- Live Reviews
There has never been a time when I have come away from a Sigur ros concert feeling anything other than amazed and searching for words to describe what I have just witnessed. Friday night at the Brixton Academy was no different in this cycle of wonderment.
Now down to three original members Jón Þór Birgisson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason. New song "Yfirborð," starts the set as green shimmering light lands on the front netting encasing the stage.This eerie lighting with the stage bathed in dark green and silver, is quite amazing and a scene setter for what is to come.
White light as Jón Þór Birgisson’s shadow is cast high of the front netting as his bow runs over the guitar strings on Ný Batterà from Ãgætis byrjun. Crowd transfixed and as ever this band will take you somewhere else for the next couple of hours.
The stage is bathed in red for a gentle slow building ‘Vaka’. We are just three songs it and already it’s an amazing show.
- Live Reviews
Stranded Horse is Yann Tambour, a French songwriter and very accomplished string musician. Two songs sung, whilst playing a mini self built, Kora and two on acoustic guitar. Yann’s songs are both lengthy and lyrical. Someone who has already been on the music scene for a decade, it was nice to discover his music first hand in a live setting.
- Live Reviews
First up were the Sulk. The post Madchester spirit is certainly alive with this five piece – in terms of funky swagger, dress and appearance. The singer was quite aware of this making an gag that they would be playing Sproston Green next (but then they’d need a keyboardist). I personally wouldn’t make the comparison with the Charlatans, however there was definitely a recollection of Molly Half Head (*1) in their sound, while the track ‘Flowers’ had an Inspiral Carpets feel to it, again sans keyboard. The baggy vibe permated the full set showcasing some lively guitar hooks and some danceable elements from the rhythm section (well, for those young enough to dance). Unfortunately not good enough to utilise the ‘What’s green and appears supporting Exit Calm at the Borderline?’.. ‘The incredible Sulk’ but entertaining enough.
- Live Reviews
I was not sure what to expect from this debut gig of The Claw, very loud, sure that’s a given and slightly odd as they are promoting themselves as a secretive, progressive, psychedelic band.
But the truth of it was a rather fun night of old school rock theatre. Warm up band Trieste were a classic, balls out, foot planted wall of noise that showcased some very tight guitar talent.
Second set was by Vodun, who quickly turned on the weird with, their Afro, Metal, Voodoo, Soul sound. Their strong lead vocalist, eccentric, Mick Fleetwood sized guitarist and powerhouse pint sized, rock chick, drum kit pilot, they got the slight crowd up off the collection of odd furniture that lined the walls like a school disco. The band ended their set with a huge selection of broken drumsticks and a guitarist lying on the floor, off the stage, to play out the last riff of the final number.
The build up to the main event saw the swelling crowd being teased by the rebuilding of the set and intermittent use of a smoke machine. With the big reveal now upon us the German heavy metal sound track was replaced by a James Bond soundtrack to accompany a parade of what can only be described as shaved Wombles in monks’ vestments.
Up goes the Claw salute and the crowd return the gesture. Cue the music, a frantic release of battered Korg keyboard, flying V and chrome guitar. A loud and atmospheric set including The Bells, Seize Decay and Undoing Wrong filled the inadequate space of Garage’s Upstairs venue with a soundtrack of noise that would be brilliant for any Hammer Horror remake.
Without knowing the songs, I was quickly into the raging rhythm of psychotic alien monks and feeling by the end of the set I had been preached to and, in truth, probably converted. I think that a sundown slot at one of this year’s rock festivals would be an ideal way to show the act off to a wider unsuspecting audience.
For those of you with a preference for loud theatrics this is worth a look. The music is all the better for the visual impact of the band, but having listened back to the music online today its one that’s going on my playlist, though not for the train section of my daily commute.
7/10 for the night, though only, because the venue was too small for power of all 3 bands.
Iain
Our Interview with The Claw
- Live Reviews
Well, this was a tremendous show. Highly anticipated and only announced a few days before, it sold out within a few hours. Understandable when the house band is the Foo Fighters! As Dave Grohl said, with tongue firmly in cheek, “ The Forum!, we used to play the enomo places, now look at us”
What we had in store as the band took the stage at 7.50pm was two hours twenty minutes of American Rock n Roll in tribute to the legendary recording studios, ‘Sound City’ in LA.
