Live Review: Stonefield, The Delta Rigs

The family affair that is a Stonefield gig is quickly established when Mrs Findlay, mum of the sisters who make up this evening's headline band, happily answers questions from her position beside the merch desk. Onstage a member of The Delta Riggs models a Purple Rain t-shirt that looks authentic. Opener “only feels right if we need to stop” is a fitting modus operandi. Their new song sounds like they discovered Tame Impala's mysterious tuning, it borrows from the Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind? riff. Pointing out a dude in the crowd who models a floral bodyshirt to complement manky, long flaxon locks and beard, charismatic frontman Elliott Hammond praises, “Honourable mention to this guy. I don't know how he didn't end up in the band.” There are definitely moments when they all surrender to the mighty gods of rock'n'roll and show glimpses of their potential (Ride is unreal). But, having bookmarked The Delta Riggs as 'band to watch', it's frustrating that thanks to arrogant, non-inclusive banter they come across as a bunch of talented dickheads tonight. As if constantly bagging the town you're playing in and the crowd's lack of response is a way to win fans.

Warm red wash. Smoke. Cue Stonefield. Playing a brand new song two songs in is a brave move, but it's a good'un. Phew. It's all long skinny legs and hair to match onstage and tonight's audience is very mixed, age-wise. Jesse Hughes said Stonefield showed him up at Cherry Rock 2011 and the young sibling band have made a lot of headway since then. Bassist/youngest member Holly Findlay stands centre stage and her instrument sits high up in the mix. Move Out Of My Shadow contains extremely complex key and tempo changes. Guitarist Hannah is all over that axe. You wouldn't think that such an understated style would produce such mind-blowing noise.

Magic Carpet Ride was a superb choice for their Like A Version and sounds sensational live. Stonefield would be even more amazing if the girls switched vocals occasionally. Although, when an alternate drummer called Emily is introduced toward set's end this added interest is a masterstroke. When Emily takes care of drums on Drowning (Holly's prepubescent squeal is still on call for this song), Amy transforms into a commanding frontlady without the security of her kit. The drummer/singer makes mention of the band's interactive video launch for Bad Reality and a punter yells out, “Holly's alive!” To which the bassist responds with that winning smile. One of the girls' water bottles falls over onstage and not much is spilt after a front row punter demonstrates fast reflexes. They close their main set with Clover plus loads of smoke. Stonefield's Whole Lotta Love encore showcases their chops, especially Hannah's shredding. Take away the fact that they're all sisters with the members aged between 14 and 22 years old and you've still got a killer band with a blindingly bright future.