With Champions an imminent distant mental affliction, and Oxjam very much at the forefront of a newfound positivity, it feels good to be out again. Doing a job that nullifies your enjoyment of the very thing that brings you the most pleasure is ludicrous. “That must be a tough gig” someone said to me recently. Indeed. The book I could write about my time working at Champions wouldn’t quite match the similar book from ‘The Gander Years’ in terms of gossip and revelation, but I think it would sell a few copies.

Anyway, it feels good to be out again, and Thursday took me to The Cellar Bar to see Stop Go Sixty and The Other Half. A rare outing to Boscombe, to a small pub and venue in Vegas that should be congratulated for embracing live music and the arts. I’m still waiting for The Other Half to really impress me. I mean really impress me, as they’re very much a band who are easy to like; good songs, well played, affable fellas too, but as I’ve said to them many times, they’re just missing that X-factor – that certain something which makes them a band you must see, rather than might see. For a second look at Stop Go Sixty I could make that same comment, although there is a commercial edge to these guys which (for better or worse) potentially gives them a more mass-market appeal. I spent half an hour trying to figure out who it was they reminded me of, but frustratingly failed. It’s a bit Jamiroquai, a bit Jamie Cullum, but it’s really neither of those.

Friday, Champions. Out of the crop of new, young local bands who have emerged in the last twelve months, Rapids! (pictured above, left) have possibly impressed me the most. Energetic and passionate, these guys produce a edgy, heavy and (despite frontman Matt Holliday’s Ian Curtis ‘thing’), refreshingly original sound. Matt’s sporadic angular gesticulations actually do a decent job of putting the band’s sound into a physical form, but there’s far more to Rapids! than elbow jerks. Along with Mutant Vinyl these guys are celebrating youth, freedom and musical expression in a beautiful way.

Deltorers. What haven’t I said about these guys over the last couple of years? Being stripped down to a duo has done nothing for their sound apart from put more emphasis on Brendan’s bass… and indeed there is. Nathan still pours out a wonderfully uninhibited physicality, unleashing his fury whilst clearly loving every second. These guys have ridiculous ability, but an equally ridiculous inability to bring anyone to their gigs. Hold Your Horse Is were actually recommended by Deltorers, and their ferocious three-pronged attack shared many similarities with their former line-up. Maybe if Deltorers had bothered to watch more than their last song, they may have learned something about the importance of stage presence.

Before attempting to get in to The Winchester for the Bournemouth Ink warm-up, a little work and a lot of pleasure took me back to Champions, to witness the love being lavished on The Neon Tigers (pictured above centre) by their adoring public. Three new songs were included in tonight’s set, each one faultlessly performed and enthusiastically received. The Neon Tigers theatrical, melodic rock may be breaking no new musical barriers, but these songs are so bloody good, creating swathes of positivity, that it’s easy to see why these guys have such a fanatical following.

A five minute walk around the corner to The Winchester took me to the launch party for this year’s Bournemouth Ink event. So what was going on here to attract a couple of hundred smiling, joyful punters? Well, Quinns Quinney were playing, there was a raffle giving away a few prizes, and there were some Superfly djs ‘til the early hours. Free entry helped too, but Bournemouth Ink was massive last year, and this year’s gig at the BIC again looks like being one of the events of the year. Such is the amount of promotion generated by those involved, not just through those with a passion for ink, but with the likes of Devils Music, FairPlay and all manner of Burlesque artistes getting involved, this was simply the place to be tonight. Quinns Quinney (pictured above, right) were the perfect band for the gig too – big on smiles and sing-a-long skiffle, this musical menagerie are ‘combine cool’. I stole that phrase, but QQ aren’t shy on stealing either. Anyway, Bournemouth Ink – it’s more than tattoos you know – if you want to be at one of this year’s best parties, take a look at the official website and get involved!

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