The Clause live at Papillon, Southampton (22.11.2025) with The Kairos and Harvey Jay Dodgson supporting.
Only my second visit to the smart and compact old church that is Papillon. Last time was recently for Spear of Destiny and more notes on the venue here in that blog.
Bit slow getting in after a later than advertised doors opening time – slightly irritating as it is pissing down and I am not up for any long standing.
The venue is being tested a bit more tonight as it’s a sell out and is soon packed. With more dodgy knee issues I was grateful for a bar seat upstairs first, where I could hear but not see the support bands. There must always be some room up there. I could get up for a wander round the little balcony and peer through heads at the stage briefly, but I had to save the legs. What an old codger eh.
First up is near local act from Pompey, Harvey Jay Dodgson. A very promising start and very much a suited support to go with the other two guitary indie rock pop bands tonight. The place is quickly rocking and full.
A second support slot is taken by The Kairos, a band I would go and see on their own. Again, guitar based indie rock. Rather like The Clause, it’s been hard going to get a significant release. Their 2023 Better Late Than Never is their main one and I see they are inviting pre-orders on a spring 2026 EP.
I caught them first when they were supporting The Rifles in Kentish Town and later they had a support slot on the 2025 Reytons tour.
Noisy, charismatic indie pop rockers with an edge, from around Liverpool. Hardcore Cast sound at times and guitar and vocals led by Tom Dempsey. Excellent.
It’s a good package, these three bands tonight. A full Saturday night out.
It doesn’t seem that long but it’s almost exactly a year since my first Clause gig, noted here in my previous Clause blog.
This band, from Solihull, are really accelerating now. The debut LP is out: Victim of a Casual Thing. This has half new songs and half earlier singles and EP tracks. A cracking start.. I say start: it’s taken eight years or so to get this first LP out.
There is certainly that air of rowdy excitement that lets you know this is the place to be tonight. An anthemic start with the clear lyrical opening of Nothing’s As It Seems and its loud singalong chorus. The pin is out of the grenade and the party has started.
The band have more confidence than a year ago and they really know how to work the audience. They are absolutely buzzing. So much more to come as well I’d hope.
The songs have a variety of pace to them and it’s the faster poppier ones that get the biggest reaction, naturally. There are softer songs that still have a bit of guitar edge in there.
Tonight there are ten tracks from the LP and another five from singles and EPs. Weekend Millionaire and I Don’t Care are my pick of the whole lot.
We have come downstairs for The Clause – there was no way I was going to fail to savour the full atmosphere of this one, without actually venturing down the front. My alcohol pain killing is working and I last the hour or so set. Certainly a set that makes you want to go again as soon as the opportunity arises.
The backlit stage is the favoured approach – rare chances to snap a pic that isn’t a silouette view, effective though that is.
They finish with In My Element and the floor is bouncing down the front end. It is a mixed audience age-wise, with a notable contingent of grey haired gig goers who like their music and find bands like these to enjoy – without having to resort to the nostalgia market. It is so reassuring to see young bands and punters at gigs like these. All hope for youth is not lost eh.
Good luck lads. See you again soon. Pleased to see them recently announced to play Victorious Festival in Southsea on the Saturday. I will be there, all being well.
Gigs with Ivan 