Colours Of One Are Ready To Rise
Life’s little pleasures are erratic in their movements and by no means predictable as to when they will be discovered. Finding money you never knew you had, a familiar scent that awakens a memory or hearing the right song at the right moment, are but a few examples of the small reminders that it is not all doom and gloom.
On this occasion however, the local South Wales four-piece act named Colours of One, made their return to the live music scene only to prove that their revised collection of indie rock are the right songs for any moment.
A steady flow of veteran supporters made their way up to the venue, all greeting each other in a warm manner (similar to any airport arrivals gate in the world). Old friends had been brought back together, all sharing a common love and interest for the evening’s headliners long-awaited homecoming.
The 5th March 2016 was a celebration of local Welsh talent and who better to open the evenings festivities than The people The Poet. The Pontypridd-based quartet opened their set on a well balanced singing harmony which eventually exploded into a flash of colour and an infectious rhythm grip which was difficult to shake from.
Mr Stanford played his usual part of pulling in the attention of the audience and not only mesmerising them with his sweeping singing range, but also entertaining them with his unconventional note-drunk stage movements. Tracks such as “Happy Being Miserable” gave him the opportunity to let loose the diva within while the remainder of the band soldiered on, hitting note for note as the set progressed.
“Believe in god but let’s not kill each other” was a worthy statement addressed by the front man before gradually reaching the end of their slot. Met with a well-earned round of applause and the odd “fuck yeah”, the four-piece thanked the crowd for their attendance and left the floor.
Colours of One slowly left fiancés and friends alike to join one another in front of the crowd. The beauty of their return rested with the fact that everyone in attendance was considered a friend to them for following their development over the last six years. No form of music snobbery was present and no words of criticism were spoken.
With a quick confirming nod to one another, the appropriately titled “We Take Care Of Our Own” sparked the front row of enthusiasts into life. After a short period of the four musicians re-adjusting to stage life, you would have never have guessed they had left.
The alteration in line-up had also not robbed the group of any of their vitality. Mike’s front man persona had not deteriorated over time but grown in strength with the responsibilities of the singing and his new-found rhythm guitar role which seemed to keep him consistently busy, with no awkward lull in between.
Paul’s passionate personality behind the drum kit was no less ferocious than it always had been, Miff had lost none of his playful nature and Lewis’s recent addition of swaying euphoria made the band an absolute delight to witness.
As the night pressed on, various individuals mustered together and filled the remaining space at the front by having an inebriated dance off. Attempts of the running man, moonwalk and expressive dance kept the remaining spectators light-hearted and mildly amused while their full attention was focused on the group’s range of new material.
A number of song intervals were filled discussing previous gig memories (including an eccentric fan reminding the band of a bet to eat a black banana), but it was not long after that the group struck the all too familiar notes of the famous Beatles number “Come Together” which proved to be an intense crowd pleaser.
The end of the show was nigh and as they drew to a close playing the old favourite “Dusk And Chalk”, old friends and big fans made their way up front to congratulate them all on a successful set.
Small communities such as tonight are the backbone of Welsh music and undoubtedly act as the first real motive that keeps talent from simply slipping under the radar. Colours of One may have humble beginnings but with their first full-length debut well under way, the prospect that their fan base may soon grow exponentially in size is a certainty.
