Intrepid Inspiration

Neil Jones on The Little Ones at Cardiff Coal Exchange

17th May, 2007

Wow, what a band! It was a last minute rush down to Cardiff's Coal Exchange tinged with the fear of being assaulted by sponsored rock, but a beatific and extraordinary Pop performance won this night of the NME New Rock tour.

Blood Red Shoes have a great song in ‘You Bring Me Down’, and tonight it shimmers high above their generic noisenik rock, the rest of their songs paling in comparison. Drummer/co-vocalist Steven seems to be a wilful indie incarnation of Chris Moyles with his between song banter, and as his partner Laura turns into an Allison Wolfe-esque riot grrrl hero in the very last minute of the very last song (why not earlier??) I'm left to think she needs to saddle him up and shoot the gun.

The Little Ones take the stage to a smattering of grins. A look at their pre-arranged blog on the NME website (they've devoted a page for each band to present their daily ramblings as the tour goes through the country) had already highlighted a stark contrast with their touring pals. Humble and polite, it spoke with a Pop virtue that will always stand them in good stead.

I only know the two glorious tracks on their ‘Oh MJ’ single, but the other songs tonight jump with the same intrepid inspiration, drummer Gregory hunched behind guitarist Ian as he gives extra percussion on a fragile contraption in front of him (think a hymn-book stand being made to sound like aeroplanes crashing), keyboardist/bassist Lee, singer Edward and bassist/keyboardist Brian. Their wondrous rhythms, star-striking melodies and wistful lyrical shapes put the whole NME ethos to shame, and as ‘Oh MJ’ flies to the stars on the back of glowing doves' wings it's only the shivers down my spine that stop me falling over.

How The Little Ones ended up on this tour is a mystery to ponder in future days (rather you than me), but as the dancing cluster of the Uncoolest kids in Cardiff eagerly rush side-stage to meet their heroes, it's time to go. Hopping over the tour posters and shying from the copious ads (including one projected onto the ceiling – don’t look!) I'm inebriated with sheer Pop magic. Surely it wasn't meant to be like this?

© 2007 Neil Jones

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