For only their second gig ever (and the first back in nearly a year), the student-formed six-piece returned to the stage with more originals than expected and plenty of energy. Although still a little rough around the edges, their performance gave an exciting glimpse into a band discovering their musical identity.
Kicking things off with an incredibly confident cover of ‘Money For Nothing’ by Dire Straits, the band knew they’d strike a chord with the local crowd. Drummer Freddie Pollock beamed through the track’s iconic intro, which immediately set the tone for an infectious performance. The set weaved through a blend of well-known covers and five originals, which is quite an impressive output for a band so early in their journey!
Their originals leaned into soul and indie rock, bolstered by Eleanor Dawan Wetton’s warm and expressive lead vocals. Her cool composure contrasted nicely with Alex Smith’s occasional vocal support and undeniable charisma. Smith, who also played guitar and bass throughout the set, didn’t shy away from a bit of fun crowd interaction.
‘Disguised’ stood out for its mellowness, wedged between ambitious covers of ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’. Their track ‘Wasted Time’ felt reminiscent of early Wolf Alice, while ‘Eleanor and Sam’ and ‘Fallin’ disclosed a young band still searching for their signature style–but with clear potential. While not all the originals stuck with me personally, their inclusion in the set was significant. Clearly, Claremont Wing are gaining more and more confidence and write their songs with intent instead of merely trying to fill a set.
Their cover choices were strong - a well-selected mix of Amy Winehouse, ABBA, and a particularly outstanding rendition of Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to Be Wild’ that brought out a looser side of the band.
The Lubber Fiend’s DIY vibe seemed a fitting backdrop for Claremont Wing’s raw enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the venue’s sound setup didn’t do them any favours. Vocals were drowned out by overpowering guitars and the between-song banter was quite hard to catch. Nevertheless, the crowd carried them through with loud cheering and shouting. Frustratingly though, they grew a little too chatty during the band’s originals - a disservice to the group’s evolving songwriting efforts that clearly deserve more recognition.
Their genuine chemistry, camaraderie, and the glimmers of originality make them a band worth following. For anyone wanting to see magic in the making, catch them as soon as you can!
Claremont Wing’s next gig is on 25 May, supporting Wazy Goose at the Cluny.
Claremont wing are absolutely MENTAL!!!!