Live Shows: Soraia, River City Rebels, The Cocktail Slippers, and The Chelsea Curve, Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 10/4/25

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Sometimes you just want a straight up rock show without any pretention. You want a fun night out in a dive bar watching rock bands playing rock music. That's exactly what was offered at Midway Cafe Saturday night with the phenomenal quadruple bill of Soraia, River City Rebels, The Cocktail Slippers, and The Chelsea Curve.

First up was Boston's own The Chelsea Curve. They were the only band of the four that I had previously seen, and they always put on a great show. Their garage rock meets mod sound was pretty much perfect to start off this night of music, and they seemed to have a slightly more punk edge to their sound than they normally do. Instead of the usual hipsters watching a set and slightly bobbing their heads, The Chelsea Curve got people up front actually dancing, which was a theme for the evening. The band played more tightly than I have ever seen them, and they and the crowd fed off each other's energy throughout the set.

Up next was The Cocktail Slippers, coming all the way from Norway. They play a glammed up version of garage rock, and were one of the best live performances I've seen all year. Their stage presence, musicianship, theatricality, and songs far surpassed playing a ninety-nine person club, and we're all lucky to have seen a band this fantastic in such a small setting. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen five people have as much fun playing as The Cocktail Slippers did Saturday night. Seeing how much we love a good cover, The Cocktail Slippers broke out two: Them's "Gloria" and Deep Purple's "Hush." If they're coming to a city near you, drop everything and go out to see them.

New England's River City Rebels played next. They're a band I know by name but don't believe I've ever listened to them. They played a version of straight up punk rock with saxophone. Despite how many ska shirts were in the crowd, River City Rebels aren't exactly a ska band, but used the sax the way X-Ray Spex or The Stooges used one. Playing only their third show of the year, they were a strong draw for many in the crowd, who were worked into a frenzy by the end of their set. It was my first River City Rebels experience, and I doubt it will be my last.

Closing out the night was Soraia. They're based out of Philadelphia and are on tour with The Cocktail Slippers, and provided a huge garage punk sound to the night. Endlessly engaging, they demanded and received the full attention of everyone at Midway Cafe Saturday night with a strong set of pure rock and roll. Soraia are one of those bands I've wanted to see live for a few years now, but it's never quite worked out. I'm happy to report they were worth the wait, and I'm strongly debating making the trek down to News Cafe in Pawtucket tonight to see them and The Cocktail Slippers again.

On Repeat...

The New Limits - "Normal Day"

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Photo via Facebook According to their Bandcamp profile, The New Limits are a "Boston ska band with a taste for rocksteady, reggae, soul, and rock n roll." They just released a single that shows off their sound perfectly. "Normal Day" is a laid back ska song dripping with soul. You know that joke that goes around every few months saying that ska is the sound that plays in a twelve year old's head when they get an extra mozzarella stick? The New Limits are the grown up version of that sound. This is ska/rocksteady for adults. It's ultra chilled out music with some of the best horns in the city. Even if you haven't listened to ska since your youth, you need to check out "Normal Day." This might help re-open the entire genre to you. The New Limits say of their latest single: " What is normal, anyway? Some of us just want a nine-to-five. Others cry at the thought. 'Normal Day' has nothing to do with quarantine and lots to do with figuri...
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The Beths - "Mother, Pray for Me"

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Photo by Annabel Kean For their latest single, New Zealand's The Beths have released "Mother, Pray for Me." This is a heartbreaking ballad consisting of Elizabeth Stokes' vocals and guitar with just the slightest hint of organ. It's a deeply personal song for Stokes, made obvious with how intimately the song comes across. It truly feels almost confessional, and it's quite simply beautiful. The Beths are most known for huge little indie rock gems perfect for bopping along to, but "Mother, Pray for Me" is quite the opposite. Stokes' vocals and lyrics are right up front on this one, and I can't imagine it any other way. Elizabeth Stokes says of her latest single: “I cried the whole time writing it. It's not really about my mother, it's about me — what I hope our relationship is, what I think it is, what it maybe actually is, and what I can or can't expect out of it.   “My mother is a first gen Indonesian immigrant, and very Catholic....
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Brennen Leigh - "Dumpster Diving"

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Photo by Lyza Renee Brennen Leigh has quickly become a favorite of ours, with her take on a classic country sound with a slight sense of humor. Her latest single, "Dumpster Diving," which she describes as a "trashy little tune," is everything we love about the musician. It's a vintage style country song that comes in at a punk like one minute, forty-eight seconds. With a chorus of "Dumpster diving, this ain't gonna last / Dumpster diving, 'cause baby you like trash..." how can you possibly resist. Leigh's latest gives us a decades old sound with modern sensibilities and her fantastic voice that's tailor made for this genre of music. It's almost like a collaboration between Loretta Lynn and Shel Silverstein, and who doesn't want to hear that? You can hear "Dumpster Diving" below. Don't You Ever Give Up On Love  is due out October 3 on Signature Sounds, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Brennen Leigh,...
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