The VirginMarys - Oct 22 I first saw The VirginMarys supporting New Model Army way back in 2010 at Reading’s Sub89 and was very impressed by the then three-piece’s take on old school rock. The following year I saw them when they returned to support Ash and at that moment they became one of the first ever bands that I photographed (with the very cheap battery eating pocket camera that I owned at the time). Their debut album ‘King of Conflict’ was released in 2013 and was an epic slice of classic rock including the stunning ‘Bang Bang Bang’ and ‘Portrait of Red’.

Flash forward to 2022 and my photography has moved to a completely different level and the now two-piece band are celebrating their third album and a number of excellent one-off singles and EPs. Earlier this year, they supported Ricky Warwick at Sub89 and showed that they could still hold it together as a two-piece. This was their first headlining show in Reading and expectations were high.

First up we have The Pink Diamond Revue, one of Reading’s more prolific live bands. The band are unique in that they are a guitarist, drummer and shop mannequin (aCiD Dol) who acts as a visual centre piece. As Tim menacing prowls the stage you occasionally feel the eyes of aCiD Dol following you around which is disconcerting, almost as much as her frequent change of headgear throughout the set.

Musically, the band produce pulsating instrumentals with looped vocal samples reminding you of the proto dance beats of Batcave veterans, Alien Sex Fiend crossed with the retro soundtracks of Carpenter Brut and the twangy guitar of Dwayne Eddy. Swirling spirals of light drench the stage in a multitude of colours adding a psychedelic feel to the entire show. By the time they play ‘Go Go Girls’ the band will have won over a few more fans in the crowd.

I’ve heard good things about Glaswegian band Anchor Lane and know a number of people who had come along especially to see them. Formerly a four and now a three piece (as with The VirginMarys, losing a bass player would appear to be a thing nowadays), the band have already released their debut ‘Casino’ and are about to release their second. One of those bands whose career projectory was rudely interrupted by the global pandemic, they are now working hard to regain that lost ground.

Sporting an immaculate mohawk, singer Conor has a clear presence as he moves viscerally across the stage (and is a gig photographer’s dream) whilst Lawrence provides the heavy riffs, occasionally venturing into the crowd to play.  Concentrating on the new album, the band open with ‘Choke’ and new single ‘Stutter’. We are back in classic rock territory with an element of the less pretentious side of Muse making an appearance. It’s all good stuff and the band make it all very enjoyable.

Title track of the new album ‘Call this a Reality’ is a bouncy number with a suitably scratchy guitar solo, whilst the early single ‘Fame Shame’ has one of those incredibly catchy choruses that you will be singing all day, plus it has plenty of room for some nifty shredding. Finishing with ‘I Don’t Have Another Soul to Pour’ the band have demonstrated that they have a lot of potential and why so many people are raving about them.

Starting with recent single ‘The Meds’ The VirginMarys’ set themselves a high standard for remainder of the career encompassing set. It’s a punchy opening number with a pleasing riff and Ally’s cries of ‘Here comes the medicine’. Danny is as energetic as always, sometimes forgetting he has a stool to sit on whilst pounding his drums.

‘Thousand Times’ takes us back to the early singles and crowd favourite ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ from the first album reminds us of that revitalised classic rock feel the band achieved in those early years.

‘Portrait of Red’ sounded great when it originally came out and still sounds magnificent played loud and live. Those opening bars retain their thumping build up before Ally screams impassionately through the chorus and lets rip on his guitar. ‘Through the Sky’ from the ‘Sitting Ducks’ EP is tamer by comparison but makes up on the melodic chorus. A couple of newer unreleased songs ‘Lies Lies Lies’ and ‘Where Are You Now?’ up the tempo again before Ally picks up his acoustic guitar for ‘Sleep’.

‘Brothers’ from the bands first, hard to find, album ‘Self Medication’ is a welcome addition to the set as is the excellent title track of the next EP, ‘Devil Keeps Coming’ with its chant of ‘This is war fought in my head’. ‘Just a Ride’ is another cracking song from the early EPs and is equally matched by the recent single ‘You’re a Killer’ for hum ability. We are into the closing straight with ‘Look out for my Brother’ followed by the always excellent ‘Bang Bang Bang’.

It's been a quality hot and sweaty 90 minute set with a good representation from the whole of the band’s output. My faith in the band continues after all these years and it has been fascinating to see them develop over the years, fulfilling that early electrifying promise. Whatever comes next can only be good.

The Pink Diamond Revue - Oct 22 The Pink Diamond Revue - Oct 22 Anchor Lane - Oct 22 Anchor Lane - Oct 22 Anchor Lane - Oct 22 The VirginMarys - Oct 22 The VirginMarys - Oct 22