- 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
- Live Reviews
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.
- Live Reviews
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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- Live Reviews
A fine bill has been laid on tonight by local promoters ‘Crushing Death & Grief Fuzzy Lights offshoot ‘Violet Woods’ get the evening off to a sparkling start with lovely tunes and jangly sonic guitars.
I watched the BBC4 Prog Britannia TV show at the weekend and it talked about the
Next up, the quite original ‘The Doomed Bird of Providence’ fronted by the larger than life Australian Mark Kluzek - a “non-accordion player”, who played the accordion and sang fervently on cold dark tales of woe from the debut album ‘Will Ever Pray’
Apparently the band, who were in a six piece mode last night, have the support of BBC 6Music’s Tom Ravenscroft and you would think, a pretty decent future in front of them. A great live set.
Last up and the night’s headliners are
Based in
With the songs sung via two mics simultaneously, the music become all the more layered and doom laden (in a nice way). This is an exceptional outfit, and quite why they are not up there with the recognition of say an Editors, Glasvegas or Foals is beyond me after three albums.
There, I got through the
The ticket price for this gig was £5, and the small venue was only 50% full. It really is worth going out on a Sunday night!
Pete
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SPRING 2012 tour
25th March:
26th March:
27th March:
28th March: Preston, The Continental
29th March: Lancaster, Yorkshire House
30th March: Glossop, The Oakwood
31st March: Wigan, The Tudor
1st April:
- Live Reviews
In the run up to The Shins' Forum gigs, a little battle was brewing amongst friends - which of the Shins' albums is their classic?
My vote, quite passionately expressed, was for Oh, Inverted World, the original, the best in my view, and the one with the song that will change your life, according to the film
But based on Friday night's performance it turns out I might have been wrong. Because the highlights of the night, standing out above even the fragile beauty of New Slang, came from the Shins' third album ‘Wincing the Night Away’.
Sleeping Lessons was the stand out track by a million miles. Despite having listened to the album hundreds of times, I'm not sure I'd ever really heard this song. "If the old guards still offend, they’ve got nothing left on which you depend", "You don't have to swallow anything you despise"? Pick your issue - these are fighting words for our times.
In fact, the whole performance brought a new passion to old songs. The new band members were enthused, energetic and clearly delighted to be performing for us. James Mercer looked the same, but he seemed relaxed and confident in the company of his new colleagues. New songs such as Simple Song and the title track of the new
There was nothing not to like about this gig, however, just varying levels of pleasure and enjoyment. There was a lot of talk before this tour about whether James Mercer had made a mistake in replacing his original band. Tonight he proved that new blood brings extra freshness and life to already excellent material. With their tequila shots, crazy hair, and enthusiasm, it felt a little like discovering the next big thing. Or even better, the next big thing who already have four albums to argue over.
Wonderful.
Louise Neilan
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- Live Reviews
A night out for us UK-based SXSW drop-outs, who really wanted to be in
Rob St John was the support. I thought he really showed promise, with some great support from his two band members. Seemingly in the territory of Low, but most closely aligned with Mark Kozalek/Red House Painters - who when talking to a member of the band after the show, he had never heard of, so there you go! Potentially a lo-fi gem.
Tall Firs are on their third record, but the first released via ATP. On the new record called ‘Out of it, Into it’, the harmonies and songs are delightfully intense and gentle in equal measure. Live, the songs take on a rawer edge. At times they sound a little REM or Bruce Springsteen, at others more like Kings of Convenience. Often the difference in style depends on which of the two friends has taken on the ‘lead singer’ role – something they change throughout the set. What is consistent, however, is the great friendship that Dave Mies and Aaron Mullen have going – they’re very relaxed together and they have the straight and funny guy routine off pat!
The only complaints of the evening are the incompatibility between a seated band and a low stage (meaning we could see almost nothing of the guys and their guitars), and the rude audience members who clearly had no intention of listening, and chatted throughout.
But the band are clearly delighted to be part of the ATP crowd and are enjoying being on the road and chatting to fans. The new record was pretty much covered during the hour long set and comes highly recommended for your 2012 album collection.
Lovely evening.
Pete & Lou
Rob St John’s album Weald is available on Toad Records
Tall Firs – Out of It, Into It is available via ATP Records
Our review of the album
- Live Reviews
Although, I have known the album cover of 'In the Aeroplane over the Sea' for many years, from the bargain bins, I only brought it for I guess £5 a couple of years ago. The early tales of Nineties first love, angst and wild landscape sonic guitars passed be by at the time but, I can appreciate them now in a cinematic way, where you go to watch a movie about a past time at the Picture House I guess. I then discovered ‘On Avery Island’ and both records are regulars on any road trips.
The Union Chapel was a warm place tonight with the heaters blazing and the place pretty much full by the time The Music Tapes took to the stage. Julian Koster like Jeff, an erstwhile member of Netural Milk Hotel is the front man of tonight’s 3 piece (Laura Carter appeared with the band during Jeff’s set).
The band are a whirlwind of sound and visual attention grabbing impact along the lines of say, a Devotchka or A Hawk & A Hacksaw. Eastern European stories and sounds predominate. Julian’s favourite instruments seem to be a Banjo played with a bow and a Saw, again played with a bow. Great fun but any commercial success must be limited.
- Live Reviews
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
Tuesday night at chapel and there's a different kind of reverence going on between the stone pillars near Highbury Corner.
From the altar, one man and his many guitars had this
In this case, it's important to mention place. The Union Chapel is an understandably and increasingly popular venue. It seems there isn’t a singer or a band that doesn't want to play here these days. They usually stand, gaze around and go "Wow!"
I've seen a few of what you might call top gigs here. And some utter rubbish too. This venue itself, splendid as it is, cannot make a gig. At worst, it can be unforgiving: mid-January, with a boney backside on a sub-zero pew, and - no criticism, it is a place of prayer - you're not even allowed a wee dram inside. So supping coffee and watching Mangum was fine, but something stronger might've softened the relative blandness of others on this same stage (yes, Gutter Twins).
- Live Reviews
It’s back to our favourite venue of the moment, the Junction
The audience is made up of a mix of LC devotees and people (like myself) who have just never got around to seeing him live before. Lloyd did make a comment half way through, thanking partners of twosomes for coming along supporting their loved one, as it very rare in a partnership that he finds both people liking his music.
Still best known as singer/songwriter of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions (1984 to 1989) he remains without doubt a marvellous performer who has a crisp clear 50 something voice which delivers the stories of the songs very effectively. Self effacing he plays a crowd pleasing set reaching through a vast back catalogue and new songs too boot, all of which, are covered over two, one hour sets.
Most of his chat centres around his accommodation for the night which is, the brand named hotel next to the venue, which still remains best outlined by John Grant’s introduction to his song ‘Where Dreams Go to Die’, Much I think in the thoughts of LC.
So a very pleasant intimate gig with a charming troubadour.
Pete
