- Live Reviews
Ahead of the release of their debut album in April, indie-pop outfit Eliza and the Bear are embarking on one of those UK tours that takes them to all the towns that their unlikely to visit again any time soon. Who else really needs to do a show in Falmouth? Saturday (January 23rd) saw the turn of St Albans, Hertfordshire at the premier city venue, The Horn. Enter Shikari, Friendly Fires and The Subways just a handful of local bands that have graced the stage here in previous years.
The first sold out show of the tour saw them play through what’s bound to be every song from their debut album to a lively crowd of 170 very sweaty people. Predominately overly sweaty teenagers in the midst of their ‘every gig is the greatest gig I’ve ever been to’ phase. In this case, they would have a good point though.
Opening with previous EP hits, ‘Lion’s Heart’ and ‘Light It Up’, they strolled through their set with relevant ease. Needless to say they’re a slick operation, with each song more perfected than the last. It’s easy to draw comparisons to Mumford & Sons and The Lumineerswith their upbeat, folky, indie-pop sound, but don’t be put off. Whilst their lyrically they may not shake you to your core, unless your 19 or younger, they’ve still got some foot stomping woah-ohs in their locker that are well worth a listen. It’s merit to them that they are able to produce a number of high quality songs whilst other bands around them struggle to imitate anything near as good.
Soaking up all the energy from the crowd, their penultimate song saw them break out in to the more familiar ‘Friends’ before concluding with a crowd pleasing ‘It Gets Cold’. If tonight’s show is anything to go by these boys are going to be big, so see them now as it’s unlikely you’ll ever see them in such a small venue again.
Support came from teenage solo act Kloe, and Slowlights. Missed the latter, the former- not so good.
9/11
By @thejoeeley
- Live Reviews
On the drive in from Halifax towards the pretty little market town of Hebden Bridge, the full scale of the devastation caused by this winter’s floods could only be imagined by the thousands of sandbags still piled up along the side of the road. Thankfully, the fabulous Trades Club was unaffected, being enough distance from the river that burst it’s banks, aswell as being on a first floor position.
Add this to the fact we were still digesting the terrible news of Bowie’s passing, and it’s fair to say we were in desparate need of some entertainment and cheering up. Personally, I couldn’t think of a better start to the gigging year than the artists who created 2 of my top 10 albums of 2015.
Essentially, this was the same 4 people on stage for both performances, with Rozi and Kate swapping bass guitar when it was their turn in the spotlight, supplemented with Neil on electric guitar lead and Jamie on drums.
Rozi, wrapped up like a polar bear, started the show quietly and without fanfare, and this was politely appreciated by the cold audience. First song from last years magnificent Friend album, Actually, was next up and the live version was given a new dimension with the guitar effects pedal and a more lively electric feel. Rozi was her usual subtly eccentric self, telling a story about the last time her usual band were in town, they bought a second hand coat from one of the shops and they now pass it around for 2 weeks at a a time. After wishing the town good luck with its clean up effort and recovery, she said goodbye and hoped we enjoyed the main act who were waiting upstairs....
10 minutes later of so, the same 4 wandered back on stage, this time with Kate front an centre with a banjo strapped on, and we were treated to an hour or so of last years gorgeous release Bashed Out.
Obvious highlight was single Silver John, although Magic Spell, Spores All Settling, Vitamins and Misunderstanding ran it close in what was like a beautiful recital in an increasingly warm club. Even the girls took a couple of layers off towards the end, although this just accentuated the bitter cold night as we spilled out into it.
It was a lovely start to this challenging year so far, and if the rest of the year carries on in this vein, it will be one to remember.
Keith
- Live Reviews
First gig of the year, a free one at the excellent pub venue The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch, curated by DIY Music.
As a new year comes around you begin to wonder if we should cut down on the number of gigs we go to but all sense of pulling back on the gig-going was dispelled on the first crashing guitar chord of 3-strong band Trudy.
