- Live Reviews
My first gig of the year and, in one of my favourite intimate venues. The Junction 2 in Cambridge is a delightfully small, acoustically fine theatre and just ideal for tonight’s soundscape of a concert.
Fuzzy Lights actually hail from Cambridge itself but, should be a lot better known on the UK music scene. The band really grew into their set last night and. seem increasingly confident every time I see them. With a catalogue of fine songs that as the set progresses, just seep into the mind as you find yourself becoming more and more engrossed.
The band hope to record a new album this year in the meantime, their fine debut album Twin Feathers released in 2010 is still available as is more music on their Bandcamp site. The band’s website is here .
- Live Reviews
BSP are taking a break from their usual incessant touring schedule for the first half of 2012 but are hosting a monthly club night in Brighton under the title 'Krankenhaus', billed as 'Nocturnal music and arts for all sexes and ethnic profiles'.
A prompt 8.20 start saw BSP perform one of their increasingly renowned acoustic sets. In truth 'acoustic' isn't quite the correct description as the band were fully 'plugged in' but the six song set comprised a selection of laid back numbers. Delivering their songs in this style showcases this band in a different way and emphasises the craft in their song writing and musicianship, an aspect that is easily and frequently overlooked as commentary so often focuses on the anarchic nature of their live performances.
Y Niwi sadly had to cancel so local band Savages played a support set. This was their first ever gig as a band though it was clear these four girls were no newcomers to the stage. With classic guitar, bass, drums and vocal line-up the band played some rockin tunes and the fronting lady certainly could sing.
Next up was Jock Scott, rapidly becoming a fixture at BSP events. Jock's lyrical and 'tongue-in-cheek angst' poetry was tonight accompanied by three of the band on drum, guitar and keys providing an entertaining additional dimension for this humorous interlude.
The Haunt is not a big venue, so with little option than to wander to the well-stocked merch table, the crowd remained largely packed into the main auditorium so there was a real feeling of camaraderie and we certainly renewed acquaintance with a number of people we'd only hitherto met at BSP events. Everyone was certainly up for it.
Consequently the main BSP set was a thoroughly enjoyable canter through the Kranknhaus EP and the Do You Like Rock Music album, albeit not played in order. With the band reverting to their traditional full-on style any newcomers that happened to be there (not sure there were many) were witnessing the band in their pomp.
A note on the bar arrangements - Having supped tins of Stella on the way to the gig a tin of Orangeboom was not a great initial choice so we were forced to move on to highly- priced bottles of Calsberg Export. On the plus side the hour immediately after the band left the stage was Happy Hour so the vodka flowed, easing us into the club night phase that saw BSP guitarist Noble attempting manfully to organise a drunken crowd in a mass ping-pong game. Completed Rallys: 1/10, Noble's efforts: 10/10, Bizarre Fun: 10/10.
Each of the ensuing five nights (Feb to June) promise to comprise different sets. Having today just realised I have 94 BSP songs on my i-pod my mouth is watering already!
Si
Future dates and tickets here
- Live Reviews
My final gig of the year on Saturday night - White Lies in the shed at Wembley Arena. First shock was that I drove there and it only took 1hr 10 minutes from the
First up on stage was The Chevin: I loved them, very similar to Boxer Rebellion’s first album. Upbeat and with a good on stage presence,
Duke Spirit: loud and in your face with a dynamic lead singer. this band have been around far longer then White Lies, I guess will less hit songs, I won
They sure do rock though!
- Live Reviews
Its been a long summer...and Fall and now winter is approaching so when a promoter friend invited me to join him and some friends at his last big show of the year, the timing was perfect.
Having been a fan of the Wye Oak cd "Civilian" for some time, and having missed the band the last two times they appeared in Toronto, I knew I had to get to this show early enough to see how they would do. The venue, our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs arena, the Air Canada Center, would not be your first choice to witness this two piece but it turns out that with the strength of Jenn Wasner's voice and the power of this indie/folk/noise pop band, you need not be concerned. The songs i loved so much from the new cd sound even better live, even here! As their set progressed....I could see Wye Oak's "Civilian" moving higher in my top tens. My only regret is that I had not seen them the last two times they were here...but will be planning to see them again soon!
