Rock Regeneration

Apr01

October Drift/The Youth Play/Coast

on April 1st, 2025 at 19:15

The Joiners Arms, Southampton

As we head into the warmer seasons it’s time for Somerset’s finest October Drift to begin their Spring UK and Ireland Tour. The now familiar Joiners Arms leg of the tour is the first date and a near sell out crowd awaits the boys as they blow off any cobwebs that might be lingering. Support tonight comes in the shape of local up and coming band and one with members from afar.

First up are Pompey boys Coast (not to be confused with the mid-90’s Indie quartet from Aberdeen) – these guys are noticeably younger. They set out their stall early doors with opener “Her” blurring the lines somewhat between Indie and Shoegaze with bludgeoning riffs and precise percussion. They have that wonderful mix of youthful energy and almost shy stagecraft, whereupon they open up latterly. “117” follows as they grow into their set. There’s many an influence to my near 60 year old ears, notably the likes of MC4 and our headliners tonight. Forthcoming single “This Time” is debuted tonight to great effect. The singer has that uncanny knack of looking slightly nervous while delivering layered vocals with ease, while the lead guitarist slips into The Edge (U2) mode with his own take on the riff from “Where The Streets Have No Name”, making a more than decent fist of it.

Coast 1–2

Penultimate number “Friday” sees them grow in confidence as they move about the stage more during (for me) their set highlight, before they engage us with an invitation to their forthcoming Headline Show at Heartbreakers (Southampton) in June. They depart us with the rather wonderful “Feel Surreal”, which for this reviewer ticks every box – strong heartfelt vocals, meaningful lyrics and instrumentation to match. They take the plaudits and exit stage right to long, loud applause – they are definitely one to watch.

Up next are The Youth Play who contain a Bournemouth-based drummer which immediately peeks my interest, especially with fellow percussionist and Father looking on! They begin with an instrumental opener, all heads down brooding guitars amid squally fretwork – these guys are here to make a statement. They literally blow us away with “Maybe This Was All For Us” with its heavy Dream/Nu-Gaze leanings. The vocalist has more than a passing resemblance to one Rob Dickinson (Catherine Wheel) but their main influence seems to be deeply rooted in Shoegaze (with a smattering of Post/Mardcore) musically.

The Youth Play 1–2–3–4–5–6

“A Fair Life” takes the tempo down a few decibels but the almost whispered vocals are sadly lost in the mix. “Straight Line” stays in the same vein, but without the setlist one would struggle to decipher the song titles. “Last Day on Earth” has echoes of Post/Rock underachievers Colour of Fire who once graced this very stage, but if I’m being brutally honest The Youth Play are suffering from an identity crisis – there’s lots of Genre crossing going on here.

They do however excite me one more time with set highlight “After A Moment” which returns to their bludgeoning Shoegaze entry with heavy percussive intricacies aplenty and huge snare pounding. They do the big sell then leave us on final number “If We Just Ever Were” and again garner great applause.

And so to our headliners. It has been at least a year since we last witnessed the Drift in this very room. I thought then that this might be their moment, but sometimes in life you gotta be prepared for the long haul. Tonight’s show sees a near sold out room of expectant fans, hoping to see a band in full flow on the back of some very successful touring engagements on the continent. So, first night of the tour? Nerves? Ring rust? No chance!

The band announce themselves loudly, going for the jugular early doors with “Waltzer”. Tonight this Southampton crowd bring it, dancing almost from the outset. “Just Got Caught” keeps momentum high while “Hollow” sounds as dark and brooding as always. Kiran’s vocals are clear and audible from the outset but there’s a confidence in his delivery tonight which reflects a band at the top of their game. “Nothing Makes Me Feel…” continues a four song foray into recent release “Blame The Young” and looking around me, most in the room seem to be singing every word in unison (I need to catch up)!! “Blame The Young” is impeccably observed while “Everybody Breaks” takes the tempo right down. Heads nod, body’s move as we take a mid-set breather.

The customary foray into the crowd sees Kiran join us for “Bleed”. Ably assisted by tech and crowd alike he ventures as far as the mic lead allows, it’s the first of many euphoric singalongs. Following that is early set highlight “Insects” which sees the first signs of a mosh pit. Alex (bass), not to be outdone is flailing around to Kiran’s left while Dan (guitar) has a fixed gaze throughout as he trains his sights on this now energetic crowd. And let’s not forget Chris (drums) in the engine room, holding a regular heavy beat.

October Drift 1–2–3–4

It’s at this point they really elevate the set as this crowd gets more involved. “Airborne Panic Attack” is mesmerising as the band seem to go up a gear. Kiran encourages a crowd parting before the obligatory slam and the pit continues once more. “Cherry Red” is quite simply euphoric tonight as more punters move to the pit area. Dan decides it’s his turn to take the limelight as he joins the crowd, shredding the strings with wild abandon and nodding furiously where he remains for the duration of the song.

“Don’t Care” with its shimmering guitars and flabby bass keeps momentum high as Kiran reaches to the depth of his lungs for the chorus. Respite is then taken during “Wallflower” which is simply wonderful – silence is observed in the room before the chorus singalong. No Drift gig would be complete without “Oh The Silence” and tonight doesn’t disappoint. For the final song Kiran makes one last foray into the crowd with guitar and mic stand as he dedicates “Not Running Anymore” to his late Grandmother.

To quote the man himself “this song is about Togetherness and Solidarity – Unity and Love, she stood for all of those things” which was so heartfelt. He delivers the song “in the round” with a passion and intensity that once more is impeccably observed, before the song explodes and the crowd embrace the moment. And lastly, a big shout out to the lady down the front with the fan – you kept us entertained!

All in all this was a statement show from a band who are quite simply in the moment. And while I am loathe to make wild predictions, the shows and crowds appear to be getting bigger as October Drift finally seem to be heading in an upward trajectory. Tonight was one of those gigs where you just had to be there!

Set Lists
October Drift
Waltzer
Demons
Just Got Caught
Hollow
Nothing Makes Me Feel (The Way You Do)
Blame the Young
Everybody Breaks
Bleed
Insects
Airborne Panic Attack
Cherry Red
Don’t Care
Wallflower
Oh the Silence
Not Running Anymore

The Youth Play
Intro
Maybe This Was All For Us
A Fair Life
Straight Line
Last Day On Earth
One Day This Shadow Won’t Be cast
After a Moment
If We Just Ever Were

Coast
Her
117
Blue Plastic Chairs
For the Kiss
This Time
Friday
Feel Surreal

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