Lead singer wore a Strokes T-shirt. The opener to the first number suggested we were in for a Girl Band/Rolo Tomassi scream-fest, but things mellowed slightly as this band produced an excellent set with overtones of various vocal styles from Bombay Bicycle Club to Elvis. The lead singer/guitarist could perhaps be best summed up as an angry Sweet Baboo. Excellent harmonies too from the bass player and sticks-man who contributed to the vocals throughout.
Next up was Willy J Healy, accompanied by guitar, bass and drums. Willy introduced himself slightly lamely as Willy J Healy & Friends 'because we haven't thought of a band name yet'. But a together band they certainly are in Maccabees/Strokes style. Willy gave humorous ad-libs between songs. Highlight was Subterraneans, s song with excellent slide guitar.
Bruising took the stage next. With an energetic female lead singer they put you in mind of Joy Formidable. Their jerky rhythms made this band a female Brakes. Downside was the highly repetitive guitar riff from the guitarist who seemed reluctant to use anything other the top end of the fret board.
Finally the main attraction Diet Cig. A two piece from New York State. Think White Stripes in reverse. Drummer Noah Bowman took control of the room from the first beat of the set, providing the backbone throughout. The female singer Alex Luciano belted out her vocal in the style of Molly from Alvvays resulting in this pair producing an excellent blend of rockin tunes, culminating with her crowd surfing while playing her guitar during the closing number
Si n Sally
- Live Reviews
On the backdrop for tonight's show is a depiction of the Michael Faraday Memorial, which for those unfamiliar with it is a large steel box consisting of shaped panels built in the 1960's in commemoration of Michael Faraday whose inventions resulted in practical uses of electricity. The memorial is situated outside the Elephant & Castle tube station in South London and Mr Faraday was born nearby. The location is also significant to The Maccabees as their latest chart-topping album 'Marks to Prove It' was recorded at their studio which is also found in the area.
For the first night of this UK tour the band come onstage to a mix of screams and cheers (indicating the age and mix of sexes in the audience) and crash straight into the title track of the new album as an arc of blue strobes light the venue and give the memorial an eerie deep blue calming glow which is in contrast to the general chaos which is happening in the crowd.
The inclusion of a trumpet on 'Feel to Follow' and a slowed introduction to 'Something Like Happiness' introduces a more subtle feel compared with the recorded versions and show that The Maccabees have more in their locker than just the kick and rush of some other indie guitar bands. Another thing which differentiates them is the vocals of softly-spoken Orlando Weeks who thanks us for coming ,“ this is the first chance we've had to play these tracks in front of our fans, Maccabees fans”. His vocal on 'Spit It Out' starts as a whisper and gradually builds and builds until the triple guitars and hefty, driven drumming by Sam Doyle end the track as a full blown thrash-out. 'Silence' and ' River Song' two tracks from the latest album get their live debut tonight and are given a solid reaction from the crowd, who save their best sing-alongs for the older material such as 'Precious Time', 'No Kind Words' and 'Can You Give It'.
For the encore there's the contrast of the folky strumming of 'Toothpaste Kisses' and the instantly recognisable punchy, staccato introduction to 'Pelican' which finishes the night with a final bout of chaos in the crowd, and Mr Faraday's inventions and memorial glowing.
Alisdair Whyte
- Live Reviews
This gig was Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation’s first ever UK show. The Swedish psyc-popsters play out tonight in Dalston promoting single ‘Take Me Beyond’ and forthcoming album ‘Horse Dance’, both out now. Chatting to a friend before the gig, having just interviewed the band he said how refreshing JO+L are; wide eyed optimism, ambition and refreshing enthusiasm in promoting their new material.
Support act 'The Wharves' were a true joy. Clearly well-rehearsed and technically tight, the three girls have a close rapport with one another. 'Warpaint' like intricate finger picking guitar and encaptivating vocal harmonies make it hard to decipher who is actually singing. They are together in their sound, their only hesitation coming between songs when bass player Gemma Fleet endearingly chats merchandise and encourages the crowd to step forward, to which we are more than obliged.
