- Live Reviews
Jonathan Wilson played for close to two hours, covering most of his Gentle Spirit album, plenty of songs from his forthcoming album and the occasional meandering jam that the crowd seemed to enjoy.
The periodic incense, vintage gear, dress and appearance, primarily long scraggly hair, evoked a stereotypical Californian band in the 70s. A very good Californian band, though. The entire band was very tight. The guitarists regularly switched from electric to acoustic, rocking leads to gentle finger-picking and strumming. All underpinned by a swirling
There was limited chat, but what there was amusing with a highlight of Jonathan predicting a bright future for the fellow he's been touring with, Tom Petty! Overall, a truly excellent gig that was very well received by an enthusiastic crowd.
Kevin
JW at the Latitude Festival last weekend
- Live Reviews
The evening started out with X the 35 year old punk band from
8.50 and the houselights dim, the PJ sign lights up behind the stage and the band stroll on and launch into ‘Release’ from debut album Ten. An intense moment and one that has the crowd singing, from the off. it’s a mark of a great band is that they don’t have to start an arena gig with a blast but, can start a gig with one of their greatest songs because there is more than enough in the locker for the rest of the evening.
‘Do the Evolution’ from Yield and ‘Corduroy’ from Vitalogy gets three albums covered in three songs and the concert is well and truly on the move. "How are you doing?" Eddie asks. "It's a question we ask of you as a collective, but we mean it individually." and I really do believe that they do.
These first 70 minutes are a non-stop breathless set which is very impressive after twenty years. The audience are rap in attention and enjoyment. Very little back and forth to the bars, toilets etc., which is quite amazing for such a large capacity gig.
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It is not often that Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers find their way to our shores but in 2012, we are in luck.
On a European tour which takes in various festivals including this weekend’s bash on the Isle of Wight, tonight at the Royal Albert Hall in
Tickets as you can imagine were like gold dust. Most were sold through fan club sales. I managed to get some tickets in the Gods of the Choir, right up in the crows nest which, actually turned out to be a very good vantage point.
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James Yorkston in part came to prominence by way of airplay from John Peel and Laurence Bell of Domino Records, who signed him to the label. James’ debut for Domino was released in 2002, Moving Up Country which was recorded with a number of friends and associates accredited as "The Athletes"
First thing to do before tonight’s gig is read the poster…. I went in assuming James Yorkston & The Athletes (The poster actually said, James Yorkston). The audience only numbered 52 (James mentioned). Some more tickets went on the door no doubt but, it was a sparse crowd for the size of venue and disappointing although, the flip size is that the select few did get a very intimate show.
This was a solo show and Seamus Fogarty was first on. A charming chap, nice songs and a typical 'Fence’ lovable mishap strewn set. Tuning a string Up takes time, then a busted string, but he carries on even though ‘D' is needed for the next solo! Then he gets hold of James’ guitar to finish the set. Great fun and lots of applause.
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I have seen Sharon van Etten in concert a few times home and abroad and I pretty much think all of these have been solo. Last night was the first time I had seen the ‘new’ Sharon van Etten and a lovely evening it was too.
First up was EXITMUSIC, the Brooklyn-based duo of Aleksa Palladino and
The band delivers expansive musical soundscapes that filled the space of the Scala with ease. Keyboard and guitars drive the sound with the vocals strong enough to soar above the instrumentation. New album Passage is released on 21st May via Secretly Canadian and is well worth checking out.
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I seem to start most gig reviews these days by saying it was a cold, dark, wet, dreary night, and last night was no different. On Monday 14th May, it was still light, but wet, cold and miserable - perhaps just the night for a band from
First up it’s Siobhan Wilson. As Louis from Admiral Fallow explained later in the evening, there was no support booked for the gig, so he rang Siobhan who had yesterday moved from
A very unique and smoky voice delivered some beautiful fragile songs. She really brought a hush over the room, much to her credit. An idea voice for jazz, Siobhan is certainly one to watch for the future.
9.30pm, and the seven piece Admiral Fallow hit the stage. Well, five of them do, two could not fit on, and so they played behind the “splendid” merchandise table.
- Live Reviews
A wet, dreary night in
Effort rewarded straight away with two guys known as
Lots of turning of dials, pressing of buttons, sliding up and down of levers (I am sure there are technical terms for all that) which produced a quite delightful sound experience. Eerie, industrial and angelic soundscapes. The band’s debut ep is now available here
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Tonight it was the Simone Felice Group unplugged. The evening kicked off with the fabulous voice of Simi Stone for half a dozen songs. A cover of Neil Young’s ‘Birds’, two songs dedicated to a past friend and her father and then, a song dedicated to someone “still alive”. A nice way to set the scene and a voice that must get some serious recognition soon.
Having been at an intensely electric and emotionally charged gig at Bush Hall in
Although the Junction 2 is a small venue, the stage is larger than Bush Hall and the audience is seated, as opposed to standing. The venue was two thirds full unlike
- Live Reviews
Second Jason Isbell gig for me in 3 nights - tonight it’s the Boogaloo in Highgate, following on from a show at the Slaughtered Lamb on Sunday, and his support slots on the current Ryan Adams tour. So Jason has been a busy man.
We got there in time for the doors opening and grabbed a table near the stage. Full marks to the Boogaloo for having decent beer on tap and charging sensible prices for it (including real ale - London Pride last night).
