This was an XFM gig in conjunction with the Alcopops label, so three bands from that stable. With this kind of billing you always sense it's going to be good value for money and so it proved. But in addition this turned out to be a very special night, a landmark in Sam Duckworth’s career as he performed for the first time ever his 'solo' material supported by a band.
Emperor Yes
3-piece, guitar/keys/lead singer plus drummer and keyboards/electro (with occasional vocal). A mix up of Darwin Deez, I Was A Cub Scout and Adem producing some highly pleasing sounds.
Radstewart
A 4 piece. 'Languid' is how you would describe the lead singer. He plays bass guitar and has two guitarists either side of him.
This band have some really strong songs and present a good mix of melodic tunes with sharper 'Modern Lovers' -esque punk. Hats off to any band who can get the words 'c**ts' and 'archipelago' in the same verse.
What this band needs is one of the four to take control and lead the unit. Either guitarist or the lead singer is capable of this. Perhaps they should consider expanding to a 5-piece by adding a bass player to allow the lead singer, languid in style, to become the focal point of the band?
Sam Duckworth
A lot of excitement from Sam himself about this gig. The first time he's performed with a band doing just his 'solo' stuff, ie the two albums, Mannequin and Amazing Grace, released under his own name rather than the 'Get Cape Wear Cape Fly' banner.
What came as a most welcome surprise was the nature of 'the band' - it wasn't just the two guitars and drums that joined him for the first 3 numbers. As he announced new brand new song 'Process’ (one to look out for on Record Store Day) a different set of musicians took the stage comprising strings, keyboard, brass and female vocalists. As the set gained further momentum there were at times 11 people on the Barfly stage all the while adding colour and more than a little rock n roll to Sam's beautifully crafted songs. The 11 included Sam's Dad who offered up a seriously good guitar intro to the last song 'Only A Fool'.
Prior to the gig, having got chatting to Sam in the bar, he had excitedly told us the band had the sound of Steely Dan. He wasn't wrong. The mash up of strings, brass and electric guitar definitely took us back to 'Can't Buy A Thrill' Dan era. Sam Duckworth, not a music icon of our times ? - only a fool would say that.
Si & Sally
