Last Updated on March 4, 2023
Originally published in Beat Motel issue 1
Tonight the expectations I once had were smacked out of my eyes and after I was told how much we d raised by 7 o clock my head got big, so big that I refused to make any conversation as I buzzed of the fact that I had to be much too cool to talk to anyone. It honestly felt good.
I mean who would have thought a couple of 16-year-old Ipswichians obsessed with Jarvis Cocker could ve pulled a line-up together that was SO tight that everyone had their Converse-covered feet tapping; just who? Right, so All or None took centre stage and I had bitten my nails down so far that they d started to bleed.
I was anxious and as if nobody could tell; cacking my pants but I had faith in All or None to guide our audience into the state of ROCK ready for the rest of the night. And didn’t they do such a good job. Deservedly they should lay claim on one of the most upforit bands in Ipswich. Next up – Rosalita.
Between this change over I seemed to have got more out of my head with alcohol and for that reason only I don t think it’s fair that I make comment on Rosalita s set. All I can say is that they made me dance like a granny on acid so I think it’s fair to say they done a good job. After drinking at least a gallon of water I was now in a state of normality, roll on.
The Khe Sahn Approach had been very lovely in lending themselves to help out for the day and they were equally as lovely on stage. Even though I think they only played 4 songs; those 4 songs were necessary in bringing contrast to the night, brilliant. Now what can be said about Charlie Brown that hasn’t already been said? As always, they came with the mission to make everybody boogie and that they did. Great band, great addition to the line-up.
I had been REAL excited about showing off this amazing band from Colchester called *Teevo. Music is my Lover can be recorded for spending most of our time singing Mexico in each others faces and now we got the chance to sing it in everybody else’s, woo! This band were a definite highlight for me and you can be certain to be seeing them at another MIML night very soon.
Probably one of the nicest bands of the night were Korova, who’d travelled the long distance of middle England from Scotland to this now sweaty audience in Ipswich. They’d been kinda nervous about what response their music would receive and so spent most of the afternoon practising in the hall way.
The practising paid off; for me anyway. White Russian was the one song I sang to myself all night. Lovely. Chris T-T came in – guitar and all and ever so nicely insisted he changed his set time with C:B- so he did. People danced the dance of cowboy and genuinely digged the well crafted music coming from this one man and his guitar.
Belting out such cleverly written tunes as Eminem is Gay and Dreaming of Injured Popstars Chris definitely deserves all the acclaim he gets after tonight.
Before tonight I d always considered Coporation:Blend to be pretentious twats BUT I now know to reserve my judgements and they were very friendly and bloody good on stage! I took a break during their set before I collapsed but was real impressed to see near enough the entire hall transfixed by their show. It s obvious they made more than afew new fans tonight, good on them. I don t think tonight would’ve been as much as a success as it was if it wasn’t for the headlining act, who without sounding too absurd; changed my life.
Enter Miss Black America. In 2002 I saw this band crazing out on stage at Ipswich music day and ever since they’ve been one of my favourite bands. I m not sure if it s fair to say they played better than they did the first time I saw them. It s different now but nevertheless just as brilliant as they always have been. They undoubtedly did a cracking set and made me realise tonight had all been worthwhile.
- Lauren
