Indie stalwarts, British Sea Power, ventured out for a few dates in the South which saw them take in our very own Wedgewood Rooms. The art rockers from Cumbria have also been playing sporadic gigs across the summer which makes me ponder whether we are in for some full new material soon, fingers crossed. British Sea Power appeared on the scene back in the early 2000’s, which is a period in music that I love for more than one reason, and which has seen the band gather quite a following.

In my old age I missed the support band this evening as I had a bit of a power nap that lasted a little bit too long, resulting in me having to rush out of the door to the Wedge. I’m lucky that I only live less than 5 mins away from the venue. British Sea Power entered the fray just after 9pm to a stage backdrop that is covered with plants creating an outside, inside, and if I remember rightly this is something the band have been doing for years. ‘Who’s in Control’ is one of the early songs played from the album ‘Valhalla Dancehall’ which is one my favourite British Sea Power albums. It was great experience to hear this tune so up close and personal at the front.

The set is a great mixture of the back catalogue with some new songs thrown in there to be road tested, with the sizeable crowd enjoying every moment. Brothers, Yan and Neil Wilkinson effortlessly switch over on vocal duties with Martin Noble providing the riffs, and Abi providing the delicate touch on the violin. During the set a mosh pit began, populated with middle aged men, this is something I wouldn’t have put my money on witnessing tonight! The security seemed to be at ease almost in the know this didn’t have the longevity to tip into something crazy! Yan must have gained inspiration from the mosh pit as he went for a little crowd surf himself!

British Sea power were everything I remember them to have been from when I saw them many years ago but now more of a well-polished machine. Hearing them play the crowd favourite ‘Remember Me’ along with ‘Carrion’ was a nice trip down memory lane back to 2003. I was also hoping to hear ‘Waving Flags’ and the band duly obliged. I had been told that I should keep my eyes peeled towards the end of the set for the infamous bear that sometimes appears at the bands gigs. Primed with my camera in hand, I was waiting with anticipation for the bear but tonight it seems that Portsmouth was not enough to wake him from hibernation.

Website: britishseapower.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/BSPofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/bspofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/british_sea_power
Spotify: British Sea Power
Apple Music: British Sea Power

Photos by Russ Leggatt
www.russleggatt.com