The lights dimmed for the headliners to almost pitch black darkness with just the bands own projections filling the stage, the mood changing significantly from the light hearted and well lit girl trio support with the expectation of something mesmerising. For the next half hour we were being asked to get lost in their world and go on a journey. After a nervy start due to some technical issues the band found their stride, lead singer Josefin Öhrn standing almost motionless with trade mark hair swept across her face, the most animation coming from their lead guitarist Fredrik Joelson with Will Sergeant style military attire.
The band's sound is entrancing, driving psychedelic rock. I saw comparisons with my London psych favourites 'TOY' and fellow Swede's 'Goat'; who the band has toured their homeland with. Tribal style chanting with Incoherently low mix vocals over ambient driving guitars is a great sound and JO+L had all the pieces in place that gave the aforementioned carte blanch to let an audience let go and become transfixed in a sound.
Unfortunately tonight I just didn't get to that place. I couldn't find traction; their ambition was defeated by the intimate nature of the Shacklewell where the attentive audience's gratitude was shown with muted applause and polite mumbling. If this was the eleventh hour at a festival I could be there with them and I feel a little cheated I'm not. New single 'Take me Beyond' was the definite show stopper and for me shone as the more pop evoked elements of this clearly talented band could be seen... despite the low lighting.
Tom
- Live Reviews
When my 14 year old daughter asked me to book tickets for the gig way back in July, I did so slightly ignorant to the appeal or indeed popularity of Chvrches and who their following actually were.
Well roll on several months, and most of the tour is sold out, including 2 nights at Manchester’s 2000 capacity Albert Hall. One of Manchester’s newest venues, and in my opinion one of their best due to the height of the stage which affords a great view from wherever you may stand.
The night was cold, wet and dark (is there any other kind in Manchester ?) but the atmosphere inside the venue was akin to a Christmas party night with large groups of guys and girls using this gig as the start of a heavy weekend.
When the diminutive Lauren Mayberry took centre stage just after 9pm, against a black backdrop studded with white light pinpricks, the crowd went berserk, and this was rewarded with Never Ending Circles from second album Every open Eye. Although not a huge departure from debut album The Bones of What You Believe, the synth pop format just seems expanded and more, er, sythny, but with just as many fabulous tunes.
We Sink was the next tune, from debut album, and the noise was turned up a notch as the familiarity of the song really got the dance floor bouncing.
The simple stage arrangement - just 2 sets of keyboards/laptops stage left and right manned by fellow Scots Iain Cook and Martin Doherty was occasionally supplemented by a mobile drum kit which Lauren played.
The band alternated songs between their 2 albums, and the talk with the crowd was minimal I guess not to interrupt the party atmosphere, although when Lauren brought a slushy on stage with her towards the end, she was encouraged to down it in one.
Just an hour into the performance and the band left the stage, but seemingly not a soul left as we hadn’t yet heard the favourite tune yet...
First encore was the rather downbeat and sombre Afterglow, which Lauren almost apologised for, before launching into everyones favourite The Mother We Share and the crowd made the most of it as we knew it was the last tune of the night.
A genuinely joyous night of great pop tunes, enjoyed by everyone young and old, and not a guitar in sight...
Keith
- Live Reviews
It’s not often that a true rock legend ventures into the Essex Republic, as traditionally with London on the doorstep, the fans will travel to you there. However, for reasons that became clear later, this legendary guitar wizard brought his all-conquering band of fabled musicians across the border to a sold out audience of ardent fans.
The tour is supporting the release of new album Shockwave Supernova, but the 2 hour plus set delivered such a vast compliment of his 15 album catalogue that no fan left until the final fret refrain of his Surfing with the Alien encore. Satriani’s talent and, multiple Grammy nominations, afford him the opportunity and luxury of being able to gather an impressive plethora of rocks finest musicians into the band. Drummer Marco Minnemann and bassist Bryan Beller of Aristocrat’s fame and the outrageously talented Mike Keneally providing orchestral duels with Joe to the obvious delight of the gathered masses.
