Live Review: The Matches, The Owls

The Owls, an indie band from Newcastle, are probably sick of the Kasabian comparisons, but seriously, frontman Joshua Bailey is heavily indebted to Tom Meighan, except he kinda looks like Craig Roberts from Submarine from far away. He's wearing a parka tonight and shaking that tambourine and we reckon he could be the next great indie frontman. It helps that his band and their '00s-style indie-rock are tight as heck, a fun way to ease us into the evening. There's a new track with an excellent guitar solo breakdown going on that's an absolute ripper. Buy their albums, have fun, everything is going to be just fine.

It's ten years since The Matches released Decomposer, so they've come out for a little anniversary sojourn. The largely older skewed crowd (mainly men and women in their 30s) don't manage to fill out the room, but they do manage to have a safe good time. There's no real antics in the crowd, just a lot of polite head nodding and shouting along, with a few outliers at the front doing their best to jump this up to the next level.

The Matches play the album through and in order - fair enough, Salty Eyes is the perfect kick off, Papercut Skin deserves the singalong, Shawn Harris falling into the crowd while still strumming his guitar, Little Maggots is a lot of fun. Harris is dressed like a pirate at a formal, scraggly hair hanging over his face, vest, split sleeves; while lead guitarist Jonathan Devoto has a funky powder blue suit. He jumps around and has the most engaging stage manner - it's incredible to watch someone with that energy at the tail-end of a national tour. The second half of the album is simply weaker, so of course so is the set, but that doesn't lessen any spirits. Banter comes thick and fast, and is overwhelmingly cheerful; they're a band that inspires the utmost devotion, and they're devoted to the fans in turn. For moody album closer The Barber's Unhappiness, Harris starts a wave, finishing the set with his guitar held up high, even as he reaches his other arm into the crowd.

Our encore is our greatest hits set, starting with a manic interpretation of The Jack Slap Cheer. Devoto says we make him all tingly, while Harris warns "If you don't wanna get hurt move." He's dumped the guitar in favour of a mic so that he can periodically crowdsurf while he's singing. Then he's got the guitar strapped on again for Dog-Eared Page, the bouncing good times of Yankee In A Chip Shop, which involves Harris conducting the audience, Audio Blood and Life Of A Match.

We round out the night with Sick Little Suicide, Devoto helping crowd members up onto the stage. He gives one guy his guitar and lets him play while he shares his mic with anyone who wants it. Meanwhile Harris has plunged into the crowd on foot this time, marching around and encouraging everyone to strut their vocal stuff. Lights go up and it's hugs all around from Shawn Harris and co, who seem truly thankful to the crowd for making it out this chilly Sunday night.