CHOON

The Volt – Live @ Monto Water Rats, London

Adjacent to the backdrop of Kings Cross Station, London’s Water Rats is the kind of venue that oozes unsigned eccentricity and musical electricity. It is renowned for throwing up exhilarating and innovative visuals as well as unheard sounds, and prides itself as being the kind of venue where the ‘undiscovered’ can quickly become the ‘discovered’.

So the chance to catch Bath based blues-disco-rockers; The Volt, was something that I could not refuse. I won’t lie, although they may be little known outside of the South West, I was already a big fan of these guys prior to the gig. As a result, this review can really be nothing more than a recommendation, but a good recommendation nonetheless.

For sure the Volt know how to dance. They know how to punch. And they know how to rock. They manage to border that line that the Kings of Leon seem to have lost sight of. They use dance rhythms and drops, and play these off with a sustained pentatonic guitar wail, quick-fingered bass warmth and blues dowsed vocal. Their sweet melody, driving bass crescendo and full guitar sweep makes for nothing less than a true modern blues sound. It is exciting and satisfying; dynamic and beautiful.

The band definitely have a lot going for them. Their set is packed with strong tunes and catchy hooks. They move at pace through their repertoire; remaining natural and confident onstage. The front man had my attention throughout the performance and certainly knows how to rouse a crowd. The Volt – definitely a band to discover.

Sam Bonham