With the unfortunate cancellation of one of Hertfordshire’s biggest musical festivals this year, Rhythms of the World produced a weekend of smaller scale events, to keep the spirit of Rhythms alive. On Saturday 13th July Fort Hope headlined a showcase at Club85 in Hitchin.
Fort Hope are a 4-piece British rock band, who formed in January from the ashes of their old band My Passion. They have recently appeared at Camden Rocks Festival, and supported We Are The In Crowd and Jimmy Eat World. Fort Hope are: Jon Gaskin (Vocals, Guitar, Piano), Andé D’Mello (Guitar, Vocals), Simon Rowlands (Bass Guitar) and Jamie Nicholls (Drums). This was their first return to Club85 for around 10 years.
Opening the night was The Awkward, which is an all too fitting name. This young band from Letchworth suggests some promise for their future, but they were out of their depth. Credit is due to their lead singer Adam Fortune, who really kept the energy and enthusiasm alive throughout their set.
Next up was Kumara Junction, again failing to really leave an impact. Playing in their home town, there appeared to be some fans in the crowd, but probably just fellow students from Hitchin Boy’s School. Take a listen to their track Mary Jane, which stood out from the rest and showed some promise, if the band decides to focus on this direction.
Shoot the Director stepped up to rescue the night. Another Hitchin bred band, this quirky three piece delivers outstanding vocal harmonies. With a blend of rock riffs, catchy melodies, and a quirky jazz feel, this is something a bit different. Fun and enjoyable, Shoot the Director are definitely one to watch.
Headliners Fort Hope delivered their unique sound, blending soft melodies and hard rock for an impressive set list. The band launched their rebranding earlier this year with the first Fort Hope single ‘Control’ which is available online. This track proves to be a huge hit for the crowd, with its pop-punk feel and addictive lyrics.
The sound of Fort Hope mixes up the spine-chilling slow movers, to the explosive and hard hitting. Jonathon’s vocals are outstanding, enhancing the well-written songs and tight performance brought by the band.
Fort Hope have also released the second single ‘Rapture’ from their EP “The future’s in Our Hearts” which has been on sale at their live shows. It is clear from their live performances that there is a strong future on the cards, as they ended the night on a high.
Next year Rhythms of the World is set to return as a full scale event, searching for volunteers and artists to bring the festival back to life.