Quirky indie-pop band Fickle Friends headlined a night of great music at Fibbers ahead of the release of their debut album.
By Katie Manning
Leeds lads Alleyways get the evening underway, giving off youthful vibes as they stuck true to a millennial punk theme. Their brand of 1975 inspired sound gave some fun bubble-gum riffs, with the band showing themselves to be clear up-and-comers with a growing fan base, shown by an enthusiastic response from fans in the crowd to early song Naked.
Following them was calypso-flavoured band Cassia, and if you need something to get you out of your post ‘Beast from the East’ blues than they are it. The simple three-member set up worked perfectly to give an easy-going, beach-cali vibe. They had shimmery indie beats with an afro edge, and they were a real stand out for us, featuring a feel-good sound combined with great musicality and tight harmonies. Definitely one to remember for the upcoming festival season; their music is the perfect backing track to soak up the sun with cold beer in hand.
This seamlessly set up the main band Fickle Friends, who burst onto the stage with an energy that continued through their whole set. The gig felt like a homecoming as guitarist Chris is from Yorkshire, but it also felt like Barbados on the palm-tree filled stage. Crowd favourite Brooklyn was well received and perfectly showcased lead singer Natassja Shiner’s airy vocals, which cut through the 80’s synth to give the band a signature sound. Shiner demonstrated all the excitement and passion of a band that has worked hard for their debut, and performed every word of her lyrics in a relentlessly involved set.
The twinkly backbeat and kick drum of Glue got the crowd dancing again, before the ironically upbeat Hard To Be Myself, a song about being socially anxious, started, coming with a catharsis as Shiner shouts “so just tonight what the f**k”, making it the track an anthem for those who like to stand in the corner at parties. Closing the set with Swim, the band literally let their hair down and give every last bit of energy into going out with a bang.
With glimpses of their upcoming album, Fickle Friends at times seemed to repeat the structure of their songs – meaning that a set can feel like one song bleeds into the next. However, the bouncing, tropical sound made for a fun set and their energy was absolutely infectious.
Alleyways, Cassia and Fickle Friends played at Fibbers on 6 March 2018. Fickle Friends’ debut You Are Someone Else is out now.