- Live Reviews
From the off the crowd were ready for The Devil Makes Three to take the stage in the intimate Scala in Kings Cross, London. It became clear why in short order. Mixing bluegrass, blues and ragtime (amongst others) this old-timey guitar, banjo and double bass 3-piece filled the room with infectious and energetic melody, for which the crowd showed their noisy appreciation from start to finish.
The band played music from all of their albums, bouncing effortlessly from one track to the next. Lead vocals provided by Pete Bernhard, with atmospheric harmonies from Lucia Turino (double bass) and Cooper McBean (banjo/guitar) each also taking turns on lead vocals during the show. Starting with Beneath the Piano - setting the up-tempo scene, moving into Stranger, and the crowd-pleasing The Bullet and All Hail. Next up a couple of Doc Watson and Elvis Costello covers. Gracefully Facedown and Hallelu continued the pulsating rhythm.
The tone took a noticeable shift with the melancholic bleating of Graveyard. This more modern-sounding folk tune centred attention on the more sober tone of the bands lyrics, which are so often expertly obscured in some of their more musically upbeat tracks. We were then back to elbow-thrusting, foot-stomping stuff featuring Dead Body Moving, Worse or Better, and Old Number 7.
The band came back for 3 encores, For Good Again, Bangor Mash and St James and exited to the baying of the crowd of long-time fans and new recruits, myself included.
The Devil Makes Three play a few more European dates before heading back to USA for shows through to August. I'm not sure when they plan another trip back here but keep an eye out. They are well worth a watch.
Gráinne saw The Devil Makes Three live at Scala in London, UK, 26th March 2015
- Live Reviews
Weddings, Funerals and reformed band gigs all have a number of things in common. The anxiety of what to wear, will Aunty Joan turn up in the same AC/DC fly on the wall tour shirt? Are they in it for the money, why did Aunty Joan marry successful 90 year old local butcher Mr Collins the month after they met? And most importantly will it be a good night out? Aunty Joan likes Bingo!
GUN had me excited but worried, a favorite band of mine, whom Apple are currently advising me that 3 tracks of Swagger are in my top most played tracks listing. According to the law of foggy memory a faded ex-girlfriend is best remembered as part of your heroically romantic misspent youth and not someone you suggest joins you and your wife for a curry in Shoreditch on a Wednesday.
My point is, that like my rambling, sometimes it’s worth squeezing into the tour shirt and making the effort. The truth is that on this drab Tuesday night in a venue that has more viewing restrictions than the East Stand at Southend Utd GUN were magnificent.
I had been lucky enough to hear the new album ahead of release and wondered how it would sit with their crowd pleasing back catalogue, again fears allayed it was epic, clearly the crowd were long time fans and played their part to the max, from the first spiritual refrain of new track Let it Shine and on to the obligatory Word Up they were so well versed it was almost Wagnerian.
'One wrong turn', Title track 'Frantic' and recent single' Labour of Life' all played brilliantly within a hit laden set that ran the best part of 2 hours without a moments respite. There was no band political rhetoric just a celebration of what they do best by rocking your world apart with glorious anthems.
A band this good deserve to return to the heights of yesterday and the new album supports that. This is a band that has played alongside the Stones, Bon Jovi, SimpleMinds and more and, their effervescent performance throughout was wonderful to experience. This is a short tour and I think that anyone getting the chance to see them close it out in hometown Glasgow at Barrowlands is going to die rock happy.
Let's hope this is the second coming for a band that is one of Scotland's lost treasures that needs to be saved for the nation.
Iain
@docswallow
Set list:
Let It Shine
Don’t say it’s Over
Better Days
One Wrong Turn
Something To Believe In
Money
Hold Your Head Up
Real World
Higher Ground
Frantic
Taking On The World
Inside Out
Word Up
Steal Your Fire
Encore:
Labour Of Life
Shame
- Live Reviews
Well, you just have two admire these musician’s who just never seem to stop working and who put so much effort into their craft, even on a school night in Cambridge.