Each set was backed by Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins and various other members of the Foo Fighters, plus Alain Johannes from Queens of the Stone Age / Them Crooked Vultures also played all night on guitar and vocals
Alain Johannes took stage centre first up covering Queens of the Stone Age, Eleven and as with other artist’s on the night, a song written for the "Sound City: Reel to Reel" soundtrack.
As the band shuffled around, Chris Goss from Masters of Reality was next up and the evening continued down a rockin’ road. Dave was having a great time, playing with heroes and friends pulling all the classic poses and striking the guitar with a vengeance.
Fear’s leader and chief punk rocker, Lee Ving, along with the Foos own Pat Smear were next out front. First time in the UK for Lee’s Fear songs and he still went down a storm.
The hardest gigging man in showbiz? Rick Springfield was up next and yes, he brought ‘that song’ with him which, was a major success for the studio as well. But before we got to Jesse’s Girl there was a storming’ twenty minutes of other tunes.
Dave really gave Rick the Star treatment all in good humour. There were so many smiles on that stage last night; they could have generated their own sunlight. A classic moment came when Rick broke a string and then threw his SG sky high across the stage to a roadie, who caught it (thankfully) and delivered it back to Rick for the next song.
The finale came with Rick Nielsen, and Krist Novoselic coming onstage. Dave took to some powerhouse drumming and Taylor Hawkins became the singer and front man for four of a five-song set of classic Cheap Trick concert covers.
Final song on the night with Taylor back on drums and Dave with Rick Nielsen’s trademark chequed Cheap Trick guitar was ‘Surrender’.
As the band said goodnight, everyone applauded and surrendered to a great night out. Then, the house lights went up and the show was over, but what a show it was!
Pete
- Live Reviews
Arrived at the venue just in time to hear the last 60 seconds of feedback ending the Washington Irving set but, that was enough to tempt me into buying the single.
Great to see Wintersleep back in
Frightened Rabbit are back on the scene with a great new album ‘Pedestrian Verse’ featuring some arena size anthems and last night they squeezed those songs into the tight confines of the Cambridge Junction.
At home straight away with the audience, good levels of banter after the Scottish translation fed it way back to the stage.
Surely this is a band on the rise. Great songs, and a great live set with a band full of passion for the job in hand whether, electric or acoustic. It was an appreciative crowd that waved the band goodbye after a set of nearly 20 songs.
Pete
- Live Reviews
I just got to the venue in time for Everything Everything so missed Outfit. Seventy Five minutes later I was on my way home again but, it was a very enjoyable Seventy Five minutes.
Pete
1. Arc
2. Kemosabe
3. QWERTY Finger
4. Torso of the Week
5. Duet
6. Leave The Engine Room
7. Final Form
8.
9. Schoolin’
10. Tin (The Manhole)
11. Photoshop Handsome
12. The Peaks
13. Suffragette Suffragette
14. Cough Cough
Encore:
15. MY KZ,
16. The House Is Dust
17. Radiant
18. Don’t Try
- Live Reviews
Foals bought the energy and enthusiasm with them to Rough Trade on a snowy February evening that makes their new album Holy Fire such a good record.
A short five song set, which included two new singles Inhaler and My Number had the majority teenage audience captivated from the start. This was it though, teenagers. Some, who had been there since
Foals were too concerned with the material than the attention that comes with it. Off the back of this short performance we can expect big things from Foals this year.
Foals played;
Prelude
My Number
Inhaler
- Live Reviews
Cody ChesnuTT is not nearly as popular as he should be. It is clear he is most responsible for this situation. For those who are familiar with his work, he has worked with a few different groups like The Roots, has written the critically acclaimed "Headphone Masterpiece" on a 4 track in his bedroom. And then spent 10 years abusing drugs, and doing just about anything he could to destroy his family and his relationships with friends.
When he realized he was on the wrong track. he up and moved his family from
It takes very little time when listening to this album to see how he has changed, all you have to do is listen to his words and realise he certainly is not "turning back". This album is a beautiful/soulful/ode to his new life, his love of life, his family and his friends and his desire to make things right.
