Gig Review - Iris & The Wolves and Glavion

Iris and the Wolves & Glavion
Bar Blue, Eastbourne
Thursday, 30th November


A packed house at Bar Blue witnessed sets from two of Eastbourne’s most promising bands. Iris and the Wolves opened up proceedings, the combination of Iris on keyboard and Dan on guitar and singing duties.

The latter’s voice is the main draw for this duo, booming with a commanding character that dominates the room. Opening acapella, she demonstrates range and gracefulness that demand attention.

However, too many in the bar miss out on this, as the band struggle to win over a chatty crowd. Introducing Stolen Kiss, Iris lies “This one is about kinky sex!” as she fights to tame the talkers. They create a subtle sound which carries an endearing gentleness to it.

Singing the line “You play me like a movie, you see right through me,” it is clear this is a band that needs to be watched like a film – if you don’t listen intently you can miss the plot and the set can drift past. Like all great films, they may just get better with every repeat viewing.

When Glavion take to the stage they waste no time raising the tempo with their angular-edged electronica. Looking Glass fuses bouncy keyboard with jagged guitar, constructing a texturised feel to the song.

Frozen is more expansive, the power of the synths filling the venue and grabbing attention upstairs and down. Bar Blue may be small in size, but an intimacy is easy to achieve because of this.

The four-piece band never fully capitalise on this, maintaining an element of mystery that is alluring yet stops the seated crowd feeling involved. Fine is as its title suggests - there is nothing to dislike but it doesn’t excite. Suze’s vocals whirl around but fail to govern the weighty sound of her band, blending in rather than leading.

My Life is the set’s standout track, stomping along like a James Bond theme tune to a pulsating bass line. Glavion certainly entertain, with guitarist Mike’s Graham Coxon-esque style of playing and dressing a highlight.
They have developed an individual sound to be commended, yet somehow fail to sound different. Nevertheless, they cap off a night of free music in Eastbourne that showcases the talent in the area and whets the appetite for the future.

Greg Rose