The intimate venue was packed, but not uncomfortably so, for Jason Isbell and his opener, James Walbourne. Walbourne provided an excellent opening set, indicating that highly accomplished, bluesy fretwork was a good way to beat his hangover. It helped with mine…
Jason was relaxed, but compelling, as he played an hour and a half set, mixing songs from all stages of his career. The audience was highly appreciative and many seemed to be mouthing the words to Jason's songs. A touching moment came at the end of the set with the dedication of the
“Can you hear that singing? Sounds like gold”. It sure does!
Photo by joshua black wilkins
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- Live Reviews
A lovely venue is the Bush Hall in London. Small, carpeted floor, chandeliers and nice enough sound.
Tonight is another in the long line of Simone Felice gigs we have attended over the past few years and, as usual the man does not disappoint. The first impression is Simone’s rather stark and serve appearance as he steps onto the stage with the other members of the band, on his new ‘solo’ tour.
Slicked back hair, long black overcoat and pale complexion. He gives the look of a troubled soul. ‘New York Times’ kicks off the set and the intensity of the performance strikes a cord immediately. Beautiful voice, stained facial expressions as the lyrics are delivered. The intensity in the eyes is almost frightening. ‘U&I Belong’ follows and by the time of ‘Summer Rain’ the smile was on everyone’s faces; band and audience alike and an intimate atmosphere had been created and was not broken during the entire length of the set.
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Searching for the 'first dance' song at my wedding…..
Here I sit with a blank sheet of paper twelve hours after the gig, still trying to suppress the urge to gush. I’ll try my best but it may be difficult. This was a truly wonderful show.
The venue was perfect, sound magnificent, audience respectful (no cameras, only a handful of shouts towards the end). Two men, three guitars and a piano and what looked like two or three cups of tea.
A healthy attentive crowd in for ex Drive By Truckers (sans The 400 Unit) Jason Isbell. One man, one guitar and, a canon of songs that other artists can just dream of creating. I saw a full band show in
Jason plays a couple of solo shows in London next week; the Slaughtered Lamb this Sunday, and at the Boogaloo on Tuesday 01 May. If you are in town, don’t miss them!
A short interval and the clock strikes 8.50pm as Ryan, one man, two guitars and a piano, strolls on stage to a rapturous reception. As he strikes the opening cords to ‘Sweet Carolina’ hush descends on the audience to the extent that you could hear a pin drop, (well, I couldn’t after forty years of gigs, but you know what I mean) followed quickly by ‘Ashes and Fire’. The audience are hooked and in a rhythm: quiet, thunderous applause, quiet, thunderous applause for the rest of the evening.
At this point something has to be said about the quality of the sound, which is crystal clear all night long. As the saying goes ‘Don’t piss off the sound guy’. He or she or they did an excellent job last night.
As the set continues, I start thinking about which Ryan song would be perfect for the first dance at my upcoming wedding. Ryan’s music has meant a lot to us both over the past decade. Answers on a postcard to
Ryan makes a comment early on I think along the lines of wishing he had some cough sweets to offer to a section of the audience, but really the crowd were attentive and restrained for pretty much the entire gig, from where I was sitting.
Ryan’s chat is very limited all night meaning that the songs flow quickly on the heels of each other. ‘ Ashes and Fire’ and ‘Heartbreaker’ are the touchstones for the night’s set, although other songs stand out too, including ’The End’ which is preceded by a comment about the song’s inspiration. The song for me then takes on a whole new light and is delivered with fire.
A slow paced piano rendition of ‘Rescue Blues’ is superb, Whiskeytown’s ‘Sixteen Days’ and ‘English Girls Approximately’ all stand out, but to be honest so does the entire set.
Encore is Dio’s ‘Holy Diver’ and then it’s lights up. As we leave the hall to Whitney Houston blasting out of the speakers there is many a beaming face among the punters.
Pete
Ryan Adams itunes session
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- Live Reviews
My first ever trip to The Wilmington Arms (great little pub and music venue with a fine selection of beers) was on Thursday (19 Apr) for the launch event of Fence Records latest EP.
This being the endearingly haphazard Fence, neither, the EP nor the album that they were also launching were actually available (due to the rush of vinyl being created for Record Store Day apparently).
First on the bill was The Pictish Trail with an acoustic set featuring a new song which apparently comes free with a new t-shirt (!). Between song banter about the price of 1st class rail tickets and the aforementioned vinyl issues warmed the crowd up nicely for Delifinger. I guess you'd call them 'folktronica' if you're into labels. They were pretty good, for me the tracks with the more electronic stuff going on, were the most interesting.
Headliner for the night was Seamus Fogarty, promoting his new album 'God Damn You Mountain'. Since I last saw him at The Shacklewell Arms he's added a laptop to his onstage set-up, allowing him to start and end the show with some effects and loops alongside his acoustic guitar (he still doesn't seem to have bought a guitar tuner though!).
Backed on and off throughout the show by a string duo he played a great set. The highlight for me was his song about being a builder and going to Mexico - which I'd requested when I spoke to him in the bar earlier on.
All in all it was a great night out for a fiver - I've ordered the Seamus Fogarty album so I'll post a review when it arrives.
Russell Barton
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