Anvil, Bournemouth
Tonight; one of the best Indie bands to come out of Bournemouth in recent years “Wave Chase” was to play their biggest-ever gig at the O2 Academy in their hometown, supporting Glastonbury rockers “Reef”. Sadly their dreams were dashed when it was announced that Reef bass maestro Jack Bessant suffered a serious head injury and was hospitalised from an accident this week. Reef announced that they would look to reschedule as soon as possible when Jack is on the mend. Local promotors “We Broke Free” were quick to step in and announce an alternative gig for Wave Chase at the smaller Anvil in Holdenhurst Road in Bournemouth. At just £2 entry or a generous free for all Reef ticket holders, it is well worth making the effort to see this intimate show. This is a venue that has been very kind to Wave Chase over the years, with the many performances here reaching well over double figures.
The evening kicks off with Joe Grange of the local indie Band “Cherry Lotus” performing a DJ set with his fine selection of tunes. This is after last week Joe’s band welcomed Wave Chase frontman George to join them on stage for a number at the We Broke Free 10th Birthday Party at Sixty Million Postcards. Joe’s well-thought-out set got much of the crowd up dancing and singing along, warming things up nicely for the night ahead.
At around 9:15 pm George Kingman on Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Mickey Golicher on Lead Guitar, Tim Baldwin on Bass Guitar, Charlie Cane on Drums and Sam Ruthen on Synths/Guitar take to the stage to a huge hometown welcome from this packed basement venue. Kicking off with their recent single “Second Time” the band show their Indie/Pop leanings with this well-constructed track that the crowd all seem to know and love. The five-piece played their first gig back in 2018 and have come on a long way since after releasing a string oF quality singles and performing at a host of great venues across Dorset, Hampshire, and Sussex and their debut London show in May last Year.
Tonight the band announce that they have been working on their debut EP with a working title of “Second Best” for release later this year. Some of the tracks including their new singles “Tired Eyes”, “Cool” and “Why” get performed for the first time. The band show that their creative juices are still flowing freely with some impressive infectious guitar melodies; along with the recent addition of Sam on keys, with some thought-provoking songwriting. The songs have the ability to get right under your skin with many of the older tracks getting the full crowd sing-a-long to the chorus treatment.
Wave Chase confided in us that they have been booked to perform at a wedding in a couple of weeks and they have been rehearsing some cover versions to perform there. George asks do we all want to hear one of them, the answer is a resounding “yes” from the crowd. The band deliver a fine version of the Katy Perry track “Teenage Dream” and they were reliably helped along with the words by their ever-faithful audience.
At the O2 Academy gig the band were only going to be allowed a 30-minute set and tonight they have been allowed to stretch their legs with an extended set full of highlights. They are comfortable on stage and have an air of confidence and chemistry that radiates throughout their set. They try to leave the small stage and huddle together in the small storage cupboard at the side. The crowd start demanding an encore and despite drummer Charlie being desperate for a wee; the band return and bring one of their older tracks “Fangs” out of retirement, much to the delight of the crowd. This brings this fine evening of local music to a close and hopefully, at some point in the future, the O2 Academy gig will happen, as these guys are more than ready to take their music to a larger stage.
Set-List
Second Time
Can’t You See
Walk the Walk
Feet Don’t Follow
Cool
Tired Eyes
So Much to Do, So Little Time
Call Me Selfish
Right Side
Why?
Fed Up
Teenage Dream (Katy Perry)
Ticket To Ride (The Beatles) /Talk Tonight
You Got Me All Wrong
Sit By the Sea
Fangs
Videos
Link
https://www.facebook.com/wavechaseband
Words & Media by David Chinery
