LIVE REVIEW: Sundara Karma, Crystal Tides, The Manatees, Engine Rooms, Southampton, 07/12/2023

Thursday had never felt so Friday in Southampton for Sundara Karma fans as the band descended on Engine Rooms with their Better Luck Next Time tour. With support from Crystal Tides and The Manatees, it was every British indie rocker’s dream.

Kicking off the night was a local band, The Manatees who played their 80s synth-pop indie blend of tunes. Despite a small stage, lead vocalist Jay Harris played his guitar emphatically. He was there to have a good time and get the crowd pumped. Of course, the band often interacted with fans by asking questions and ensuring people were having a good time before launching into bass-heavy songs that rival the main act, Sundara Karma.

As their set progressed, the songs brought more people in. The Manatees treated the crowd to Know You. It is a tune that feels like The White Stripes meets an indie pop, Billie Eilish it was a crowd-pleaser for all. Following that excitement, the band asked the crowd to participate in the next song, Dreaming In Colour. The crowd sang along with Jay and did as commanded, hey put their “hands up, reach out, dream in colour.” The band’s energy compelled the crowd to participate.  As the set came to a close, one thing became clear and that was they were humbled to be on tour with Crystal Tides and Sundara Karma. Overall, The Manatees have the potential to be huge in the next few years. 7/10

Following a great opener, Portsmouth locals Crystal Tides took to the stage. The band indulged in some theatrics with a pre-recorded techno voice to excite the crowd. It worked as the band kicked off with a heavy electronic sound that identified them as one of the South’s best indie-rockers. Although influenced by bands like Sundara Karma, it was apparent that the band leans more into Catfish and the Bottlemen. With catchy hooks and memorable lyrics, the crowd sang along and even started clapping in time to the drums during the instrumental break of Just Friends, they did not need to be told. The band was having fun during the song; it was wholesome to see.

After the song’s conclusion, vocalist Billy Gregory declared, “I wanna see you moving. I see some of you two stepping… I wanna see everybody at least two-stepping” before launching into Courtney Love. Seeing it live is something else with their harmonious, clear vocals; it was a bop and got more than just two-stepping from the crowd. So much so that fans gave a massive cheer as the band took the energy up with this song.

Next up, they launched into Detonate. The song built up, and as the chorus hit, the crowd had the time of their lives. Gregory had the audience where he wanted them – joyful and awake, as a nice extra touch, the lights would synchronise when drummer Joe Knights would groove. This song was so much fun to see live, and the band enjoyed their time up there. They were not taking themselves too seriously. To top it all off, they ended on Honey, which saluted the guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. It solidified their trajectory upward in the indie rock world. 8/10

There was calm before the storm. The energy went from 1 – 100 quickly as Sundara Karma graced the stage. With Oscar Pollock (vocalist, guitarist and songwriter), Ally Baty (lead guitarist), Dom Cordell (bassist) and Haydn Evans (drummer), the band treated fans to a mega seventeen song setlist. The show was fun for all because there were songs from Youth Is Only Fun In Retrospect (2017), Ulfilas’ Alphabet (2019) and Better Luck Next Time (2023).

Coming on in the dark without a word, the band were backlit and launched straight into She Said. The crowd sang their hearts out with Pollock. Everybody was dancing, singing and ready to go through the motions with Sundara Karma over the next hour and a half. So many people were already having a good time, but this was the tune to open a show.

The band came to pack a punch as they did not even stop but followed that tune with one of their new singles off Better Luck Next Time. With catchy riffs and lyrical hooks, Baby Blue was a newfound favourite of fans. Although it was off the album released at the end of October 2023, many people knew the words and were feeling the vibe. After a strong start, Pollock asked how the crowd was before hitting them with Miss Again. During the song, he went for it and got down to be with fans, interacting personally with them and gave the stage technician a good workout as he followed Pollock around with the lead. Fans loved it, Pollock loved it. The band then slowed things down with Illusions. 

They bought the energy down to only jump right back up by launching into the 70s rock-riffed Pain + Pleasure. The song differs from tracks off Youth Is Only Fun In Retrospect and Ulfilas’ Alphabet but is an absolute banger. There is so much going on musically, and as for staging, it was reminiscent of how The Beatles used to play in the 60s – stood up straight, head bobbing and action in the wrist whether it was intentional or not, it did look cool.

Around midway through the set, they did a few throwbacks with Loveblood, Olympia and Green Light for Greenhands. Of course, all great songs, but it was time for Pollock to show off his skills by riffing through the songs, walking around and smiling at their adoring fans.

It would not be a Sundara Karma show without the super indie track Indigo Puff. As with the opening acts, the venue poses an issue for what bands can do to dance and interact, but the band had no problems here. Their set was fitting with the lights and some haze to match the mellow and chill vibe of the song and band, the crowd swayed and sang along. No wonder Sundara Karma fans are known to be incredible; they vibed regardless of tempo and went with the flow.

Within the first few notes of Explore, the crowd went wild. So many people were having a blast with this song and others near the end of the set, most noticeably One Last Night On This Earth and Sounds Good To Me.

With the debate around encores taking place, that did not stop Sundara Karma from giving the crowd two final songs. The first song of the encore was off Better Luck Next Time, with the single of the same name. And to close the show, they had to play their most streamed song on Spotify, Flame. The song is a masterpiece, and to see it live is something else. The audience knew every word and sang along; they did the band proud. As the song progressed, the realisation was that the concert was ending. Albeit sad, the band promised to come back to Southampton.

Whether or not indie rock is your style, there is no denying the talent of the bands and proof that the South is the indie epicentre of the UK. There is so much promise with both The Manatees and The Crystal Tides. You must catch them on tour or at festivals! As for Sundara Karma, you cannot fault them. They sound as they do on record and are a quality act. 8/10

Written By: Jo Lisney