- 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
- Live Reviews
Well it took me a while to decide whether I wanted to pay £225 for a Rolling Stones concert ticket on level 4 of the O2 arena in
A quick video guide to different people’s view of the Stones aged 50 (including Iggy and
The stage (in its giant tongue shape) lit up as what seemed like a hundred or so drummers belted out a mighty beat as they moved around the crowd. A mighty roar followed as the lights dimmed and the boys launched into ‘Get off Of My Cloud’. No fireworks, loud bangs or explosions - just the band, just the music. Mick said that Sunday was great but tonight they were more relaxed and the consensus of people at both shows seems to be that tonight was better paced.
The Sixties was the tone for most of the evening. 'I wanna be your man’ was a surprise early on (I had not looked at a set list form Sunday’s show) and by the time Florence Welch stepped on stage to perform a blistering, ‘Gimme Shelter’ with Mick, the band were well into their stride.
- Live Reviews
First visit for us, to the legendary Rock City venue in Nottingham. It’s a dreary wet and windy night and it becomes the task of Bitter Ruin to entertain. A two-piece from Brighton, Bitter Ruin consists of Georgia Train, the bubbly, artistic, leading lady and Ben Richards talented guitarist and vocals.
Richard’s at times almost classical guitar is the perfect backdrop for Georgia’s amazing vocal power and range. The songs are stories and are portrayed by the changing character of Georgia’s onstage movements and voice. Matt Lucas is a special guest on one song, which grabs the crowd’s attention a little bit more but, his presence does not detract from the band themselves who still seem to be unsigned, I presume, until someone needs a song for the next James Bond movie. Yes they have that amount of talent.
- Live Reviews
- Live Reviews
I wonder how long people will continue to read reviews of Mark Kozalek gigs where the general patterns are, does he want to be here and is it really such an exhausting effort for him to perform for us.
The message barked down the line outside the Union Chapel last night was “no photography of any type including mobile phones, no recording. Anyone caught will lead to the cancellation of the gig”
On stage at 7.55pm and it was actually great not to see a field of mobile phones in the air taking pictures! One song in then Mark calls for his jacket. One more song and he takes objection to the water bottles on the floor and puts them on the table. Next song, then he is hot and in need of a towel which no one can find. “I sold 850 tickets tonight and I can’t get a towel” so, you get the drift.
What has to be said is that Mark Kozalek is a brilliant guitarist. His songs and unexpected covers of songs carry intense or even downright darkly humorous lyrics delivered with that unique voice.
Those hard Union Chapel pews kept us fairly alert during a set that broke two hours. So at the end of the day I wonder if Mark Kozalek is really just joking with us at his live concerts, did he really need that stage lights lowered that much?
Anyhow until I can figure that one out, I might just stick with Mark Kozalek recorded, rather than live.
Pete
New covers album out 19 Feb 2013
Please let us know your views of this gig, via our Message Boards
- Live Reviews
Someone said to me sometime ago that, I should listen to the first Kelly Clarkson album without any preconceived opinions. I never did actually get around to listening to the record and the only time I have had exposure to Kelly Clarkson was via the odd song on the radio. The chance came along to tag along to her gig at the revitalised NEC last night. So I took a chance.
Yes the LG Arena is now all spruced up, a bit like a large cinema foyer effect but nicely done. The Arena itself was down to half size, (less than overwhelming ticket sales I presume) but. that made for a far more intimate venue.
Lively pop things from
So apprehension to start with but, the opening music to Kelly’s show was AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ which, gave a glimmer of hope and indeed to her credit she ripped through the first three songs with a voice Brain Johnson would have be proud of.
An absolutely superb five piece band (with three backing singers) completed the jigsaw and the entertainment level was maintained thought the next 90 minutes.
Yes it was a stadium show, but there were no diva moments, one costume change for the encore, dress for trousers and cracking stadium songs. An cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ (Black Sabbath Vol. 4) was appropriate for Brum and was apparently a band request learnt during that afternoon’s sound check, something they do every show.
So as a unit the band actually did Rock and much in the vain of Melisa Etheridge, Kelly has that all powerful gravel Rock voice. I was impressed!
Pete
My Life Would Suck Without You
Behind These Hazel Eyes
I Forgive You
Dark Side
Walk Away
You Love Me
We Are Young
Already Gone
Don't You Wanna Stay
Changes
Because of You
Breakaway
Since U Been Gone
Catch My Breath
Encore:
Never Again Play
Mr. Know It All
Miss Independent
What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)
- Live Reviews
Tonight, it’s the second evening of Radiohead live on the Greenwich Peninsula in London, Formerly known as 'The Millennium Dome' on land previously known as Bugsby's Marshes which is the 02 Arena to you and me.
The paperless ticketing system worked well on our arrival around 6.30pm and we were nicely in our seats (with a great view, thanks WASTE!) for the 7.30pm start of Caribou. The Arena was packed as befits the growing status of this band and with a nice light show, the guys blasted through a tasty 30 minute set.
8.45pm saw the entrance of Radiohead and without further ado, the band were straight into ‘Lotus Flower’. The pace was unrelenting for the next two hours. Uncompromising even as the band dissected ‘In Rainbows and King of Limbs’. The Daily Mail and Staircase also made an appearance.
