It was a rainy night last night in San Francisco. The streets were shining from the streetlights reflecting off of the pavement. But as always, after the rain, the flowers begin to bloom. And so it was perfect timing for Blossoms, a band from Manchester England to make their way to the stage of the Rickshaw Stop.
“Thanks so much for playing here,” shouted a woman from the audience. To which the lead singer replied, “Who said that? Thank YOU so much for coming. We’ve never played San Francisco before”.
Not only had they never played San Francisco before but this latest string of shows has served to introduce the already very popular band in the U.K. to the United States. The polite young band from a country famous for launching the careers of so many legendary bands, hit the stage humbly and quietly then began to string one hit song after the next, channeling effortlessly songs that could be compared to British Invasion rock from the 60s and 70s.
Blossoms have already earned rave critical comparisons to everyone from Arctic Monkeys to Depeche Mode to The Doors. “Fundamentally we want to be a great pop band,” says front man Tom Ogden. “We’re influenced by the present as much as the past and we want to sound as modern as we can. We want to sound like a band who could only ever exist now, not then.”
The band is comprised of Josh Dewhurt on guitar, Myles Kellock on the keys, Charlie Salt on bass and Joe Donovan on drums. The lead singer Ogden’s smooth crooneresque voice and wavy long brown hair brings us back to a time in rock n’ roll history famous for go-go boots, italian suits and scooters, a period in time that is surely missed by the many that showed up to show their support at the Rickshaw Stop.
The place was smokey, standing room only and packed with an audience smitten with what they were witnessing on stage. It’s really no wonder that this club is so popular in San Francisco, the bookers have a penchant for discovering bands that are destined for greatness. In fact many of the bands that have showcased on this stage have graduated to stadiums and arenas not only across the country but also the world.
Blossoms, although a very young band, have what it takes to get to that level. They’ve already proven it in their homeland, all they need is just a little time for the buzz to make it’s way across the Atlantic and into North America.
Set List
At Most A Kiss
Cut Me And I’ll Bleed
Blow
Smashed Pianos
Getaway
Honey Sweet
Blown Rose
Texia
Deep Grass
Charlemagne
