By Victoria Collins

THIS YEAR’S Resurrection festival showcased some of Merseyside’s most talented up-and-coming acts. The variety of groups performing this year offered an eclectic sound which seemed to really reflect the different sounds knocking about Liverpool at the minute.

If for some reason you never managed to make it down to The Kazimer last Saturday then firstly, shame on you! Not only did you miss a surprise visit from Steven Gerrard, you also missed an afternoon/evening of great music. Luckily for you I was there for a little over six hours (yes, six) and have kindly written down some personal favourites from the day.

The Vigilantes, a denim-clad trio whose heavy rock sound contrasted their fashion sense, were the first band to stand out for me. For some reason their harsh rock sound reminded me of Miles Kane’s, but with a bit more balls (no offence Miles). For any fans of the Black Keys, I think you’d appreciate these lads’ sound in the intro to their crowd pleaser ‘Rock and roll revolver’.

The next group to capture the Kazimer’s attention were a little scouse duo called The Wasted Generation.  Trooping through technical problems with a sense of humour, ‘Good luck wid ya mike, lad’, their suave style was enhanced by their sound, rapping with a message. And although I thought the odd chorus might break up their heavy message, their lyrics were boss in the hit ‘Moscow city chick’.

The youngest, but perhaps best of the support acts were a group of lads from Ellesmere Port. Tiro Lark appeared to have brought half of the crowd with them, but still the other half were as impressed with their sound. Songs like ‘Hollywood story lines’ encapsulate their indie pop style, and most songs appeared to emulate a Vampire Weekend vibe. These lads really stood out and the bassist’s mum informed me that they could support The Hummingbirds single-handedly – no easy feat, but I found it difficult to argue.

Apart from The Hummingbirds, The Mono Lps were one of the only bands I’d heard of on the bill. Slightly embarrassing as I often proclaim my love for the Liverpool music scene, but after a few months away at Uni it seems I’ve lost touch. Nevertheless, this lot, once described as a ‘Rock and roll riot’ are still around and better than ever. The cellist makes this group in my opinion. I feel she should feature even more but still, her presence makes the whole set up that little bit more unique. The band’s catchy songs and unique intros made them a stand out from the other groups, the different sounds from the cello, voice, bass and percussion create beautiful melodies which were unrivalled on the day. It’s unsurprising that this group have caught the attention of so many labels; they certainly sparked a response today.

Playing just before the headlining act must be a nerve-wracking feat but D2 Radio didn’t seem to flinch. Then again, it’s not like they had anything to worry about. Their percussive electro sound was completely different to anything we’d heard all day, and after a six hour stretch that was quite refreshing! Playing to a now packed crowd, the group infected The Kazimer with its dance-invoking tunes. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were at a festival as the venue came alive with a pendulum-like atmosphere.

Walking on to a stage buzzing with anticipation, The Hummingbirds seemed at home in front of a screaming crowd.

It’s been a while since I last heard these lads and I was definitely not disappointed. Still playing up to their cheeky- chappy scouse charm, the group mixed electric with acoustic to create a warm melody. The harmonies were alive with Liverpool accents and the lyrics in songs such as ‘It doesn’t really matter’ and ‘The ballad of John Doe’ really made me feel at home in my favourite city. With an almost country feel to some songs, the heavy bass drum and guitar produced a foot-stomping sound which the crowd loved.

It may be easy to link any Liverpool band with the infamous fab four, but there was a clear nod to the famous band as The Hummingbirds broke into a rendition of Day Tripper to finish off their set. Even after a long day and a long wait, these lads were worth it and the crowd showed their appreciation through countless encores which, lucky for us, were answered. Their last song was a new one, which they recently played on the Billy Butler show, and judging from the crowd’s response they’ll be playing it a lot more. As always a great set and a great atmosphere, The Hummingbirds topped off a great day for Liverpool music. On a personal note their music was a great welcome home, and their line ‘Things I’d like to say to you when I’m back in Liverpool’ stayed with me all night. Glad I was home to hear what they had to say.