His show last night was as good as it could get...Every song off his new cd was played, and he will not play anything off his old releases. He wants to focus on this more positive new album and I can't blame him. its beautiful.
Within five minutes of being on stage he has the entire venue singing along to "Til I met Thee" and "Love is More Than a Wedding Day" and the sing-a-long continues until he has done every song on the new album and with no encore. walks into the crowd and hugs as many people as he can before settling into the merch table to meet even more people.
This show was about nothing but positive vibes and I can say without a doubt, this will be my show of the year. If you like classic soul and r&b and enjoy his new album, please find the time to check Cody ChesnuTT out somewhere. He really is a special performer and probably one of the best singers I have ever heard!
Jim
- Live Reviews
After reading everything over the past few months, I had to check them out on their first trip to
As many of the reviews say, these youngsters do not hold anything back. Easy to spot the influences with these guys but they don’t just stop there, they push and push their sound at you throughout their set, and its really an assault of the best kind.
They start their set with "Clash like" song...which certainly wakes a few people up...then slip into a few more songs that bring in their influences from bands like the Strokes and in the meantime, they switch singers.
They push you with punk and settle down and soothe you with some very smooth pub rock/rock n roll ...its really a treat to see youngsters pull it off and it gives you hope that this young band, Palma Violets, will be around for awhile.
As of now, the only music available from them in Canada are two ep's with "Step up for Cool Cats" and "Best of Friends/Last of the Summer Wine" and these songs do come off really well live but its the other songs that give me hope!
Lets see where these guys go...all I know is that they have already booked another show in Toronto, now in a venue that holds 10 times as many fans as the Horseshoe, so get in while you can!
Jim
- Live Reviews
I don’t understand why the Breakout nights at the Barfly in
Milo Greene, a five piece from the West Coast of America, are going to be your new favourite band. This was the last night of their first full
Yes American, but also a full album of top quality folk songs that you just want to stamp your foot to. Their searing group harmonies had the teenage girl in the front row swooning at one point I’m sure, and with songs such as Don't You Give Up On Me, Cutty Love and 1957, they had the room controlled. This is a band to watch in 2013.
Khushi show promise, with some witty songwriting and interesting melodies, they are for fans of Villagers who are looking something to get their foot tapping a little harder.
Echotape are indie Rock ‘n’ Roll through and through, and I’m sure the lead singer had been reading ‘Rules of Being a Front man’ the night before coming on stage. He fulfilled the role with the arrogance required to hold his fist in the air for a full minute when no one else seemed to be that bothered.
The odd one out was Leanne Robinson, a well oiled pop act who would have been more suited to playing in one the swanky bars around Chalk Farm rather than the upstairs at the Barfly. Nothing drastically new here to what you would hear on the radio.
If you do one thing this weekend, check out Milo Greene, you won’t be disappointed. Their self titled debut album is available now.
@joeeley
- Live Reviews
First gig of the year for me and it’s all the way back to (
Veterans they may be but, we all have to keep working into old age these days and the guys from Caravan (young new drummer Mark Walker excepted)) who all look pensionable age, seem to be thoroughly enjoying it. After a prestigious show the previous night, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall the band still seemed on a high, many smiles, great songs and musicianship and a willing audience.
Pye Hastings, Geoffrey Richardon, Jim Leverton, Jan Schelhaas and the aforementioned, enthusiastic drummer Mark Walker laid straight into Memory Lain, Hugh / Headloss from ‘Girls’ but, rather than play the entire album front to back, it was dispersed throughout the show.
In the
Full stream ahead for nearly two hours Nightmare and Nine Feet Underground were excellent. The latter with Jim Leverton on vocals. “He’s been singing like a bird all night, like a vulture” quipped Geoffrey Richardson but Jim’s vocals were lovely as was his bass playing.
Geoffrey himself as ever the multi instrumentalist, Pye Hasting Guitar and lead vocals and Jan Schelhaas on keyboards make up present day Caravan and a fine and happy outfit they are. You really don’t have to come from the Seventies to enjoy this enthusiastic bunch.
Pete
Our recent interview with Pye Hastings is HERE