The Brunettes deserve a much larger crowd than they had. This is a band that melds interesting, engaging material with a simply fun live set, plus the technical proficiency to back up their emotive enthusiasm. To witness them is an absolute joy. The usual guitar/bass/drums/keyboards/singer formula is at different times augmented by a tenor sax, a trumpet, a glockenspiel, various percussive instruments, a harmonica, even a clarinet (and I can’t help but feel I’ve forgotten something); the layered intricacy of this multi-instrumentation succeeding throughout to create a full, captivating sound and atmosphere, without appearing gimmicky.

They’ve obviously studied their indie pop textbooks - a fellow critic and friend even noting the 50% stripy shirt strike-rate – yet there appears to be nothing formulaic about this band. The saccharinity of Heather’s vocals saw contrast in her brother Jonathon’s lyrical responses, both of which were allowed to soar in the rich harmonies of the rest of the group as the music was not merely made, but loving built around them. The Brunettes is a talented, exciting group skirting the edges of adorable without falling into twee. They are incredibly cute, but don’t let that put you off. A personal Homebake highlight, they were worth the sore feet and sunburn, which from this pasty writer is high praise indeed.

by A.H. Cayley