Guildford’s Star Inn is home to the Live & Loud Bar – a tiny venue that hides itself behind the main eating area. Here, it plays host to a showcase of up and coming local bands most nights of the week, to get them some much needed and hard to come by exposure.

First on stage tonight are Woking’s all-girl fourpiece, Hearts Under Fire. They’re a lot rougher and grittier sounding live than they are on record, yet even without the studio polish, they’re tight as hell. Frontwoman Sian is a sassy distraction for the eye, despite her age (and short stature), and manages to put on a passionate and genuine performance.

Brighton’s MiMi Soya are a real dazzling affair. Despite it being their first ever live show, they pull it off with panache and energy, most notably due to the fact that guitarist Chris and bassist Mike are entirely unable to stand still for more than a second. Hero’s vocals initially start off shaky, most likely down to first-gig nerves, but by the third song or so she she’s pulled it together and is nigh-on CD-perfect. If you like ‘Crazy’ on their Myspace, you’ll absolutely LOVE it onstage.
That just leaves us with Punktastic Recordings newest signing, Over and Out. Even with Rossco’s voice suffering from a nasty case of the flu, they were as tight as anything tonight, giving us a sneak peak of what’s to come when they release their debut E.P. in June. There really is no other band in the UK at the moment that has 3-way harmonies as spot-on as this, especially with the way that Sam’s voice is an excellent contrast to Kyle’s. Make sure you check these guys out on the PT tour in June, because they’re going to win themselves a fair few fans across the country – that much is inevitable.

Andy R

www.myspace.com/heartsunderfire
www.myspace.com/mimisoya
www.myspace.com/overandoutmusic