Review
Review
The Great Escape Presents at The Old Blue Last, 20/02/25
The second of a three-part monthly showcase from the Great Escape gives another glimpse of what to expect this May
Van Zon
Where do you start with a band like Van Zon? Their first release was technically a single except in reality it’s an eight-minute long epic, and they’ve already manage to nab support slots ranging from the likes of post-punk raconteurs Deadletter, to folk up-and-comers The New Eves. Clearly, they’ve been getting a lot of attention. It was no surprise then that many at The Old Blue Last got down early to catch them. And much like those aforementioned support slots, their sound is wide-ranging. And hard to pin down. It’s somewhere in the realm of post-rock, with a hefty dose of folk thrown in. If you’ve had your finger on the pulse of London’s underground music scene over the past few years there’s many elements you’ll recognise, but bringing them altogether provides something that’s both current and familiar. In particular, that folk element does shine live with violins, clarinets and acoustic guitar given focus, but amongst a new wave of exciting new British folk bands, their sound is unique. Whilst it might have started with their folk influences coming to the fore, as vocalist Charlie West put it towards the end of the set, “we don’t have any more nice folk songs to play”. Instead, what came was Van Zon playing into their experimental leanings, which by this point had built up throughout their set. Lead (and so far, only) single Canon Fodder was the high point on which to end, and encapsulated Van Zon at their best; a weaving, entrancing song, and one which manages to capture at once both the majority of their influences and seemingly the entirety of the band themselves.
Raelle
Van Zon followed by Raelle might not happen anywhere else but the Great Escape. Or the Old Blue Last on a Thursday night in February. But when we’re here in service of the former, the distinction is negligible. Really though, it’s hard to think of two more different artists – a testament to the brilliance of this (upcoming) festival. Raelle herself was brilliant, upping the tempo and bringing the soul with her stunning vocals and beautiful songwriting. Having released EP Bloodlines in 2023 and following that with a few newer singles, tonight was a mix of both old and new, as these previous releases were mixed in alongside unreleased material. Not that you could tell, as her new tracks remained just as strong, providing a fresh dose of her classic-soul inspired sound alongside her heartfelt, and often vulnerable lyricism. Combined with the intimate surroundings, it made for a special mix. The audience were appreciative too, matching the energy throughout and responding to the various ebbs and flows of the setlist. Raelle’s new tracks might’ve fitted seamlessly but that didn’t mean they didn’t bring their own challenges. “I’ve been going back and forth on the lyrics” she tells us before diving into one song, it’s a more mellow offering, and one that really demonstrates her lyricism. So whichever lyrics do end up making the cut you can be sure will be given the utmost attention. As should you to whatever she does next.
Route 500
If you only know Route 500 from their biggest song, ‘I’ll Play You Out’, you might be forgiven for thinking this just another indie folk project. But Derek Inver’s musical world is so much more than that. Yes it has its quiet moments, but even those are often dark and lo-fi, and there are times too where it veers dangerously close to more classic alt rock sounds. This is a world bigger than it may first seem. Although, perhaps that should be unsurprising. A string of singles stretch back to 2020 and last year saw the release of debut album Island Perimeter. There’s a lot of material to draw from. Most was indeed from Island Perimeter, but there was a preview of a new era to come, with a couple of new tracks taken from what will be their next album. It’s a shift in sound from previous releases, and heavier than what has come before. ‘I’ll Play You Out’ is of course a highlight, itself a songwriting feat, although elevated in the live setting by Inver’s incredible vocals which have a reserved power about them. And you can’t help but to be drawn in. The evening comes to a close with ‘126’, but as Inver reassures us, “it’s a long one, don’t worry”. So we still have a bit of time left to savour. “Nothing is quite like the real thing” he sings and its true – it’s why watching Route 500 here at the Old Blue Last feels so special.
The Great Escape festival returns to Brighton this May. Find tickets here