OK Computer, Hail to the Thief, Kid A and The Bends all were represented the latter with a magnificent Planet Telex and Street Spirit (Fade Out).
The staging and light show was innovative and spectacular. The songs particularly the new ones, took on a whole new dimension live.
This was a gig you came away from with a quiet smile on your face and an enormous sense of satisfaction. A band still pushing the boundaries of their sound in commanding style. Next stop Glastonbury 2013?
Pete
Lotus Flower, Airbag, 
Bloom, 
The Daily Mail, 
Myxomatosis, 
Bodysnatchers, 
The Gloaming, Separator, Videotape, 
Nude, 
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, 
Reckoner,
There There, The National Anthem, Feral, & Paranoid Android
Encore:
Give Up the Ghost , I Might Be Wrong, Planet Telex,
Morning Mr. Magpie, & Street Spirit (Fade Out) 
 

Encore 2:
Staircase &
Everything In Its Right Place
Encore 3:
Idioteque
- Live Reviews
At their record release party at The Lexington, Race Horses did what is surprisingly unusual: they played their new album, Furniture, in its entirety. As a result, a packed house enjoyed a thirty-five minute main set of sprightly pop followed by, an energetic encore of three oldies, including a brilliant ‘Pony’ from Goodbye Falkenburg.
The multi-instrumentalism of the band was at its peak with set closer ‘Old and New’, where the drummer played cornet, the keyboard/percussionist played violin, the multi-instrumentalist played harp and two additional musicians joined with french horn and bassoon. A talkative crowd hushed in genuine appreciation.
Opening acts were It Hugs Backs who played driving, shoegazey indie rock with a bit of Neu! going on and F.U.R.S. who looked to a very hung-over mind like Dry the River fronted by a young Neko Case (any dramatic missing of the boat is the responsibility of a low quality Czech lager versus the writer…). Both were appropriately well received.
Kevin
- Live Reviews
It’s the Ely Maltings on a Tuesday night and being a ‘school night’ that means this very pleasant venue has unfortunately got the tumbleweed blowing through it, audience size wise. On a particularly autumnal and chilly night there was however, welcoming warmth from the stage.
First up was Southend’s very own Matthew Boulter a.k.a. ‘Whispering Pines’ and Simone Felice Group lap-steel and mandolin player. Looking really like he hails from anywhere other than Southend-on-Sea (
The Simone Felice Group is a three piece this time around with Simone, Matt and the multi talented, violinist, (with a voice to shake the building), Simi Stone.
With the venue being under capacity, there was always going to be a challenge to create an atmosphere but, it really just takes the first song for the audience to be hooked. In the knowledge that we now at a gig as intimate as if the group were playing down at the local hostelry, we settle in for the evening.
Simone, Simi & Matt put their all into the performance, songs came thick and fast during the 90 minute set with antidotes attached. New York Times, (If I ever get) Famous, Charade (with English translation), Shaky, .Scarecrow, Summer Rain and Radio Song were all there.
‘Dawn Brady’s Son’ kicks off the encore after being requested from the front row (a song Simone say’s that they have not played for a while,” thanks for asking for that”). Covers of Sandy Denny, The Boss, (
So a great show in lovely setting, just a pity many more people could not have enjoyed it. The band have a day off on the Norfolk coastline today before Norwich on Thursday and what should be a triumphant Union Chapel show in London to wind up the tour on Friday (21 Sept).
Pete
- Live Reviews
Perfume Genius (
As soon a Mike starts singing though, we know we are in for something special. A honey dripped voiced with minimal backing, the songs take on an almost ethereal feel. The band as such, is keyboards and drums but the set is varied between that and Mike, solo.
Chat is limited and the really fragile quiet moments do at times threaten to get overwhelmed by the bar noise but nevertheless, a very nice set. Keep your eyes on this young man.
First show in two years for Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear shows little signs of rustiness. The ninety minute set is a total triumph with the new songs mixing effortlessly with the better known.
The chemistry is still there and the musicianship has not been lost. The band just seem to live and breathe the songs, however complex the arrangements are, when they are on stage. By the time ‘Shields’ is released in just less than three weeks time, the songs will already be old favourites.
The ninety minutes slips effortlessly by. I am sure as the tour progresses there will be video backdrops and cool lighting but for now the Prince’s of Indie, Edward Droste, Daniel Rossen,, Chris Taylor, (always a joy to watch) and drummer Christopher Bear are about to become Kings.
Pete
Speak in Rounds
Cheerleader
Sleeping Ute
Yet Again
Little Brother (Electric)
Shift
Two Weeks
Fine For Now
gun-shy
Ready, Able
A Simple Answer
Foreground
Half Gate
While You Wait For The Others
Encore:
He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)
(The
On A Neck, On a Spit
- Live Reviews
Well it was great to get to the Olympics and London 2012 at last. A fun morning spent at the men’s marathon was followed by a trip to
The event was a mix of the remaining Olympic action on the big screens and live music, kicking off which was a very accomplished Bombay Bicycle Club followed by the latest version of New Order.
From midway back, New Order seemed a bit lost in such a vast arena. The sound as has been reported was not particularly loud and the delay speakers are all to the left (looking at the stage) side of the park which did not help if you were standing on the right.
The Specials were thoroughly entertaining as the hits poured fourth but really, I think both these bands are now better suited to indoor venues, where they would blow the roof off.
