REVIEW: LMS South Coast Tour, Edge of the Wedge, Southsea

Unfortunately the venue closed early and there was a mad scramble to find an alternative. Thankfully the Edge of The Wedge stepped in to help and the sold out show went ahead.

Solo sets from Cameron Jenkins, Rachel Broad and Tom Millichamp show the strength and depth of the current Portsmouth music scene.

However things really start to warm up with the Lewis Smith Band. Looking remarkably like a young Damon Albarn and with full band behind him, including 15-year-old guitarist Dan Hennesey adds a real punch to the 16-year-old’s songs. For one so young, he has great stage presence, and soon has the crowd behind him.

Headliners Sweetener certainly had their work cut out to follow that set, but the band, led by lead singer James Burrill, at the ripe old age of 17, certainly stepped up to the plate with a confident performance greatly increased by the addition of new drummer Maxx McComack. James’s songs are an interesting mix of plaintive lyrics, and shades of The Libertines, but somehow coming together, especially on the final song, Bliss - a wondrous chaotic wig-out.

Hopefully all these bands will be given the chance to play Victorious, they certainly deserve a bigger stage and no doubt in years to come they will.

PAUL WINDSOR