Emily Barker and Gill Sandell, most recently part of Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo, have now spilt off into a sub branch of the parent company and are putting a few shows on together in support of Emily’s new record, the Toerag Sessions and Gill’s fine new album with Chris T-T called Walk Away, Walk Away.
An impressively raw set of songs from local resident Paul Goodwin, set the seen for Emily and Gill to hit the stage at 9.30pm and leave around 11pm having delivered a beautifully varied and engaging set of songs that stirred the memories, to songs only just recorded and not yet released.
Gill Sandell had an array of instruments at her disposal, acoustic, electric guitars, flute, accordion and with a dusky singing voice made for evening time (just the one shot at a solo song), she harmonises sweetly.
Emily on acoustic and electric guitars has a voice that just evokes the widescreen landscape of her native homeland in Australia. Songs go from heartbreak to wonderment and she really can keep an audience captivated for any length of time.
The Toerag Sessions record will be particularly sweet as it is just Emily solo, with harmonica and guitar and songs from her entire career going as far back to early Cambridge days with the Low Country. So last night, was an apt homecoming.
Pete
The Toerag Sessions is released on Easter Monday, 6th April and there are various options to pre-order via Pledge Music
Remaining dates with Gill:
Wed 25 Mar - Burnley Mechanics
Thu 26 Mar - Wakefield Unity Works
Fri 27 Mar - Bury The Met
Sat 28 Mar - Morecambe Hothouse
Sun 29 Mar - Halifax Square Chapel
- Live Reviews
Well they promised us a light show, and it's already kicked in as part of the warm-up to The Charlatans a DJ set from One Beat Records is laying down some disco funk, the mirror ball above the stage is glittering through the smoke and the over 40s who make up most of tonight's crowd are getting up for a big Friday night trip down memory lane at The Civic.
What stops tonight being a tribute act is that The Charlatans have just come through another band tragedy (the death of drummer Jon Brookes in 2013) and released 'Modern Nature' their best, most upbeat album in many years.
At the appointed time the lights dim, the low funky bass and keyboard intro to 'Forever' creeps out of the PA and the band, with Pete Salisbury of The Verve and others occupying the drum stool tonight, as he does on several tracks from the new album start the groove. Lead singer Tim Burgess with his now familiar but still badly dyed (we can see your roots Tim) blonde, Andy Warhol style long bob taking the first of many crowd photos which litter his Twitter account. The stabbing keyboard intro to 'Weirdo' starts the first really serious bout of crowd bouncing, which continues through 'North Country Boy' and 'Tellin' Stories'.
The pace slows for 'Trouble Understanding' the best track from 'Modern Nature' with its lovely, lazy piano and the killer chorus “ Never Ending' also from 'Modern Nature'. We to need be held to be aware of own our bodies. Nature is trouble understanding.”, followed by the appropriately titled 'Let the Good Times Be
The tumbling, thumping piano from 'One To Another' gets the whole room bouncing again, the audience temporarily losing the years between 1997 and 2015 in a mass of sweaty limbs and shouted vocals. Tim with a broad grin on his face is taking more crowd shots to document the fun down the front. The final three tracks of the main set ' How High',' The Only One I Know' and 'Come Home Baby' keep the pace going through to the end of a triumphant return.
First encore is 'Blackened Blue Eyes' from 'Simpatico' and “this is for Jon Brookes” (the band were formed in the West Midlands, later moving to Cheshire) they finish as ever with 'Sproston Green'. Tim departs the stage after the vocal is finished leaving the band to keep the audience dancing for a couple more minutes. As they bring the show to a close the back screen has a fitting and appropriate tribute to Jon Brookes which gets a respectful round of applause.
With the cool light show, a band on top form playing songs from a memorable back catalogue and a great new album, let the good times be never ending; welcome to the best over-40s disco in town.
Alisdair Whyte
- Live Reviews
JJ Grey & Mofro played to a sold out gig in London last night before their tour continues through Europe with sadly no other gigs planned for the UK.
