The August List + Vienna Ditto + Loud Mountains @ The Cellar, Oxford 13/5/17

A return, of sorts. Both personal and musical.

The personal in the form of a pilgrimage to a forgotten pleasure and the musical in the shape of the launch of The August List's long awaited second album, Ramshackle Tabernacle.

It is extremely satisfying to find yourself in a venue that you haven't been in for nearly 10 years, and to have a wave of fond memories wash over you.

I had often attended the regular club nights held at The Cellar in Oxford, as a student.  Some 9 years later, on the night of 13 May 2017, I was back. However, this time, it was to attend one of their popular gig nights, hosted by Future Perfect. Memories of sweat stained beer induced raucous dancing, early hours requests for DJ's to play Mansun, general scruffy haired-polo shirt wearing debauchery, crept back into my mind like a long forgotten song. You know the type, the one that reminds you how to smile.

Wistful reminiscence aside, The Cellar has maintained it's exquisite charm and credibility as an independent music venue, whilst existing as an equally formidable club in the heart of the city. The dimly lit space with the secluded alcoves and caverns bolster it's character and really make it the perfect setting for bands of a more leftfeild persuasion.

First act of the night, Oxford based Loud Mountains, set the tone for the evening, with their soft-blues Americana influences and wholesome sound. Connecticut-born Brothers, Sean and Kevin Duggan, performing with their full band, presented a warm and relaxed collection of songs from their recent release, Love One Another EP. Yet, they appeared slightly apologetic and deprecating, as if to suggest that they were not worthy of the stage. This concern was, of course, to be proved unfounded, as the sold out crowd in the room had no objections to the gentle nature and high quality of their set.

During the gap between acts that followed, I continued to be consumed by memories of past times spent between those brick walls. Why had it taken me so long to return here? Why had I been so neglectful? These questions, amoung others, would persist on haunting me throughout the night. 

Oh well.

Next up was Reading/ Oxford botherers Vienna Ditto. The duo, Hatty Taylor and Nigel Firth, were once again on top form, perpetuating the quasi-blues aspect of the night with their contemporary, and somewhat fractured, trip-hopesque electronica style. Being a big fan of the band, I was once again captivated by their dis-jointed, yet oddly strong sound, as well as their improvised and somewhat erratic approach to performing. This combination really punctuates their pure talent as musicians; where they manage to deliver a stellar and impressively tight set of well written material, while seamlessly creating a Stella' fuelled party atmosphere (I'm not even sorry -BH), including a dance-off competition, with a copy of their latest release, Busted Flush EP, to the worthy victor. Well, it was Saturday night after all.

Playing one of their classic hits, Long Way Down, an up-tempo blues number with an explosive drum 'n' bass outro, as their closer, Vienna Ditto sailed me through the interim between bands, and I was once again transported back to my memories. Oh, how I remembered sweaty and elated peoples, all dancing to the The Postal Service, during one indie-night in this basement. And the heady nights out with work colleagues, where the small hours would be welcomed with heavy drinking.

In this reflection, it felt like these events of joy had been brought closer to me, almost as if they happened only yesterday. Perhaps all of this did happen just a short time ago? Maybe I never did leave? Was this really a return, or just another wonderful memory in the making?

I digress.

The August List held their headline slot with grace, as they performed a plethora of tracks, most notably from their new album, the focus of this launch event, Ramshackle Tabernacle. The new tracks stood strong, especially recent single Palace In The Rocks, as well as Old Rip, both highlighting the contrasting, yet effortless harmonised vocal styling of Kerraleigh and Martin Child. The band strode confidently through their blend of authentic blues-Americana, catching the crowd's attention, leading to calls for an encore, and even chants of 'MORE' after the band had left the stage. You could tell that the band were immensely proud of their efforts and that they had honoured their return with new material impeccably, solely from the huge grins on their faces.

So, a many happy return was had by all, it seemed. All three acts had sufficiently satisfied and excited the collective, who no doubt were ready for a long night of drinking and revelling in the bowls of The Cellar. Once again, this densely packed venue would provide the perfect aesthetic for this eclectic bunch to live out their dreams and thrills into the early hours, as it always has. And, once again, this writer stole away into the night, with another blissful memory in hand.

Ben Hawling