Neko Case is nice enough to visit us in Toronto often. She bounces onto the stage with her full band, including Calexico's John Covertino on drums, as comfortable and alluring as she has ever been. Her powerful voice, brilliant band, and wit displayed in conversations between her and her muse, Kelly...filled the arena setting with a perfect set. Hre set consisted of plenty of classics to keep everyone happy but also reminded everyone that she had not produced a solo album since 2009. Those concerns drifted away with the addition on two new songs that sounded incredible as well as a gorgeous cover of The Awkward Stage's "We Dreamt of Houses" all of which I hope make the new cut for the new cd as all the new "songs are splendid!.
- Live Reviews
Tom Ravenscroft’s Christmas Party – Corsica Studios,
A trip to the wilds of south
Walking insi
The line-up was put together by Tom Ravenscroft to feature some of his favourite artists from his BBC 6music show (essential listening for me – if you’ve missed it so far catch it on Friday nights 9-12pm). The smaller of the two rooms hosted the electronic / dance acts, starting off with a great set by Naïve Machine. This duo played some tracks of their ‘Robot Ramification’ EP, and some stuff I didn’t know, through possibly the lou
We missed Paul White as we were in the other room, but we did catch some of Slugabed’s set, which inspired the most dancing of the evening – and not just from us!
First up in the main room were Maria & the Mirrors – a trio featuring 2 women, and a bloke banging away at the drums in what appeared to be a Captain Caveman outfit. Even to my eclectic ears they were a bit of racket, but things improved when Sea Pinks arrived. Another trio, with the frontman sporting a fetching Where’s Wally jumper (was it actually fancy dress and nobody told us?) they played spiky, jangly indie guitar music.
Next up were Peter and Kerry, the highlight of the evening. Their mixture of interesting melodies and caustic lyrics really work well, especially when the pair are singing together. My favourite track of theirs, ‘Knees’, soun
Apparently Tom is planning more of these nights next year – if they’re as good as this (and as good value – a fiver for 8 acts) then I recommend you try one out.
Russell
- Live Reviews
A chilly damp Tuesday night at the end of November does not usually see us jumping for joy at the prospect of heading out into the night but, The Lovely Eggs are err, just lovely and it’s another excellent night from the local promoters, Crushing Death and Grief. A bit more…poppy perhaps than their most recent shows, but still experimental and high quality.
Violet Woods started, just their second show – mind, their first was a support in front of hundreds of people. Ma
Anguish Sandwich are from
The Lovely Eggs have a short 45 minute headline spot but, put their all into it. Hailing from
I can safely say that The lovely Eggs (who I first discovered via a U.S. NPR SXSW podcast) are a unique band with a bright future ahead, hopefully.
Kevin Hand & Pete
- Live Reviews
Not sure if it is me but, are headlining bands coming on later at London shows at the moment?
Lanterns On The Lake, were on stage at 9.50pm last night following, a set from The Pattern Theory. The latter being a 3 piece, all in bright shiny gold jackets, playing a mix of post rock, prog rock and jazz for forty five minutes.
Lanterns On The Lake are a sexet from Newcastle, led by Megan Hickey on vocals and guitar. and they all just about managed to fit on the tiny Lexington stage. The band have a fine album and a couple of eps to their recorded credit so far and the Lexington crowd on this Tuesday night, get over the hours’ worth of those records.
Lanterns on The Lake who, although looking a bit tried, delivered an uplifting set. Louder and rawer than on record the show was short but superb and had me thinking, Twelve months down the road, headlining, say, The Koko or Shepherds Bush Empire, with lights and cinematic backdrops, they will be a sight and sound to behold. Just catch them now whilst you still can in the smaller venues!
Pete
- Live Reviews
Jonathan Wilson – Hoxton Square Bar and Restaurant (Monday 21 November 2011)
You may never have heard of Jonathan Wilson. But a lot of the bands you listen to have heard of him. In fact many of them know him very well. His CV, if he had one, would sound like a Who’s Who of American singer-songwriters and folk musicians. He’s performed with and/or produced a huge range of musicians including J Tillman of Fleet Foxes, Roy Harper, Crosby Stills and Nash and Jackson Browne. Most recently he supported Wilco on their European tour, and he is credited with revitalising the
Which all in all makes it quite extraordinary to see him play his own album – Gentle Spirit – in a tiny room in Hoxton with barely 100 people. Someone with his credentials, you think, might be used to greater things, but there was no sign of anything but pleasure as he played a ninety minute set to a receptive audience.