Support was Marc Broussard a bluesman from Louisiana who treated us to eighty minutes of superb blues and soul with his voice and fine acoustic guitar playing. Some of JJ’s band joined him for the last few numbers. This tour looks like being one hell of a party!
JJ Grey & Mofro filled the air with their southern blues, soul and funky rock which, really is stuck in the seventies but still feels so fresh in 2015. They are a tight seven piece band well used to playing together and you could see they were having as good a time as the audience. That feelgood factor was infectious.
Their new album Ol’ Glory was released a few weeks ago. (our review is here) and this took the lion's share of a lengthy set.
JJ says “slow your life down by paying attention, you will be more creative”. That’s a good message to take away! “thankyawl” he said in appreciation “thankyawl to you to” we thought.
We need to look out for their return to the UK and hope we won’t have to wait too long!
Ken
- Live Reviews
Ólöf Arnalds opened the show with her unique voice and beautiful songs. Although it's hard not to make Bjork comparisons, it's easy to see her talent is special. Her songs demonstrated a wide range of guitar skills that would make anyone swoon, and her lyrics were touching without being cheesy. A bit of a result really.
Jose Gonzalez was the main draw for the evening, and although being a man, most likely, known for his covers (The Knife, Massive Attack, Kylie Minogue), he's back with a new album full of exciting new material. Complete with band, he played songs from that pulse racing record as well as making time to include the 'hits'. This included Heartbeats during a solo set half way through the evening which was followed by the classic pop ditty turned into a sorrow filled number, 'Put Your Hand On Your Heart' by Kylie Minogue.
A complete set full of fantastic guitar playing and a mixture soulful and enigmatic songs that had the crowd hooked.
@thejoeeley
- Live Reviews
Since the demise of The Cockpit, the promoters around Leeds have been scrabbling to find alternative band venues, including The Wardrobe, The Library and The Belgrave Music Hall, and tonight it was my first visit to the newly branded Key Club.
A night of Southern rock and roll was promised from Nashville’s The Cadillac Three and support band Sky Valley Mistress from, er, Blackburn…
SVM had just taken to the stage as I was descending the steps into the basement club, and one hell of a racket they were making. Comprising the classic lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and singer lineup, my first surprise was how young they were (average age 25?), and my second surprise was how damn good they were.
Channeling a crunching classic rock sound, fronted by the wonderful Kayley “Hell Kitten” Davies, they ran through they criminally short set acting as a genuine warm up to The Cadillac Three. Check out their fabulously titled EP Rivals, Hounds & Rebel Sisters, and catch them on their own headline tour during March & April.
The sold out crowd in this new venue were well and truly ready for The Cadillac Three as they took the stage half an hour later, and they bowed their caps to the crowd and launched into Party Like You, new track from the UK only newly released EP Peace Love & Dixie. The band clearly were appreciative of the crazy reception they were getting and the ovation they got announcing that this was their first visit to Leeds and that this and the entire tour was sold out nearly took the roof off.
Favourites from their only album release so far, Tennessee Mojo, such as the title track and the sing along I’m Southern mixed with other new tracks from the ep kept the crowd bouncing and the temperature rising in this small cellar shaped venue.
Just under an hour and a half later, and The South closed the set with most of us baying for more. Unfortunately, the 10pm curfew to make way for a metal night meant that was it, and after visiting the merch stall, we left happy and drenched in sweat.
Hopefully the band will be back when album number two is released, and hopefully at a much bigger venue which will be no less than they deserve.
Keith @kjsmith4082
- Live Reviews
Mumford and Sons are back, and back with a new sound. All a bit last minute they protested, despite the show t-shirt and screen print on sale, as we were told to hand in our mobile phones for fear of being distracted by them. Not that they were not trusting enough of their fans not to hold their phone up throughout the whole show. A brave move.