The sight of Keneally’s talent for multitasking guitar and two keyboards will live long in the memory. A five minute solo from drummer Minnemann, receiving the biggest cheer this night, was stick perfect and epitomised the level of musicianship on view. Joe himself, as you would expect is a true fretwork expert, but was kept honest and on his game by the quality of his band. His axe battles with Keneally often declared a draw in track after track of testing solos.
The crowd on the night was clearly engaged and Satriani’s easy manner with them was well received especially when he told tales of the tracks and the band, particular cheer went up for the revelation that his long-term manager was Southend born and bred, and by all accounts the reason for this particular venue being chosen for the latter end of the tour. A tour that had started mid-September in France and, with three dates to follow this, all the band was clearly enjoying the bonhomie of life on the road playing to appreciative crowds.
The set carried great visuals projected on a tri split backdrop, especially complimenting the interstellar tracks Crystal Planet and Surfing with the alien. Not many tours this year are going to have this level of quality and assured musicianship. With three gigs left, including the tour finale at the Apollo in Hammersmith, I assure you that it will be one of the finest rock nights you could treat yourself to if you grab yourself and your mates a night out with these rock ambassadors.
Final tour dates remaining are Bristol Colston Hall 8th Nov, Plymouth Guildhall 9th Nov & the tour finale at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith London on 10th Nov
Iain @docswallow
Set List:
SHOCKWAVE SUPERNOVA
FLYING IN A BLUE DREAM
ICE 9
CRYSTAL PLANET
NOT OF THIS EARTH
ON PEREGRINE WINGS
FRIENDS
TIME
IF I COULD FLY
BUTTERFLY AND ZEBRA
IF THERE IS NO HEAVEN
CATACLYSMIC
CRAZY JOEY
ALL OF MY LIFE
LUMINOUS FLESH GIANTS
ALWAYS WITH ME ALWAYS WITH YOU
GOD IS CRYING
GOODBYE SUPERNOVA
SATCH BOOGIE
BIG BAD MOON
(Encore)
SURFING WITH THE ALIEN
- Live Reviews
It’s midweek in London, the weekend is poking it’s head above the horizon and a packed out Brixton Academy crowd is here to pay homage to a band so fine, that they really can’t contain their excitement that they like thousands of others are in the know about Death Cab for Cutie, whilst the rest of the millions are still watching X Factor!
That general crowd buzz was evident from the off, which meant that the crowd noise for the Seattle based based support Chastity Belt seemed at times louder than this fine 4-piece themselves!
Chastity Belt really look to have a fine future ahead with their rough-edged lo-fi tunes. Keep an eye on this outfit.
9pm and the 5-piece Death Cab for Cutie take to the stage, which they occupy for the next two hours with 24 songs from their vast and ever-growing catalogue of songs.
Brixton is really a second home for these guys, the 5th time Ben Gibbard announces they have played the venue and the whole gig really does feel like a homecoming. The band are full of fire and passion, which after a year on the road and on their third visit to the UK in 2015, is admirable indeed.
It’s impossible to highlight one song over the other, because the set is just spot on from the opener ‘The New Year’ to closer ‘Transatlanticism’. The show is played a breakneck speed one song after the ever with the odd pause for breath and a quick chat.
The mid set introduction of ‘Summer Skin’ went down a storm as did the acoustic solo rendition of ‘I will follow you into the Dark’ which, Ben dedicated to those present who had been at Glastonbury this year but, was a song they could not fit into their set on the day.
A truly magnificent show, you really felt they could have played on for another couple of hours at least!
Pete
Set-List
The New Year
Crooked Teeth
Why You'd Want to Live Here
Photobooth
Black Sun
The Ghosts of Beverly Drive
Grapevine Fires
Little Wanderer
Company Calls
Pictures in an Exhibition
You've Haunted Me All My Life
Summer Skin
I Will Follow You Into the Dark
I Will Possess Your Heart
El Dorado
You Are a Tourist
Doors Unlocked and Open
Cath...
