Whitby Alt Fest
The Resolution, Whitby
28^th-29^th October 2011

Some of the back stories of the happenings in Whitby are like a confusing labyrinth with no exit or entry.  Thankfully, recent reports suggest everything will be "back to normal" in 2012 hopefully making the muddle-ups and "split events" redundant.

The main event in the Spa Pavilion this weekend is not one aimed at the Goth audience, albeit one some may enjoy, as it is the Bram Stoker Film Festival.   Bands like Dyonisis and The Scary Bitches are playing as part of the ball on the Saturday night and tickets for this are sparse, as it had sold out weeks ago.

Assorted unrelated events under the guise of 'Whitby Alt Fest' built with Goths and Steampunks in mind, take part around the town where  over one thousand Goths have come down, despite the Whitby Goth Weekend being the following weekend.

Apart from assorted DJ'd events, there are bands like Eureka Machines entertaining up at the Metropole on the other side of town, but a packed out Resolution is eagerly awaiting the first band. A muddle up over who is headlining means that Alexa De Strange do not take to stage until after 10pm.

Built around the duo of feisty frontwoman Francesca Santamaria and glamtastic guitarist Shannon Lee, the full five piece tonight includes Robin Guy pounding out the beats.  Some critics have him as the best drummer in rock, he certainly kicks out a solid backbone to the tracks.

With influences shining through ranging from Danielle Dax to David Bowie to T-Rex, they glide through the tracks seamlessly and it is all over too quickly.  They have certainly made some new friends tonight and while they are giving new single 'Babydoll' a lot of attention, it is tracks like 'Luxxxurious' that really represent the band.  Musically and lyrically it's an arrogant 'fuck you' to anyone that's ever said Francesca isn't pretty/thin/acceptable enough; it has pinches of rock n roll rebellion with a proud boast of "yes I am!"  Unsurprisingly at the end of the set there's a queue of people waiting to tell the band how much they identified with it.

Whilst ADS showcase one of the new talents in the scene, Lupine show that old habits die hard.  They have clocked up over 10 years, but have never really progressed above playing pubs and low-billed slots.  They're unashamedly gothic rock, but whilst enjoyable they lack anything which makes them standout above being just-another-goth-by-numbers act.

Old-mouldy-drum machine? Check.
Smoke? Check.
Bellowing vocals? Check.

To their credit a lot of the crowd sticks with them despite the late set time, but it seems more through manners than through being subject to an inspiring performance.  It was that or X-Factor.

After shaking off hangovers it's time to do it again on the Saturday.  Again, there are assorted DJ nights around town and bands in both the Resolution and the Metropole -  a fair few head from the sold out Spa event to pop into the Resolution to catch Alice Moving Under Skies.

The venue is utterly packed when they clamber onstage and after explaining to the Grim Reaper why they haven't got a drummer; AMUS kick-start their set with a track from their forthcoming album.  They are a band that have come a good distance in a short time; they have become a decent and respected live act, have had positive responses to their debut album and the tracks showcased tonight suggests their next release is one to check out.  What works, is they are different - they do not sounds like The Fields of the Sisters of Cure - there are influences from all over the place, some minimal electro, post-punk a touch gritty-pop - and of course the driving force is the power in the voice of Penny.  She almost throws herself into each and every track, really letting loose on a cover of 'Bad Romance', which brings the whole house down!  Goths, locals, the bar staff, everybody gets into it!

It is a tough act for Winter in Eden to follow.  Really tough.  Although this is a band who the previous night played a sold out gig in their local town hall.  They have a new album in the pipeline, although no tracks are showcased tonight.   At the peak of so-called gothic metal, the UK did not really have any forerunners on the global stage.  However, Winter in Eden could easily be a future forerunner; they are tight, dynamic and powerful.  It's like seeing Tarja-era Nightwish... in a pub...

They play debut album 'The Awakening' in its entirety tonight and every track stands up.

It is music that can bring about different feelings; sometimes you can be blown away, sometimes you can feel your hairs stand up on your neck and sometimes you just can't help but bounce along.

To compare the two bands tonight would be difficult as they are both very different. So to say one was better is all down to your own personal tastes, however WIE needed to be on top of the game to follow AMUS and they did that very well.

A top drawer night from two excellent bands.

Nobody can complain on the quality of the acts, or the turnout for the bands - but you just can't help but feel this would be better served as a fringe event to the actual Goth Weekend, then be an almost separate event.  Still, these are hopefully things that will work themselves out for next April.

Kevin Morris.