Their show at Oslo promised to debut new songs from a change of direction record. They didn't disappoint. Opening with a guitar heavy, rock n roll track and then moving on to new single Believe. This is where it started to get a bit tricky. Believe was a song that never really got going which became the theme of the evening. Although it was a nice change to have iPhones hanging above your head, standing in a room that felt like a kettle, sweating like a mad man, only listening to songs no one knew AND not being able to check the football score, wasn't really what I signed up for.
Often bands debuting new material would at least play one or two hits in the encore, but last night they went through the motions demonstrating their slightly heavier new sound to a room of slightly bewildered people desperately waiting to hear something they knew.
The new songs however were classic Mumford & Sons, good singles with a lot of filler in between. It will be interesting to listen to the record when it's out, but until then hopefully they'll go hide in their cave and find some songs we want to listen to live right now.
Joe (@thejoeeley)
----------------------------------------------------
There was a sense of exiting anticipation in the crowded small venue that is Oslo in Hackney London last night as we waited for Mumford & Sons to appear.
The crowd had come from all over the country and we met two brothers who had driven down from Newcastle for the gig. They were amongst the lucky few (375) to have got tickets when the sales opened at 9am that morning and sold out within seconds.
There was no support band and the two hour wait for the band to appear was unusual. It was like a throwback to the 80’s, as there were no mobile phones allowed, no eerie glow from all smartphone screens of people tweeting or checking of messages. Was this a social experiment to see who would crack first? We had all had to leave our phones downstairs in small black purses sporting white lettering with the words Mumford & Sons – Wilder Mind. These were given to us as a free memento of the night. I was hoping for a phone upgrade but it didn’t happen as I got my own phone back!
There were a few false alarms before the band appeared 45mins late. Someone asked what the football score was and Marcus replied 1 – 2 to Arsenal before apologising for the wait and sheepishly saying, not very convincingly, that that wasn’t why they were late.
They started with rocking new number from the new album. It was very good. Driving drums and bass guitar rhythms. Heavier than the Mumford & Sons of old. We don’t know what it was called as none of us had heard any of the numbers they played before and Marcus didn’t introduce them all. They played the new album, the whole new album and nothing but the new album, but not in order.
We thought they had rocked up their sound but the second number was slower. The new single Believe, which may them sound like a boy band picked up pace with some nice guitars towards the end.
You can hear it here with a cool video of driving around London at night HERE
Snake Eyes sounded good with a slow build up to a fast jam. Ditmus was very good with a catchy chorus and the potential to become an anthem. Monster with its syncopated drums was indeed a bit of a monster. For the last number they were singing in four part harmony like the band of old before again finishing with a good jam like session.
It was a great gig and a privilege to be there. The band mixed it up a bit and there wasn’t a banjo in sight. We’re looking forward to this new album Wilder Mind when it is released in May. It’s been a long time coming!
Ken (@kenjameswallace)
- Live Reviews
Back in 2008 Josh Tilman was the support for Fleet Foxes (for whom he was playing drums) at Nottingham Trent Uni. so we were aware of his singer/songwriter talent. Then in 2012 at the No Direction Home Festival I saw Father John Misty play tunes from Fear Fun and I was slightly in awe of his stage presence and fine song writing craft, so when his new album and Village Underground date were announced both were pre-ordered/booked knowing this was going to be something special.
But, nothing could have prepared me for the joy that unfolded at The VU! The album is already in my top 10 of 2015 (the gatefold, pop up, tune playing vinyl is a beautiful thing in itself; the horror on my husband's face when I confessed to the cost was priceless!)
The night opened with Birthday Boy Kieran Leonard playing some his new tunes, in front of an already attentive crowd, it was a genteel start for the Rock & Roll mayhem that was about unfold.
The band quickly took their places and FJM arrived, took the mic, teetered on the edge of the stage and ripped into Honeybear, which, as with every one of the tunes from the album, grew tenfold during this live performance. At this moment I thought he was going to play the album through, I would have been more than happy with this but he gave us a full set from both albums.
