DIY And Merc Live Take Over The Social With Sissy & The Blisters

It’s a sad day, when things you enjoy come to an end. Like Top Of The Pops. Or your teens. Last night, our lovely series of gigs at the Social, with those good folks at Merc, which we’d spent the last month enjoying no end, came to a sad sad close.

But before we can get all maudlin, there’s the small issue of a couple of awesome bands to rip up the Social.

Having literally had a matter of hours to prepare for tonight’s gig, our last minute replacement support act - the mighty Fractures - showed us exactly how they earned their place on this year’s ones to watch list. Having just opened for Razorlight on a few dates, they’re clearly getting used to rather larger stages, but still exude that gang mentality as they huddle together on the small Social stage. Sonically, they conjure up the charm of Britpop days of yore, and whilst there are definite shades of Suede and Bowie in those vocals, that’s not to say that these boys sound dated; they’re an exciting proposition, no doubt.

And so we come to our final band of the whole series, and it’s down to Sissy and the Blisters to get the Social dancing. And these boys, they really know how to get your feet tapping, with a rip roaring cover of ‘Here Comes Your Man’, which comes over like the cover version that the Strokes never thought of, but should’ve. Swirling organ fills the venue, and because it’s impossible to guess which one of them is going to step up to those keys next, it’s enthralling indeed. As they rip through the tracks from their not yet finished recording, never mind released, debut album, frontman James Geard earns his ‘enigmatic’ badge, as he rotates from sitting with his back to the audience, singing into that mic like his life depends on it, and pulling his jumper over his head, as though totally lost in the moment.

As the lights dim on the band, and Merc Live comes to an end, well now we’re allowed to get maudlin, right? It’s been a rip roaringly fun month, with such an eclectic mix of music that it’s impossible not to be sad that it’s over. So with that, we’ll say thanks to all those involved, the brilliant guys at Merc, The Social, the bands, and all those lucky competition winners who danced the nights away with us. See you next year!