A fast-paced and commanding performance from Ether City last night at the Gold Coast pub. The band headlined an event in support of the venue and its owners, playing an hour's set in the early evening. Sandwiching the set with two Bean numbers, they played:

PUNCH ABOVE MY WEIGHT
MY SWEETNESS
KENSINGTON HIGH STREET
RIGHT NOW
JUST A BUD
ABIGAIL
WHY WE WERE MEN
DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER
LOLITA
NIGHTMARE OF MY OWN MAKING
LENNON AND McCARTNEY
BAD STREETS
HOUSE ON SAND
JUMPING JACK FLASH
ALL WASHED UP

The first few songs were disrupted by sound cut-off problems that had plagued a few earlier acts; these turned out to be due to a volume limiter that no one had mentioned! Nobody's sure precisely who was setting it off, but the money's on either Mayes or Captain.

Once resolved, the majority of the set continued without any interruptions and to an enthusiastic and much appreciated audience response, with newcomers and long-standing fans of the band full of praise for the performance.

Unless you're reading this after Saturday 20th November 2010, in which case you've missed it.

The band are on at 5pm at the Gold Coast on Portland Road in South Norwood.

"The rumours have started, strange tales of the Carny, that rambles from town to town presenting its marvels and oddities to anyone who dare to view. A ancient manuscript has been discovered compelling Ether City to join the Carny, adding to its already eclectic line up. On the 20th November 2010, the People for Portland Road have uncovered that the Carny is about to arrive at The Gold Coast. Ether City will be lining up men telling strange tales of afar, sorcery that must be from Beelzebub himself, the man whose chains cannot contain him, and other musical oddities. Food and beer aplenty, painted faces for children and stocks for the larger ones!

Come.......... come.......... come.......... to the Carny!!!!!!!!!!!!"

There's a short bit of the band playing KENSINGTON HIGH STREET on the Croydon TV website as part of their report on the South Norwood Arts Festival.

The brief footage of the band starts around 40 seconds into the report.

Thanks to all who came along on Sunday to watch the band successfully play their first festival. Lots of terrific compliments afterwards, and a great sound.

All the more impressive when you learn that there was next to no sound-check, the band in fact were largely unable to hear themselves (James says he couldn't hear the bass at all), Bean's amp failed moments before the gig started, Captain broke one of his drum sticks mid-song, and Chris Mayes only made it to the venue with five minutes to spare…

Nevertheless, Ether City played:

KENSINGTON HIGH STREET
LENNON AND MCCARTNEY
JUST A BUD
NIGHTMARE OF MY OWN MAKING
RIGHT NOW
LOLITA
MY SWEETNESS

Ether City are scheduled to be on stage at 2.05pm this afternoon. Mayes is returning from the North of England; let's hope he gets there on time!

Hope to see you there - that is, here.

As mentioned below, Ether City will be playing the South Norwood Arts Festival at Woodside Green, SE25 on Sunday 18th July. The band will be on stage from 2 p.m. for a short set. Entry is free, and details of the whole day can be found here.

As well as music there will be dance demonstrations and various events reflecting the different cultures resident in and around South Norwood, a barbecue and a beer tent. This last is, in all probability, where you will be able to catch up with the band after the gig!

It promises to be a cracking day and is all in a good cause. Latest forecasts suggest the weather should stay dry so do pop along and bring the family.

Ether City played for two hours in total in Norwood on Friday night; a great gig enjoyed by both the band and the audience in the working men's club. Kicking off at 8.30pm, they played a set that was a straight split of older and newer material, including four songs never played before in public, and a couple brought back for the first time in years.

After a half hour break, the band came back and played a selection of some of their favourite covers, including Jumping Jack Flash and Don't Look Back In Anger.

The main set list was:

PUNCH ABOVE MY WEIGHT
JUST A BUD
KENSINGTON HIGH STREET
RIGHT NOW
BLUE LIGHT
MY SWEETNESS
ABIGAIL
WHEREVER DAYS GO
LOLITA
NIGHTMARE OF MY OWN MAKING
LENNON AND MCCARTNEY
BAD STREETS
HOUSE ON SAND
ALL WASHED UP

The band will be on stage at 8.30pm to play two sets at the South Norwood And Woodside Social Club on Enmore Road. Expect a mixture of familiar Ether City songs, new material, and some covers.

As often at their gigs the band may hang around in the venue for a bit afterwards.

Ether City will start their first set tomorrow at 8.30pm, playing a second set of covers a little over an hour after that. The band will be debuting a couple of new songs as well as presenting a few played previously only at private gigs.

A good crowd is expected for this first public Ether City gig in South London since 2007 so make sure you get there in time for a good view.