The Good Water, Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham - review with pictures

The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham was the setting for a superb evening where three bands officially launched the Christmas festivities.

Live, local music may be seen as a dying trade in some circles but the Birmingham scene is very much alive and kicking – just ask anyone who was out last night.

Supported by the very lively Kinds of Light, and the more mellow Giant and the Georges, both bands got the crowd nicely warmed up with their intricate guitar playing and sound harmonies.

The Good Water like to play a few samples in between songs and, sometimes, before they enter the stage.

That was exactly what happened last night and it filled the room with anticipation, especially for those were experiencing the psychedelic wonder that is the Birmingham three-piece for the first time.

With Rob Clements, 33, on guitar and lead vocals, Tom Fisher, 32, from Yardley Wood on drums and backing vocals, and Great Barr-based Stuart Webb, on Keyboard, who also supplies backing vocals, they combine to create a truly unique sound, which is no easy feat considering the countless bands that have come and gone over the years.

Opening with The Sun, it set the night up brilliantly (check out the video on You Tube if you get the chance).

No-one really knew what was going on, until frontman Clements started pounding the guitar, followed by Fisher’s wonderfully-understated drums and Webb’s masterful keyboard playing, bringing the place to a standstill as everyone stood in their awe – before they began rocking out.

Next up was Colours, followed by Mansaid, two more catching tunes that contain plenty more of those wonderful harmonies and plenty of chances for the hardcore fans, who have followed the band since their inception just over two years ago, to sing along.

Seen Her Tonight is one of their newest tracks and it was one those that just screamed ‘this is a hit’, followed by Tell Me.

The latter has already received rave reviews from the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6, among others, and the accompanying video has also been highly commended. It’s a proper rock track, with a nice beat, easy-going lyrics but also plenty of chances for all three musicians to go off on a tangent and show what they are capable of.

Breadcrumbs has already become a bit of an anthem, with a call-and-response from the audience a must already. It’s a very catchy tune.

See Your Light was one of their first hits and it helped introduce the world to The Good Water’s unique sound. Again, it’s worth having a look at the video online. Very funky.

Annabelle and Once Twice Now kept the party atmosphere flowing until Love and finally

Everything Is, again another track that is fast becoming a fan’s favourite, ended a truly wonderful night.

The three-piece are keeping themselves very busy and will have plenty of gigs coming up in the new year, so keep your eyes peeled and get out their supporting local bands in West Midlands because there really is a huge amount of talent playing venues like the Sunflower Lounge on a regular basis.

There are also rumours of an album release in the near future too, and if the responses to The Good Water’s singles are anything to go by, it really could launch the band into the stratosphere, where they truly belong.