Elliot Minor

After n extended instrumental intro, a somewhat nervous opening with ‘Jessica’ from their self-titled debut record exposed a song I had not heard before (from an album I had not heard) but was instantly recognised by the crowd whose enthusiastic response worked in calming any nerves. It was the fuse that lit an hour-long band love-in that I’ll admit I did not expect - after just two record releases and a long time away.

The guitar riff to one of my favourite songs from SOLARIS, ‘Electric High’, rang out which raised the stakes even higher. Lead-man Davies and his pals performed out of their skins, with rare enthusiasm and great skill. There’s something quite epic about the band’s songs, some would brand them with the anthemic label. The set-list comprised some of the best songs from their two records although I was disappointed that there weren’t more from SOLARIS, such as the dramatic, emotional ‘Coming Home’.

That said there was enough here to convince me that this band has such great potential. ‘I Believe’ is a narrative, mid-paced song quickens the heart rate and changes speed throughout with guitar riffs to die for. This song should have been bombarding the radio airwaves when originally released in 2009. ‘Shiver’ with its stuttered rock vibe floors me. Then the band’s new single ‘How Does It Feel’ that hints at something very special to land before too long. Then the keyboard slow-mover ‘Discover (Why The Love Hurts) that builds momentum and drama.

Title track ‘Solaris’ eventually appears with its it calm vocal and threatening instrumental backdrop followed by more songs from their debut album. This is turning nout to be a performance of memorable proportions by a band that exhibits convincing signs that they are pleased to be back. The encore includes another of my favourites from SOLARIS ‘Better Than The Courtroom’ that rattles along with a relentless rhythm and another expressive vocal.

Elliot Minor offered something distinctive with SOLARIS - rock with heart and soul - rock with melodic hooks aplenty - songs that connected with passion and emotion. This was the band that I loved back in 2009 and I love even more in 2025. And from the audience response I have to conclude that there’s many more miles for this band to travel. And here’s a tip for the band. Re-release a cleaned-up version of SOLARIS and watch it fly with a new young audience just waiting for something like this.

Set-List

Intro
Jessica
Electric High
Running Away
Time After Time
I Believe
Discover (Why The Love Hurts)
Shiver
Lucky Star
How Does It Feel
The White One Is Evil
The Liar Is You
Last Call To NYC
Solaris
Still Figuring Out

All My Life
Better Than The Courtroom
Parallel Worlds

https://www.elliotminor.com/

https://www.elliotminor.com/

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