Soul Meets Body
Bixby Canyon Bridge
Encore:
Brothers on a Hotel Bed
No Room in Frame
Marching Bands of Manhattan
Transatlanticism
- Live Reviews
Whether it was the clocks going back, the cold autumnal weather or the fact that it was a dark, wet Monday night, the thought of venturing out to the Plug in Sheffield was less than appealing.
All thoughts of the roaring fire back home however were extinguished the second the hairy beanpole launched into the beautiful I Love You, Honeybear from the same titled second album released earlier this year. And what a voice this guy has....no wonder he left the drums behind with Fleet Foxes and headed stage front and centre. The clarity, power and sheer beauty of his output sounds even richer and fully formed live than it does on record.
Strange Encounter from the same album is led into directly following the opening track, and its the end of this song before the sold out audience is addressed......”thanks you lovely baby faced people”..
True Affection is the next track, all bizarre dance moves and falling to the knees, before the first track from debut album (from this Nom de Plume anyway) is played. Only Son Of A Ladiesman from Fear Fun goes down really well, as the audience sings along and we all appreciate the fabulous backing band. Mr Tillman alternates between vocals only, and acoustic guitar and vocals and his banter increases as the night goes on. Apparently he couldn’t stay in Manchester last night due to all the hotels being full due to the Manchester derby......”Does anyone here give a damn what I’m talking about ???!!”........No was the answer.....Americans and football eh ?
The “horrible little song” Im Writing A Novel is up next, before the gorgeous Chateau Lobby No.4 almost brings down the house.
Last track for me for the night (which clown put a 7am meeting in my diary for the morning ??) was promising to “turn it up a notch”..........”i was being ironic - haven’t you lot got a dry sense of humour ?!” was the simply stunning Bored in the USA, just voice and piano, and the canned laughter backing track. I don’t think the night could have improved from this point.
So not only content with releasing one of the albums of the year, his live show is also one of the most entertaining of the year.
Bless you Father John Misty.
Keith
- Live Reviews
Tonight's show was advertised as intimate (we all know that this is venue-speak for small). In fact the Venue 2 above the Hare & Hounds is so intimate that the band emerge from a dressing room at the back of the room to carve a path through the 150 capacity audience to reach the stage, to play the tougher, angrier songs from her 'Welcome Back To Milk' (apparently a reference to utilising her lactose intolerance as a constipation cure).
Beth Jeans Houghton is backed by a traditional rock band line-up of two guitars, bass and drummer. The band kicks into 'If You're Legal' and then straight into the tribal drums and whoozy guitars of 'Mr Hyde' (surely one of the songs of the year?) as a double whammy to start the set. Next is 'Black Flag' which slides and grinds its way out of the PA as Beth stalks and prowls around the stage like a peroxided panther. Although she's clearly struggling with a heavy cold tonight (for which she apologises), she's still an interesting and intimidating stage presence.
There are three new tracks played tonight, 'Eden', 'Buddy' and 'Swallow' all of which are a continuation of the Du Blonde sound and fit neatly into the rest of the set, which ends tonight as does the album with 'Isn't it Wild'. However as a twist on the album version Beth leaves the stage to let the band finish the track with a big rock out. Mike Lindsay of Tunng having been discharged from the folktronica of his day job releases his inner guitar rock god throwing the full set of soloing shapes as the band build to a climatic finish.
For the encore Beth says they're going to try a cover version, and those of us of a certain musical age and quality recognise the intro “whoo, whoo, whoo's” of Pixies 'Where Is My Mind?' when we hear it which the rocking band blast through for a great finish.
Alisdair Whyte
- Live Reviews
The largest capacity indoor London show for The Tallest Man On Earth had the man himself lost for words when chatting between songs. On the road for most of the year, the band had over 70 shows under their belt by the time they returned to London last night.
