Returning to my much-loved Portland Arms on a chilly Sunday evening, we went to see a line-up of bands I hadn’t listened to or really heard of before. This was something I hadn’t done in Cambridge across my year and a half here, never as convinced by the more random student bands here compared to the ones at home. Usually, I only see bands that I have listened to at least one song from or maybe had recommended by a friend, so it was an interesting experience to go in completely blind and hear some new tunes.

But I will admit – the first band Law, Katrina we mostly (and sadly) missed due to our underestimation of how long it would take to walk to the Portland Arms on yet another dismal evening. Still, I managed to hear the very end of their set walking in. From the stage drifted a warm duet, accompanied by pleasant acoustic guitar. Catch you guys soon, for what sounded like an intriguing opening act!

“Their Instagram bio proclaimed them the ‘best band in Cambridge’, which I am almost inclined to agree with”

With the second round of support was the infamous (their Instagram bio proclaimed them the “best band in Cambridge”, which I am almost inclined to agree with) student band Den. Mostly suited and booted, the four-piece’s energy drew the majority of the evening’s crowd with their mad-cap guitar rounds and punchy bass. Getting everyone dancing with their post-punky influences, I could hear bits of Shame or Geese in their intense repeating lyrics and frantic drum solos.

But let’s face it, live music in Cambridge is oversaturated with May Ball cover outfits, jazz acts and classical orchestra groups, which only leaves me craving something slightly louder and more alternative. So maybe Den could be part of the answer to the drought of Cambridge’s student indie band scene. Nevertheless, I’m excited to see how this lot develops their sound, hopefully moving up the billing at future gigs and releasing more original music for streaming.

And with that, it was “time to bring the energy down” with Eve’s Delight. The Ipswich trio strolled onto the stage in an array of aptly mossy green outfits – the band is named after a variety of strawberries after all. The crowd was instantly faced with a break in the action of Den. Cut with soft thuds of bass and drums, the reverberating drone of classic shoegaze-style guitars and dreamy vocals filled the venue.

“The rhythmic, mellow style of the singing juxtaposes brilliantly with the heavier, wall-of-sound songs on the band’s setlist”

I specifically adore shoegaze bands or songs that combine male and female vocals, which is something Eve’s Delight use to their complete advantage. Their new single ‘Stray’ (full of yearning and returning) reminds me of the sweetness of Chapterhouse’s ‘Pearl’ with the backing vocals of Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, or Felt’s ‘Primitive Painters’, accompanied by Liz Fraser’s soothing tone. The rhythmic, mellow style of the singing juxtaposes brilliantly with the heavier, wall-of-sound songs on the band’s setlist.

The evening at The Portland Arms scratched my itch to see some indie bands play in Cambridge, and I’m convinced that Eve’s Delight is set to become a solid name on the British shoegaze scene. It’s nights like these beyond the college bars, with student bands supporting other acts in grass root venues that make the ideal evenings out of university settings. However, next time please (!) let a pub in central Cambridge put something on like this, so our poor form in the cold weather doesn’t prevent us from missing the first act.

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a letter to letters@varsity.co.uk or by using this form.