The Feeling und The Twang

The Feeling were amongst the leaders of the indie pop movement of the mid-2000s. Their soft rock tunes hence instantly transport many, like me, in their early twenties, back to their teenage years. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that they were touring again. My friends and I immediately booked tickets to see them in Liverpool.
The night kicked off with ‘Blue Murder’, a single from their latest album, ‘Boy Cried Wolf.’ On a darkened stage, illuminated by a single spot light, lead-singer Dan Gillespie-Sells generated hush amongst the previously screaming audience. And then the lights flashed on, the rest of the band appeared, and the guitars and drums jumped into life. Despite having faded slightly from the public glare, The Feeling clearly still enjoy considerable popularity, with crowd members singing along to their latest release.
But the audience really came to life with the next song. The crowd jumped and screamed as the familiar intro to ‘Fill My Little World’ echoed around the room. Soon everyone was singing along to the soft-rock tune and I got that teen-nostalgia trip I’d been searching for. A similar effect was achieved later in the show when The Feeling played their earliest hit. Possibly one of the most sickening (but obviously secretly loved by many) chart tunes ever, ‘People in Love’ often proves divisive. Not here though. The Feeling performed with such enthusiasm that even the greatest sceptics, dragged along by their less world-weary friends, threw themselves into singing along.
While it’s fair to say that I most enjoyed the romp through the indie pop classics of my teenage years, the Feeling also didn’t disappoint fans wishing to hear their new releases.

Being a Brummie born and bred myself, you could say my love for The Twang is a little biased. Since their 2007 debut, ‘Love It When I feel Like This’ their steady indie anthems and that loveably Brummie “twang” to the lyrical content and vocal deliverance have been the soundtrack to many Birmingham town centre nights out, especially at local indie haunt, SNOBS. Favourite tracks from the album are “Wide Awake,” “Two Lovers” and “Either Way,” all odes of some sort to failed or failing relationships, but the songs still retain some elements of hope and sweetness. The lyrics may be realistic and colloquial, but it’s the harmonies and guitar melodies that lift the tone of the dismal tales of bittersweet romance told on this album. I managed to finally see The Twang live in May 2013 at the O2 Academy Bristol after five years of listening to their recorded tracks. It must be said, I was a little sad I wasn’t seeing them in my hometown but the crowd of loyal fans sang along to every lyric nonetheless, and all six members managed to fill the venue with their special brand of West Midlands indie rock. Of course, “Either Way” was stand out moment of the night but they played a range of songs from their debut and their two other studio albums, ‘Jewellery Quarter’ and ’10:20.’ These albums didn’t quite grab me as much as their first, (perhaps due to a lack of emotional ballads?) and didn’t receive all that much critical praise, but at least they show the band’s dedication to working hard and getting their music out there! If you like you’re honest indie anthems, I would highly recommend catching The Twang live.

These guys are anything but ordinary! From the start of their career, through their hiatus, and continuing now after their reformation with new members and new material, I have followed The Ordinary Boys loyally.
When I finally got the chance to see them perform, they were talking about their 'goodbye tour' and speaking as if it was a finale, but their performance was one that should have opened a world tour - absolutely breathtaking. The enthusiasm of the playing made the gripping riffs even more enticing and had every fan screaming along to the music. The singing, dancing, playing, was all electric. The performance didn't dip in energy or conviction for the entire set.
The boys are well known for drinking with their fans before or after shows, and after their academy performance it was absolutely incredible that the stuck around to mingle and chat with everyone. It reinstalled the thoughts that they are genuine down to earth guys, grateful of their success and fans. I'd love to go back and see them again, but I just don't know if anything could top that night!