Apollo Junction, Gullivers. 11th November 2023

Apollo Junction are on a journey, which maybe is appropriate with a name like that. Their first album had some glimpses of promise, but was a bit too poppy for my cold dark heart. The second album though, well that’s got some belters on it and I wish they’d played more from it tonight in Gullivers. I’m still making my mind up about the recently released third record, but I do admire any band out there that are doing it all themselves. A quick look online will show you how hard they’re working, they’re grafters and they’re being rewarded by pulling in some clearly fanatical fans. It’s supposed to be sold out, but the room is not full. I know what a full Gullivers looks like… and feels like, it can get quite uncomfortable, but there's plenty of room. It’s a choppy gig, jumping from songs I like to songs that I don’t dislike, but are a bit in between. Straight up indie pop that doesn’t really get my blood pumping, but to be fair the crowd get in to it with the call and response requests from singer Jamie and there’s a decent buzz. ‘Two Car Family’ comes to my rescue. It’s the most accessible song, a proper indie banger. Jamie is off the stage, in the crowd milking it. It’s brilliant, but have they peaked too soon? The new album stuff sounds a bit safe to me, but ‘Mil1ion’ sounds good live. Part indie jangle with shouty lyrics, part bubble gum pop. It’s catchy and they clearly love playing it, especially the lad on bass, who seems a bit excitable. ‘Always Remember’ off the debut has a bit of a naive sort of sound with its synth backline but it’s okay. What is a bit odd is Jamie’s voice, he sounds a bit flat in places which is surprising as on record he’s got a cracking delivery and there are signs of it here, but maybe there’s something technical going on that’s not helping him. Somethimg he later confirms is the case. It doesn't effect the whole set and when he hits it, they sound great. I'm not sure anyone else cares anyway as they're all singing along. This is my first time seeing them live, but I'm clearly in the minority. We’re asked for our hands in the air on ‘By The River’, I think mainly to give Jamie something to do. He seems a bit lost during the bits he’s not required to sing. I sound really negative I realise. They are fun though. They’ve been doing covers all tour we’re told, each night picking a band local to the venue, but the hook is they choose daft pop songs… until Manchester though. Perhaps because we’re considered a serious musical city or more likely they just really like Oasis. So we get ‘Sad Song’ acoustic in the middle of the room. I want to tell you it’s great, but it’s not good, maybe that's the charm though. There's an raw impromptu feel about it. ‘Sometimes’ from that second album follows and is much better. Packed with energy, Jamie is off the stage again bouncing around the crowd. I think he finds Gullivers stage too small, he takes every opportunity to get off it. It is tight for a five piece to be fair. “Is it time for a singalong?” he asks as they introduce ‘…Are you happy?’. It’s standard stuff, but does land as its choral refrain takes over. Everyone singing, it’s pretty bloody good and shows that work ethic I mentioned earlier. When I wondered if they’d peaked too early, I’d forgot about ‘Light Up The Sky’. It’s glam rock stomp gets the lady in front of me wiggling her bum and my head bobbing as Jamie once more takes to the floor. More of this please lads. ‘Begin’ takes us back though. It’s not for me, although it does have a catchy bass-line. I can’t fault them though, they put a shift in and the room that’s filled up a bit (where was everyone earlier?) does seem to like them. Everyone’s hands up when instructed. I’m clearly just a miserable bastard. They close with ‘Forever’ a passionate rally call. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and although I’m not going to declare them my new favourite band, they work hard and do have some great songs, like 'On The Ropes' that's sadly we're not treated to. As they close, only the lads on drums and keyboard are left on stage, only because they can’t join the others on the floor. It feels celebratory and as they all take a bow they’re beaming. Fair play to em. If I’ve not put you off, which I certainly don’t mean to, give the ‘All In’ album a spin and maybe grab a ticket to see them live and make up your own mind.