In what is likely to be their last show for a long time, Sarpa Salpa pulled out all the stops at Bedford's Esquires on Saturday night. Following support from The Quids and Bash, Salpa hit the stage with a 45-minute set packed with songs new and old as the 5-piece continued to prove that the best is still yet to come.
Opening with the synth driven Circuits the group ease through the main set that includes 3 songs from their 2020 debut EP - Say Something. Whilst the EP can at times leave a lot
to be desired the live performances seem to satisfy those needs. With stellar guitar work from George Neath on tracks Lost Time and Before it Goes Dark and with impeccable vocal performances from newly integrated member Meg and front man Marcus on title track Say Something that really gave the songs the weight of sound the EP could’ve done with. Amongst this serving the group also treated us to some potential future releases with “Forwards Backwards”, topically renamed “Corona Girls” and “Stick to What You Know”, teasing what is still to come from the fivesome.
As Sarpa prepare to close their main set with the superb “Casanova” a change in stations was in order with regular keyboardist Meg taking to the guitar leaving Marcus free to roam into the Esquires crowd, and with excellent performances from all members they really showed why Casanova deserved to be BBC introducing’s track of the week upon its release in March of last year.
The obligatory encore follows (something that Marcus makes sure to poke fun at), playing the infectious fan favourite “She Never Lies” and they round off the night with unreleased “Pimlico” (a personal favourite of mine). Sarpa Salpa proved themselves to be an extremely well-rehearsed group with noticeable chemistry, Charlie Does’ drumming and Ethan’s raw enthusiasm on the bass really capped off an enjoyable live experience and I know I’m not the only one looking forward to seeing what is in store for the band moving forward.
Whilst hard times are ahead for independent bands like Salpa, with gigs getting cancelled left, right and centre (including Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders sold out Hop Scotch gig on the 24th March in which Sarpa were billed to perform) due to the COVID-19 outbreak. They will be hoping to make it out the other side of this epidemic unscathed and if they can get tracks like “Pimlico” and “Stick to What You Know” prepped for release then they’ll be on the right track.
Written by Samuel Berrill
Photography by Will Taylor -> @willktaylor
Setlist:
Circuits
Forwards Backwards
Lost Time
Smith
Corona Girls
Before It Goes Dark
Say Something
Stick to What You Know
Casanova
She Never Lies
Pimlico
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