The variation in song style were highlighted in True Affection and The Ideal Husband (although guillemot-esque, in a good way) which almost raised the roof and it would be an appropriate time to say his supporting band are a class act. The VU stage is by no means large but it held the six of them plus FJM with room for ample strutting, and hip thrusting that had all totally mesmerised. When FJM took a sortee into the crowd there was NOBODY that did not want to reach out and touch him! So many fantastic songs including Strange Encounter, Smiling and Astride Me, Chateau Lobby as well as a Leonard Cohen cover "I'm Your Man" made for an incredible set.
But there is so much more to this guy than a few good tunes, his stagecraft makes for an outstanding performance. The movement encapsulating the mood of every tune, from standing on a drum kit, swaying with his guitar, to telling a few early clappers to "shut up" in a silent moment, which was humorous but with such an edge it was frightening!!
There are already two London dates announced for October and an appearance at the Green Man festival in August lined up although this was one of those gigs where this night may never be surpassed...... but then one should never say never!
Sally @sally_wally
- Live Reviews
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year the annual four newish and upcoming bands NME Awards tour arrives in Nottingham; a quick count-back reveals this to be my 14th attendance, the first of which was headlined by Stereophonics in 1998, which was probably the year some of tonight's audience were born.
The 2015 line-up features Palma Violets, The Fat White Family, Slaves and opening as a last minute replacement for The Amazing Snakeheads who chose the eve of the tour to split is The Wytches. The opening slot has had notable previous occupants Coldplay, The Coral, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Mystery Jets and Florence and the Machine, and slightly less notable Fluffy, Theaudience, Mumm-Ra and The Drums, so it's worth getting there early for that “I saw them first” moment.
Tonight's audience decide to ignore the historical evidence as The Wytches are playing their bone-rattling Sabbath-style riffs to an half-full Rock City. The three piece's deep bassy psychedelic riffs were never quiet captured on the 'Annabel Dream Reader' album released last year, let's hope any new recorded material manages to better replicate their fine live performance tonight.
Next up are Slaves a two piece from Kent, Laurie Vincent (guitars/vocals) and Issac Holman (stand-up drums and shouty vocals) together produce a brutal, minimalist sound that sees the younger members of the audience erupt in a mohican strip of a moshpit from front to back of the standing area. Highlights include ' Where's Your Car Debbie' and new single 'Feed the Mantaray' the chorus of which is still stomping around your head long after it's finished. By the end both Laurie and Issac are shirtless and the standing area has turned into a thrashing bait ball. Slaves first album 'Are You Satisfied?' is out 1st June and should be on your wanted list.
The Fat White Family are introduced by a mystery man in a military jacket and flight goggles who rambles incoherently before throwing something into the crowd, the weirdness continues as the abstract noise makers arrive on stage. Lead singer Lias Saoudi looks a frail, meek character but the second he removes his shirt during the first track the devilish spirit of Iggy Pop appears to invade him as he writhes and contorts through every word of the performance. During crowd highlight 'Touch The Leather' Lias is in the audience lying on top of the front rows, by the time final track 'Bomb Disneyland' finishes he looks exhausted, on the verge of collapse. Fat White's music mixes lots of influences and their album 'Champagne Holocaust' isn't the easiest listening; however their energetic live performance is easier to digest.
Compared with what's gone before, tonight's headliners Palma Violets feel mainstream, nothing wrong or bad but nothing to get too excited about either. They thrash through tracks from their first album '180' at a terrific volume, Sam Fryer (in US Southern states preacher hat and long coat) and Chilli Jesson sharing and switching vocals in a The Libertines style. 'Best of Friends' and '14' get a great reception from the crowd who vigorously leap about throughout the hour Palma Violets are on stage. 'Danger In The Club' which is the title track from the new album released May 4th also goes down very well even though it's brand new.