The show was kicked off by Megafaun man, Phil Cook, who brought the blues with him all the way from North Carolina. A man who has been in the music business for over 20 years has only this year, released his first solo album.
You can tell the confidence of an artist when he stops mid song early on in the set, for the crowd to sing the next line and Phil is quite rightly brimming with confidence. An excellent album in ‘Southland Mission’ and an excellent 45 minutes set.
Kristian Matsson a.k.a. The Tallest Man On Earth literally bounced onto the stage at 9.15pm and left in triumph at 11pm. He actually had so much pent up energy inside him that Kristian looked like he had been watching Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands, for some of those moves! Early on it was clear that this was one of those gigs that was going to be something special.
The twenty plus song set performed for the most part by a four-piece band arranged on a platform behind the main man, flew by with hardly time to draw breath and pretty much all albums and EPs were covered.
There was a genuine kinship amongst the entire band. A prolific song writer with a unique voice and a class guitarist (and what an array of guitars The Tallest Man On Earth had to hand).
The showed ended with the title track from new album ‘Dark Bird is Home’ which highlighted all the aspects for the various parts of the unit. Sweet and gentle acoustic beginning and the thunder crack as the band came in midway through the song.
Still a young man, there is much more to come from this guy yet. A tremendous show.
Pete
- Live Reviews
Presumably, a lack of ticket sales had shunted tonight's gig to the games room at the back of the Brudenell, as a trio of local bands had taken centre stage in the main room, and had pulled in a tidy crowd.
Bruce Soord (main man from The Pineapple Thief) explained that as fellow KScope label mates, he had been invited by SBP to open for them on this tour, and showcase songs from his upcoming debut solo record. After introducing the Bruce Soord Band (Darren on electric guitar..), a button was pressed on his Apple Mac and the first of 5 songs was launched into. I say launched; glided would have been more appropriate as there was a definite Pink Floyd feel to the songs, Bruce playing acoustic, Darren on electric fender strat and the Mac filing in the background dreamscapes.
It was really rather nice stuff, and a departure from the Pineapple Thief theme, which presumably something Bruce aimmed for as a solo artist. Final song The Willow Tree was the most impressive, even after the false start (“I always mess this up” - and he did), with its finger picked acoustic start, and ending with the electric guitar solo from Darren. This sounds like an album worth a listen when it's released in November.
10 minutes later, and with no histrionics or ceremony, the 6 members of Sweet Billy Pilgrim took to the stage, not exactly having to fight through the crowd to get to the stage. I counted 54 of us in attendance - criminally under attended. Thankfully, it didn’t seem to bother the band one iota, and they were charming, engaging, chatty and clearly enjoying themselves throughout.
Opener of the set was the new album Motorcade Amnesiacs’ opener Candle Book and Bell, before reeling off the next 4 tracks off the same album. Lead singer Tim Elsenberg invited us to watch the recently released video for track Slingshot Grin, and especially his acting chops alongside “some famous people”.
After the lovely Tyrekickers on which Jana Carpenter takes the lead vocals, the first older track is played in the form of Archaeology from Crown & Treaty.
It’s almost impossible to read an article about SBP without seeing the term "Mercury Nominated” against their name (for album Twice Born Men), which is again puzzling as to why they don’t enjoy more success than they do…the curse of the Mercury prize??
They are also a difficult band to pigeonhole. They definitely have prog rock elements to their sound - I guess backed up by KScope signing them up for their latest album. There’s also some folk in their, and some edgy rock, especially on their latest album. It all makes for an intelligent, alluring mix and sound.
Kraklite and Blue Sky Falls close the set, with the beauty and satisfaction that these songs provoke, although I certainly had mixed feelings at the end of the gig. It felt almost like a personal performance for me alone, something they were actually offering in their Pledge Music campaign for the new album, but also tinged with sadness that they aren’t yet playing to a much larger audience.
Keith
