Artist: Sterling Press / Flat Party

Venue: Edge Of The Wedge

Town: Portsmouth

Date: 27.1.26

Flat Party

I asked the band Flat Party, as they were relaxing after their umpteenth appearance at The Wedgewood Rooms, “Do you feel like you are progressing as a band?” Jack Lawther, head honcho (singer) replied quick as a flash “We are progressing as human beings”. They struck me as a bunch who are in that great melting pot, waiting for their moment in the sun, producing great songs and giving their all in the Live environment.

Flat Party

The set was chilled and accomplished with a variation in their songs that stand them up as interesting in a very good way. Lawther possesses a fine vocal delivery which enriches the melodies, adding to the bands all round well honed presence. With plenty of head nodding the gathered people were obvious fans already, or becoming new fans.

Flat Party

Sterling Press

On 2nd or last for the evening were a band I hadn’t heard of yet. Sterling Press emerged onto the small stage with a little West London bounce… think Blur 1995. The comparison doesn’t end there as their output owes a slice to Blur’s ‘95 to ‘98 catalogue with stabs of synth and deep electronic basslines mixed with guitars and almost Hip Hop drums. The tracks that stood out were the jumping tunes such as “Feel like Dog” and “Concrete Trampoline” which had hints of Pavement along with the aforementioned Blur. A couple of the more subtle numbers struggled to get off the floor and lacked the punch and drive but well worth hanging around to watch and I really want to see what direction they head in next.

Sterling Press

Sterling Press

Sterling Press

Band websites

Sterling Press

Flat Party

review and photographs by Dan Reddick