So NME tour, always a good value ticket with four bands and you'll probably leave loving something you barely knew when you arrived. NME Awards Tour 2015, Nottingham Rock City, 24th February, 2015
Alisdair Whyte
- Live Reviews
Ryan Adams returned to London last night with his band The Shining for a gig at the Hammersmith (in old money) Odeon and a rock n’roll sad songs show was delivered in fine style.
Ryan is still a young man but with the back catalogue of a veteran. He could play five nights at the same venue and play five different sets without blinkin’ an eye, which makes it slightly strange that the set list on this particular UK tour has not changed that much.
Following his last magnificent acoustic tour, we have since last year been in rock n’ roll territory with the Shining (who follow the long missed Cardinals). I for one really like the ‘Ryan Adams’ album released in 2014 and with the current release of the 7" series of songs this man’s power to write great songs is undiminished. Proved still more by ‘I Ate Something Off The Street ‘ an on the spot improv last night after a muffled audience cry for, what song was it?
Last autumn’s shows with the Shining at the Shepherds Bush Empire, seem intimate compared to the wider expanses of Hammersmith and this is where the crowd came slightly unstuck. Ryan’s songs when being belted out by the band at full volume were auditorium filling. Once he picked up the acoustic guitar for some quiet songs, the bar and audience noise was so loud that it seemed like we were watching a support act with all the crowd chatter going on.
But this is Friday night, this is the dawn of the weekend, this is rock n’ roll! So enjoy this version of Ryan Adam’s world whilst it lasts because what comes next, a metal band or some heartbreakingly fragile acoustic songs?
A great night out, with a great band. Support Natalie Prass impressed greatly and received a cover song and a couple of major duets with Ryan during his set as well.
Pete
Set
Gimme Something Good
Let It Ride
Stay With Me
Dear Chicago
This House Is Not For Sale
Everybody Knows
My Winding Wheel
Dirty Rain
Magnolia Mountain
New York, New York
I Ate Something Off The Street
Kim
Two
My Wrecking Ball
I Just Might
I Love You But I Don't Know What To Say
Your Fool
(Natalie Prass cover)
Oh My Sweet Carolina
(with Natalie Prass)
La Cienega Just Smiled
Trouble
When the Stars Go Blue
I See Monsters
Come Pick Me Up
(with Natalie Prass)
- Live Reviews
Monday saw Bristol’s turn at hosting Portland’s The Decemberists as part of an 8 date UK & Ireland tour in support of new album What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World.
Looking exceptionally dapper in a 3 piece suit, Colin Meloy strides onto the stage solo with acoustic guitar strapped on and kicks off with the appropriate opener The Singer Addresses His Audience ; opening track from the new album. The rest of the band, equally suited and booted, then join him on stage and they up the tempo with Cavalry Captain and Down By The Water. The sold out crowd, including Bristol legend Big Jeff is now warmed up !
Unexpectedly early highlight of the set kicks in on the 5th track when they play the spine tingling Sleepless. This was The Decemberists contribution to the compilation charity album Dark Is The Night back in 2009, and doesn’t appear on any of their albums. Stunning.
Chat with the audience is funny and engaging, especially when the song Philomena is introduced and Meloy says it was nearly ruined for him when the movie of the same name staring Judie Dench was released.
Then comes the absolute highlight of the night for me when The Island, Come & See, The Landlord’s Daughter from The Crane Wife is played in all its 15 minutes or so glory. Magnificent, spellbinding prog rock !
The conclusion to the main set is the audience participative 16 Military Wives from Picaresque and O Valencia! from The Crane Wife, in which Meloy squeezes a couple of lines from This Charming Man.
The only bum note of the night for me was the choice of encores. Considering their magnificent back catalogue, choosing 2 songs from the new album didn’t seem the right choice and seemed to lose the band some momentum. This however was forgiven when the joyous The Mariners Revenge Song closed the night, all sing along, sway along style. A fabulous way to end.
Great to see you again Decemberists ; 2 fantastic hours that literally flew by. Just don’t leave it so long next time!!
Keith & Ali
