The Bedford, Balham
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Another Sunday In September rolls around and here we are again in deepest Balham underneath the infamously vicious aircon of The Bedford for another day of eclectic music. The ratio this time for me, is four bands I have never seen…and Solstice, who are everywhere, all at once it seems. The gig is sold out too, which in these stringent times is no mean feat!
WISE WOMAN
Wise Woman is a female trio with East Anglian connections, and they start the show today. “We are inviting you on a journey through hidden worlds” Anna (the one in the middle) tells us as an introduction, and a beguiling trip it is too.
We are treated to superb, mostly a cappella and perfectly pitched three-part, and occasionally unusual harmonies from the group, channelling an ancient female folk tradition. On the way we attentively listen to storytelling songs about selkies, and other myths, a lullaby, and take a journey to 14th century Norwich to discover the first book written by a woman, and there’s a song about shape-shifting women too!
Along with the trad arr. numbers, their own songs address modern problems such as the ever diminishing right to protest, and the world our children will likely inherit in this current climate of heavy manners.
What more do you need for a perfect curtain raiser to today’s adventure?
LINKS: Website | Facebook | Youtube
HERDS
Replacing Dominic Sanderson on the original bill are Nottingham band Herds, fresh from recently celebrating their twentieth anniversary, and who apparently started out as a Pink Floyd tribute band. Not that you’d know it from the high energy psych-punky noise of the first two numbers, which are in complete contrast to the previous act!
The bassist is wearing a Clash t-shirt, which is a good thing as far as I am concerned! This is definitely a “stand up and shake your thang” band , and here we are all sat around tightly packed tables, there’s no room for the boogie I’m afraid. No matter, it still works!
After the first two numbers charge through a garage-psych take on pub rock, there follows a more laid-back “exploration of the wah-wah guitar” in true 60s psychedelic mode. You can almost smell the patchouli. Soon, the keyboard player picks up a second guitar, and things get louder and more in-yer-face. Herds are a great band in a late-night boozer, I’m sure, and even at twenty to four on a Sunday afternoon it works!
FLINT MOORE
Lots of dramatic make-up, capes, red lighting, and a five-string bass? This must be the first prog band of the day! This band are big on the visuals and the sound is just as epic. The fabulous drummer supplies a thunderous backdrop for the band’s rhythmic charge through gothic soundscapes, and the band are all well into the groove, especially Madeline the bass player, who flung her long hair around with a practised panache! The singer’s voice reminds me of Eddie Vedder, which is a certainly a compliment.
There are a couple of real fans sat near me, who lead the singalong the band encourage during one of the songs. I think most of the audience was slightly bemused, but no-one headed for the bar so Flint Moore must have made the right impression.
The guitarist is playing a gorgeous cherry red guitar, possibly Epiphone, and its tone is as clear as a bell. In his scholarly cape, he looks like an escapee from Hogwarts. There be magick afoot!
The singer tells us that the band are using the opportunity to try out some new and as yet untitled songs, and given that the majority of the audience had not heard the band before, that was not a bad move.
You can always rely on Sunday In September to throw in some unusual choices for the mostly prog-centric audience that turn up to these shindigs, and here’s another one. This is high energy stuff, and I’m sure that they made some new friends today!
LINKS: Website | Facebook | YouTube
The half-time break calls for the now traditional curry at the Indian Lounge, just down the road, and very tasty it was too. Suitably sated, and we’re back at the venue. Due to this gig being sold out, along with the slightly overrun soundcheck by the headliners keeping us locked out of the room, a bit of a scrum ensues for a good seating position for the evening’s entertainment once the doors re-opened. As a result, I am now a few rows further back, but that didn’t matter.
ABRASIVE TREES
Yet another band new to me lift off with a chugging beat of splendid heaviness and doomy post-rock atmospherics. The singer is wearing a dazzling t-shirt rather than the favoured black of this oftentimes gloomy musical alleyway.
They hail from Totnes, known more for its new age affectations than for post-rock introspection, but this is from the more dynamic end of that particular ill-lit cave. Male/female harmonies make for a nice addition to the palette, and for once the guitars are not drowned in effects processed through enormous pedal boards, as is the norm with post-rock. The twin guitars, duelling in reverb heaven are backed by a meaty rhythm section that gives this band some involving dynamics, and they are an engaging proposition all round. Blummin’ good in fact!
At this point I must heap praise on event organiser Chris Parkins of London Prog Gigs, as this is a brave choice for second on the bill, to play to a room full of Solstice fans. Pop-prog of a very sunny disposition this isn’t! Most seemed to like it though. Abrasive Trees are certainly a band I’d see again.
Some songs follow one after the other with no break, unless this one being played now is one long song in parts, of course! This serves to add to the sonic experience. Singer Matt praises the aforementioned over-enthusiastic aircon “It’s really cool up here, are you cold down there?” Ha! Yes, it’s bloody freezing! It would appear that the response of whoever or whatever is controlling the fridge is to turn it up, the sadist!
LINKS: Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
SOLSTICE
As I said earlier, Solstice are the band who give the impression of being everywhere all at once, and here they are again, spreading bonhomie and good vibes. Yay! As the t-shirt says “How much joy can you take?”, and the answer is obviously “As much as you can give us!” As soon as their set starts with Morning Light, the sound of celebratory prog winds its way around the venue and escapes into the South London air, lifting up anyone who hears it.
Right, that’s the review done with, you all know what they do on stage, I’m off to dance!
…I’m back for a breather. Andy says “I hear people were complaining they were too cold earlier? I bet you’re not now!” And yes, the temperature has certainly gone up by several degrees!
There’s an underlying funkiness to Solstice’s vibe these days that makes them impossible to keep still to, and I’ve hopefully corrected the several typos made as a result of jigging about as I go! Right, I’m off again… 🙂
At one point, Andy goes a-wanderin’ with his guitar along the space in front of the stage, before ending up next to me. I doff my titfer to him, and he turns and says, “Well, I thought I’d give the band some space!” 🙂
The penultimate number A New Day was preceded by Andy answering his phone, as it was his son! Glass Jnr asked if it was a bad time, and Andy answers “Well yes, we’re in the middle of a gig!” Andy then got us all to say “Hello”, but all his son really wanted to know was “Where’s the ketchup?” 🙂 A poignant and comic moment.
There have been dozens of Solstice live reviews this year already I’m sure, and I’ve never heard them play a bad gig, so to be honest, I don’t know what more I can add that hasn’t already been said. The music coming from the stage tonight was as fulsome as ever, and all of them were on great form. The way they can tug at your heartstrings is extraordinary, and if Solstice don’t make you come over all unnecessary, something has shorted your emotional fusebox.
SETLIST
Morning Light
New Life
Guardian
Life
Wongle No9
Türük
Bulbul Tarang
Mount Ephraim
A New Day
Sacred Run
LINKS: Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
CREDITS
• Thanks and praise to Chris Parkins whose boundless enthusiasm and energy keeps this whole thing going. We’re all indebted to you! Helping Chris out on the night were Mark Gatland and Roger Marsh.
• The superb sound throughout was under the auspicious control of Jude Benjamin (afternoon set), Juan Manuel Gasco (evening set), and Loz Jackson (Solstice set). Archie Anthony did the lights, without blinding the attendees once, a rare feat these days! Kudos!
• Photos: Roger Trenwith, except Solstice first full band shot – Leon Barker, and two of Madeline from Flint Moore flinging her locks about, the shot of the sound and lights mixing desks in action, and the second full Solstice shot – Howard Rankin.
Roll on A Sunday In September 2027!
