Jon Epworth and the Improvements

Stepping in at the last minute for cancelled Stars side-project Memphis, the Improvements brought meaty and meandering rock music, both optimistic and solid. Epworth has a great rock voice and his on-stage manner is relaxed and friendly. At times, he and his band recalled the machinegun tunes of Matt Good, but without the sneered socio-political angst. If there was such a thing as rock radio with imagination these days, would we be hearing his songs blasting out of car windows? No doubt.