Where’s Welly? Live in Worthing!

Welly: Welding their music, 100% energy and humour together, ensure their shows are ones that you won’t want to miss! They are going to be big in the suburbs!

Charles Dickens Pub, Worthing, 18 April 2025

Line-up: Welly, Christian le Surf

WELLY!

WELLY are a band that will, trust me on this, take the indie music scene by storm. Welding both their energy and humour together, their shows are ones that you won’t want to miss now or indeed in the future. They have certainly been busy recently on the road, playing all different kinds of venues around the UK, The Seaside Tour, and there are still a few dates to go! They had recently launched their first album Big In The Suburbs in Brighton at Resident Records.

I popped in early and spotted the  band being photo’d around the Dickens pool table. It was delightful meeting the guys and being introduced to everyone. Welly was demonstrating a Glasgow “welcome” to much laughter amongst his team. I said it’s nice to see a band getting on! I listed a couple of other Glasgow traits and Welly (Elliot Hall) said his Dad was from the outskirts of the city.

We moved onto the more serious discussion, Food. Anywhere to eat round here? Is there a Weatherspoon’s (naturally!) nearby? Had to break it to them gently, nope not around here, chippy nearby and various chicken places. The nearest ‘Spoons was a 25 minute walk away. They all seemed happy to hear that.

Welly, Brighton-based musician born Elliot Hall, was having his photo taken as the food discussion continued.

The group Welly is a delightful chaotic blend of personalities:

Welly – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, cowbell, keys
Hanna Witkamp – keyboards, maracas, tambourine, melodica, backing vocals
Joe Holden-Brown – guitar, backing vocals
Matt Gleeson – guitar, backing vocals
Jacob Whitear – bass, backing vocals

As a Welly “newbie”, I was looking forward to experiencing the music and the much documented fun and energy of their live gigs. I wanted to see for myself if what I had been reading was accurate, I can confirm it was! Having had the mood set impeccably by Christian le Surf  and the set dressing comprised with lights, bunting and a large roadmap with the A27. It was only natural Welly, after making their way through the sold out audience, hit the stage and torched the room with blazing “hit” after “hit” from their debut album.

There’s no barrier between us and the band tonight, no flashy effects, and thankfully no smoke machines.  What we got was honest, in your face, unapologetic music bouncing of the off brick walls. The acoustics were surprisingly sharp, and the gathered crowd and musicians, clearly buzzing from the off, all came together and added to the electric Welly atmosphere.

Welly: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They took their places on stage to the sound of The Human League’s Don’t You Want Me. A fascinating transformation of that song took place, most of the lyrics were changed and removed and the lovely lively crowd joined in. I know Jo Callis, who wrote the song, and I am sure he would have been interested to hear the variation performed tonight.

“Now for a moment of light entertainment…”

To everyone’s delight, Big In The Suburbs opened the set, the title track from the new album and they gave a taste of what was to come, and it was bloody brilliant! The set bumped along next with Home For The Weekend. There was no set list tonight apart from the track listing of the album.

I am not going to make comparisons with past or present Brit Pop or Indie outfits. What I will say is they lean more towards early Blur, think of Parklife or Country House. It’s fun to listen to and great to see the songs performed live. There are nods to those other outfits with a sprinkle of punky riffs and rhythms here and there. British music has gone a bit flat and bands like Welly will hopefully breathe some fresh air into the scene. I do love a cowbell and there was plenty tonight breaking through the guitars and bass.

Welly: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

“Who here speaks French?”‘ asked Welly which excited the crowd and were well up for a petit Franglais lesson It’s Not Like This In France! Not only were the folk packed into the venue jumping and dancing like their very lives depended on it, Welly’s interaction with us was something rarely seen these days as witnessed with both guitarist with bassist Jacob frequently running full tilt into the crowd to join in and stir up some Welly chaos.

We had a set lasting just under an hour. It was full of wild crowd pleasing numbers and various interjections from Welly with the crowd, some fine banter flowing between the band and the crowd, “Who gets the number 700 bus!”

Welly: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

We were treated to more tracks from the album including Shopping, Cul-De-Sac and the just brilliant The Roundabout Racehorse with a thumping bass line. Welly (the band as a whole) smiled, waved, and savoured the atmosphere just as much as we did.

The night was laced with humour and surprises. I guess what really makes Welly so special is a special mix of honest musical chemistry and enthusiasm, it’s important, somehow, that they look like an indie band and not a rock or punk outfit.

Welly: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

This is one of those gigs that will be talked about for a long time. Worthing and The Charles Dickens pub were indeed lucky to have Welly choose the venue for this gig. If you know the music or even if you don’t, Welly made you feel right at home. Welly showed us how a collection of different ideas, sounds and personalities in one band could charm the pants of a crowd. It was a real joy to see them all performing. The huge cheer from the crowd as they left the stage confirmed that.

This was really a Welly triumph as Welly gave it some Welly!

** 22/04 – UPDATE: NEWS – WELLY TO TOUR in October 2025, and as predicted, the venues are bigger! Brighton will see Welly return to play at CHALK on 13 October 2025

Jump in and splash about with Welly here on the WWW.

A VIDEO! Cul De Sac

Christian le Surf

Christian le Surf is a local to Worthing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Christian Le Surf: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Christian gives the impression of a player totally in control of every aspect and nuance of his instrument and performance. He set about his 30 minute set to prove it! This was a fine set from an up-and-coming performer. We witnessed a total immersion in this live performance. There is a real primal passion on display shining through some of his rockier moments and selections.

Christian Le Surf: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Chicago, The Moon! Is his latest album and his set tonight included a couple of songs from the album I Wish You Hell and the title track Chicago, The Moon!

We had some proper guitar solos in there, all tasteful and following the vocal line and then just letting it all loose, and at one such stage his sunglasses flew off somewhere! The dramatic theatre that emerges from this level of musicianship on display as he uses his sample pedal and various percussion items is evidence of his natural on stage presence and being fully immersed in his playing. It was truly breath-taking at times.

Christian Le Surf: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Christian Le Surf has a great vocal style and range, which when combined with his sublime guitar work comes across as well controlled and clear. This guy is a supremely talented musician and performer. I think he could show others on how to build up layers using a pedal! no names mentioned, he was so good at it. This performance was perfect for highlighting Christian’s virtuoso skills and at times that raw, emotional delivery.

We witnessed some truly energetic fretwork and at times a blazing attack of chords and riffs switching with an emotional, melodic approach. Along with some great lyrics and his brilliant vocal control and top-notch guitar work, we got to feel his unique brand of music.

Christian Le Surf: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Sex & Violence closed his set, an older song but clearly recognised by the audience. A slower build, giving it space to breath and develop, reaching a climax of guitars and those captured samples he made before the song started.

It was a treat to see and hear this local rock-based guitarist playing the music he clearly loves in an intimate but busy setting. This was a masterclass Mr Le Surf! Thank you.

Keep up to date with Christian here on Facebook

And Finally…

Huge thanks to Welly and the band Welly! Christian Le Surf.

Thanks to Brighton and Hove music team also Ian, Cheek Press and The Charles Dickens

Words and photos by Ian Bourn.

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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2025.

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