School's Out For Summer Festival
Central Station Wrexham
July 22, 2013
As a seasoned concert/festival goer I can
honestly say that I have never attended a concert quite like this one before.
Wrexham Central Station is located in the
centre of Wrexham, and boasts to have hosted concerts for many well known
names. This weekend they were being host
to the Schools Out for Summer Festival which had a lineup of twenty one bands
across two stages.
When I entered the venue I was blown away
by the prettiness. The whole room
comprises of red brick walls and the stone floor is stepped ensuring a good view of the main stage. It has a high apex ceiling which provides
excellent acoustics and the main stage, which is built into the back wall, adds
even more character.
On arrival I searched for a running order
to see what time the bands I wanted to check out would be on, but I was unable
to find one so I asked a member of staff and was met with a blank look. Usually you can purchase a programme or at
least see printed running orders on venue walls, however this venue didn't
offer either.
I saw/heard most of the bands on the
programme today but unfortunately I was unable to identify who was who, due to
the lack of bands being introduced/not stating who they were or a lack of backdrops
showing the bands logos. Of all the
bands that played I only saw one band that used a backdrop to tell you who
they were, and that was Laguna Sunrise.
A few of the bands did tell you who they
were but with the exception of a couple they were not always audible. So the only bands I actually recognised (because
I've seen them before) were the Fearless Vampire Killers, The Yashin and
Glamour of the Kill.
While I am still focusing on the negative
aspects of the show I feel I need to comment on the stages and sound checks.
The stages were timed so that no bands actually clashed which is a positive as
I often find I miss bands because of clashes, so they had a band playing on one
stage while the next band set up on the other stage which was a great idea,
until they decided to do the sound check which bled over into the music of the
performing band. As it was an L shaped
room both stages were in close proximity to each other and it would have worked much better had
there been a five or ten minute break between sets to run sound check, as it
not only spoilt the performance for the audience but it was also disrespectful
to the performing band.
The day wasn't all negative though, I saw
some brilliant bands (Unfortunately I can't write about them though as I don't
know who they were).
One of the stand out bands for me was
Glamour of the Kill, a quartet from York.
I saw part of their Download set and have been wanting to check them out
ever since. They did not
disappoint! They filled their
thirty minute set with full on rock. They even finished their set with my favourite
of their songs 'Feeling Alive' (check them out on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orTKy0FwoGQ
). This is a band I would not hesitate
to go and see again.
The other two bands that stood out for me
where the Yashin and Fearless Vampire Killers, both of which I have seen before
on numerous occasions.
The Yashin never fail to impress me and
always look as though they enjoy every second that they are on stage. I was also lucky enough to meet Harry, Kevin
and Connor during the course of the day and they were really lovely guys. If you have never heard of them check them
out here http://www.youtube.com/user/yashinmusic
My favourite set of the whole day had to be
Fearless Vampire Killers. Like the
Yashin I have seen and met these guys on numerous occasions and I have never
been disappointed. If you like your rock
with a little more Goth then these are the guys to see.
Fearless Vampire Killers throw their heart
and soul into every performance they do, filling the set with energy, enthusiasm,
catchy choruses and killer riffs.... Oh
and the odd bit of eyeliner and talc!
Today was no different. Singing songs such as 'Handlung', 'Bite Down On
My Winchester', 'Could We Burn Darling' and 'At War With the Thirst'.
Kier and
Laurence share the front man duties each bringing their own character and qualities
to their songs.
One thing is guaranteed they will give you
one hell of a show! (check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfldw83alCY&list=TL17HyTnQXr-w
)
All in all I had a good day at the Schools
out festival and if they were to make a few changes to the set up (such as
sound checks in breaks and a printed running order) I would happily go again.
If you visited this venue for a show where
all of the band s perform on the stage area rather than being split across two
areas I think this will be a fantastic venue.
I may have to see another gig here just to check it out under
non-festival conditions.
