on Friday 22nd, Marlborough’s blues aficionados Barrelhouse return on Saturday 23rd, and that’s always an unmissable one.
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