Earlier this week signalled the start of Independent Venue Week. The event pushes people to get out and tap back into their local music scene; stepping into smaller rooms, checking out bands they might not already know, and remembering why live music works best when it’s stripped back and up close. It’s less about hype and more about community, and that’s what makes it matter. And I got the chance to discover some amazing talent here at the Birmingham sunflower lounge. 

words&photos by Cameron Golding

‘thistle.’ know exactly what they’re doing. While they are performing the atmosphere keeps building – it feels like they’re chasing something much bigger, never slowing down the whole show, pumping out songs with an admirable high energy set. There’s a balanced tension running through their music, which makes it easy to sink into.  

 
Their debut EP, “it’s nice to see you, stranger” felt like a proper arrival, and the new single “Tied” backs that up. It’s barely a minute and a half long, but it doesn’t waste a second. The song captures the dull exhaustion of the monotonous job, flipping between small bursts of optimism and that familiar sense of defeat. It’s short and sharp, everything an audience needs.


South London five-piece ‘Ain’t’ pull from the rougher edges of indie and post-punk, but there’s a looseness to what they do that stops it from ever feeling stiff or overly serious. The songs hit hard but there’s always space for things to breathe. With all things said, they quickly become a standout of the night.

 
During the show, they played their new single “long short round,” a track that feels like a real step forward. It’s noisy and melodic without being messy. The band are clearly getting comfortable blending mood and melody with sharper, more abrasive moments, making the whole thing feel very exciting. If this is where they’re headed next, ‘Ain’t’ are absolutely a band worth keeping an eye on. 

‘Gill’ are a Stourbridge band still early in their journey, but there’s already a sense of intention in what they’re doing. With just three songs released so far, they’re not rushing anything and each track feels like it’s been considered, crafting their perfect image for upcoming releases and live performances. 

Independent Venue Week has been a celebration of all things in the live music and entertainment industry, fueled by the talents in the music industry. The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham has made this year one to remember, and so has all of the above artists. It is certain that “thistle.,” “Ain’t” and “Gill” should be on your music playlists, and it is only you that is missing out if not.