Sally Pepper + The Prophets + Mouth Full Of Matches @ The Rainbow, 17th August 2016
I didn’t catch the opening bands name, which was a good thing as it was a fraught start to the night for them and the forgiving crowd. What was apparently their first acoustic was bedevilled with broken strings and head-liner Sally Pepper handed over her guitar to save the day as this is where their set peaked with a great recovery and a belter of a performance after the issues.
Next up were Manchester’s based A Mouth Full of Matches, not sure how they came up with the name or if it’s the sort of music you would be expecting though this was right up my street and an enjoyable performance.
We covered Coventry-based The Prophets at Godiva Festival recently where these guys rocked the tent. Tonight they were rocking the Courtyard. I came here thinking pop/punk? But I don’t like pop punk, do I? Well clearly I forgot some of the performance at Godiva including their, the first track a great opener Closest Thing. They sounded great and again it was clear that there is a lot to like with this band.
The band are heavily reliant upon Kate Thompson’s vocal, it has a uniqueness about it which makes almost everything performed seem compelling.
We have a great cover of Zedd’s dance track Stay The Night, again with awesome vocals and a great instrumentation.
Stoke-based Sally Pepper ended off the night with her energetic and catchy, solo acoustic show. Sally acknowledges that the crowd was here for The Prophets because “They’re Sick” but despite this she puts on a strong show of her own vocals and instrumental talents.
Overall this was a very good night. The crowd left in high spirits having had a good show of proper raw talent. I think each had their own style and each of them likeable with their own styles and genuine passion. For my personal favourites of the night – it was a close call The Prophets pop punk and the full on rock and metal from Mouth Full of Matches.
Words and photographs: Chris Bowley