Gentle Spirit has been described by Kitty Empire in the Observer as 'like getting a free reflexology treatment and a small dose of diazepam combined'. It is certainly relaxing, with repetitive lyrics, lengthy guitar solos, and a summery haze that forces you to slow down, whatever you might be doing.
Live, however, the music is far from sleepy. With an extra guitarist, a bassist, a drummer and a keyboardist joining Jonathan Wilson on the tiny stage, the sound is strong and loud. With the heat of the small room, and the unique sound of a Mellotron accompanying many tracks, I was transported to an imaginary sweaty beachsi
It was a won
Jonathan Wilson will return to
Louise Neilan
- Live Reviews
Let me take you to two concerts by the same artist, playing the same album, thirty five years apart.
Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive
Wembley Empire Pool – Saturday 23 October 1976
Cambridge Corn Exchange – Saturday 12 November 2011
Well what can I remember of that night back in 1976. Peter Frampton was at the height of his worldwide fame. Almost every home in the western world that loved rock music and owned a record deck, would have had a copy of ‘Frampton Comes Alive’ in their collection.
Wembley Empire Pool (now Arena) was packed (imagine the scene with the Artic Monkeys playing the same venue today). More long hair in the place in those days, sweet smoke (that’s not dry ice) filled the place. Support was keyboard maestro Garry Wright ex- Spooky Tooth, who had a popular album out at the time called Dream Weaver but Frampton got all the God like treatment. A full on 70’s Rock Show and a band in their prime. Ticket price £2.40 (yes, Two Pounds and Forty Pence).
Fast forward Thirty Five years, No support this time but a three hour show none the less. Peter has bass player Stanley Sheldon in the band who would have been at that Wembley show as well. Peter’s long blonde curls have gone, receding hairline and turning grey like most of the (this time around, seated) audience from that era, he still plays a mean guitar.
The almost two hours Frampton Comes Alive section of the shows flashes by like a time machine, with some great video backdrops from that 70’s peak. The 2011 band gels extremely well, Adam Lester on guitar is a great foil for Mr Frampton and the album is enthusiastically reproduced. A great two hours!
The second set is a bit patchy, but there is a Humble Pie highlight, a decent cover of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun and some great musicianship throughout and, a few years on, its £27.50 for the ticket.
Pete
- Live Reviews
Cate le Bon kicks off proceeding tonight. a lovely lady, great voice, great songs and a second album surely just around the corner??? Purely on eclectic guitar with an attentive audience, this was a very nice opening set.
St.Vincent, with band (and ad
A well drilled and extremely tight musical unit
Mark Stewart popped up to sing along to the Pop Group’s ‘ She Is Beyond Good and Evil’ which left Annie seemingly awe struck herself and tempted to veer left and play the rest of the Y album!
This was a tremendous show and
Set
1.Surgeon
2.Cheerlea
3.Save Me From What I Want
4.Actor Out of Work
5.Chloe in the Afternoon
6.Dilettante
7.Cruel
8.Just The Same But Brand New
9.Champagne Year
10.Neutered Fruit
11.Strange Mercy
12.She Is Beyond Good and Evil ( Mark Stewart Pop Group)
13.Northern Lights
14.Year of the Tiger
15.Marrow
Encore:
16.The Party
17.Your Lips Are Red
- Live Reviews
A set lasting two hours and 15 minutes, not bad for a band who have been around in various guises, for over 40 years. Yes provi
Central focus a wiry Steve Howe, as technical and spectacular on guitar as ever . Chris Squire seems to morph more into Gene Simmons each time I see him. A giant of a man, he stomps and commands the stage with various bass guitars (one upright) churning out a menacing vibe. That’s an i
- Live Reviews
I have never been a close follower of Turin Brakes in
This was the first night of a 10th anniversary
Soon into the groove the next fifty minutes were enjoyed by both the crowd and the band.
This formed the first part of the set and after returning to the stage the band continued for another hour or so, turning out song after song for the back catalogue and a new ep.
The Monday Blues are quickly consigned to the bin!
Pete
