The Craven Braves
Wimbledon Calling, London
18/07/2010

Upon initial inspection, Wimbledon Calling promises to be an interesting festival, if not a particularly successful one, with a wealth of talent programmed across a multitude of venues on this sunny Sunday. However, faced with myriad problems including venue cancellations, headliners New Young Pony Club pulling out and last minute schedule alterations, one would not be condemned for admitting this whole affair whiffs of poor organisation, and resulting disappointment.

It is fortunate, then, that The Craven Braves are not only a robust outfit who weather such chaos with grace, but also that they are as talented as they are, rendering the tussles with public transport and the hour long train journey to deepest darkest Wimbledon most thoroughly worth it. Playing an hour earlier than advertised (tsk tsk Wimbledon Calling organisers: some fans have travelled for quite some time only to find they have missed the band), the London-based four piece instantly command the vast stage at Henry J Beans.

Reminiscent of the early days of The Clash, The Craven Braves are everything an up and coming band should be: achingly talented, fiercely energetic, wonderfully modest and downright charming. As the packed, rowdy venue testifies, these boys have garnered a loyal following over the past two years, and continue to leap from strength to strength. Classic song-writing coupled with the too-rare ability to incite audience fervour render The Craven Braves a genuinely exciting live prospect: opening track ‘Love, Lies and Compromise’ gets the room bouncing, and ‘Love For London’ showcases the band’s knack for crafting killer tracks. It is the anthemic ‘Crying Shame’ that truly stands out, however: a song so good it has the potential to stop you in your tracks.

Drawing inspiration from skiffle, blues and ska, this 60s inspired band manage to create a niche all their own: fresh, but timeless, and definitely ones to watch. 
 
Annette Barlow