The Subways

(X-Tent, Sunday)

There are several reasons you might want to see the Subways at T. After all, the Gallagher brothers are fans, and The Subways are already being hailed by NME as "The New Oasis(tm)". You might be a fan already. There's a distinct possibility that you've heard singles "1AM", "Oh Yeah" or latest offering "Rock And Roll Queen". Some people probably were just taking shade from the 27 degree celcius sun. Mind you, having a very cute blonde in a miniskirt will probably have appealed to some of the more intoxicated audience members.

The X-Tent is fairly full for the Glastonbury 2004 talent search winners, and opener "I Want To Hear What You've Got To Say" draws comparisons to Oasis (surprise surprise), Nirvana, and even a little of the simplicity of the Strokes, thankfully without sounding anything like them.

The band are clearly enjoying playing to a large crowd, and single "Oh Yeah" brings out the energy of the crowd despite the X-Tent being like an oven. If all the band's songs were as punchy and catchy as this, then they'd deserve to be huge.

Sadly, outwith a few of the sets stronger songs, the set does not grab the imagination of the crowd as much as it should, and a bizarre absence of "1AM" does little to help matters.

In all fairness to them, at no point does the gig feel as if it is simply to push new album "Young for Eternity" down our throats, they only mention it once.

Latest single "Rock and Roll Queen" turns out the most popular of the set, and shows off Billy Lunns impressive scream, whilst Charlotte's good looks shows off why we can forgive her for the occasional innaccuracy in her vocals.

Despite an energetic set, the Subways have had better gigs, and they could do with another album full of singles before they can really capture a festival crowd. The Subways - good festival fun? Oh yeah. The next Oasis? Don't push your luck, but Noel Gallagher was never quite as easy on the eye...

review by: Matthew Shaw

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