Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

If you're one of those people who only expect to see local bands in Ipswich - why weren't you out on Friday 27 July? The promoters 'Scene & Heard' put on an awesomeΜύ night of music and live graffiti jam drawing a mixed crowd.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ was alerted to the gig which was sent in for our 'lesbian listings'.Μύ This was slightly misleading because, although there were certainly lesbians on stage and in the audience, it was primarily a gig for everyone.Μύ The common thread was the bands were all fronted by women - gay or straight.

Pandot

It was Pandot's first gig, but you'd never have guessed. Brother and sister duo, Jack ( guitar, vox, tambourine, drum machine, accordion, computer work) and Charly (vox, sax, keyboard, glockenspiel, percussion) name Bearsuit, Architecture in Helsinki, The Grates, Pavement, The Go! Team, KaitO, The Microphones, Help She Can't Swim, and Deerhoof as their influences, but their sound is nicely unique.

"We think it was a good start..it certainly hasn't put us off playing again, put it that way!"

Good A.N.D.Y

"Sugar coated flowery summer punk" and "getting a bit Joan Jett" are two quotes from a local promoter about Bad A.N.D.Y who stepped up the pace with their powerful, pop-punk set.

KC, but no sunshine band

Putting a rap artist on the same bill might've seemed like a bad idea, but it worked perfectly. KC delivered a set of a quirky mixture of rap/electro/industrial which kept the wave of energy in the crowd rolling.

She was discovered rapping in Greece outside a club by a French producer by the name of DJ Kaio. She then recorded the EP 'Highly Toxic Eyes' and has been gigging around the UK throughout 2007.

So far she's supported Head Automatica, Shiny Toy Guns and Viva Machine. As well as recording more tunes, she also finds time to run a clothing imprint business and a club night at Newport's Legendary TJ's.

We like girls

I was looking forward to seeing Axe Girl after hearing they'd played legendary London Soho club Madame Jo Jo's recently and Axe herself has appeared on the T4 show Musicool.

They have been described as 'an explosion of acoustic punk pop, Axe Girl are one of the best bands you will ever see.' That's quite a statement to live up to, but these three neon punkettes didn't disappoint, performing a tight, confident set to a now, nicely warmed-up crowd.

Then before you know it you're in a sweaty room with a bunch of people wearing their musical tastes on their sleeve, all dancing to the same tunes.

Scene & Heard have been putting on events for 7 months and yet again showed their knack for putting quality, diverse bands together with the bonus of 'art happenings' going on all night in the background in the Steamboat's excellent garden.

S&H's Jemma told me the future's looking female: "There's definitely been a rise in popularity with bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Be Your Own Pet and The Gossip cracking the mainstream and shows like ours just prove that there is so much more undiscovered talent of an equally high standard."

* Pictures taken by Darren Olley.Μύ For more information about the bands and Scene & Heard visit the MySpace website using the links on the right>>