erland cooper
The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge - 26th Sept 23
Words - Neil Milner
Erland Cooper is a composer of modern classical ambient music. He was also a founding member of Erland and the Carnival, and the Magnetic North. He is from Orkney, which has strongly influenced much of his solo studio albums.
His latest record, the wonderful funereal Folded Landscapes, a response to the climate crises, features guest appearances from British poet laureate Simon Armitage and environmentalist activist Greta Thunberg.
Neither make an appearance here tonight, but some of the Scottish Ensemble, who he made the record with, accompany Erland as a string quartet on this tour. He is joined by Midori Jaeger, a cellist, singer, and songwriter who also provided the evening’s support. Midori is clearly a skilled musician and has a delightful haunting vocal. But equally everyone on stage has exceptional talent, and it was a privilege watching them perform.
Tonight, was the final night of their tour, and like every artist I see playing at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club, they made a point of saying how much they loved it, and how well they were treated.
The music is at times deeply moving. Most tracks they play are from earlier albums Solan Goose and Sule Skerry.
Audience interaction is something Erland values, emphasised during the track Solan Goose, when he invites everyone to access a link to his website on their mobile phones which plays the sound of a gannet, (see link below). He directs the audience to increase and then lower the volume at key points. It was a wonderful moment that worked incredibly well and is something that wouldn’t have been possible 10 years ago.
He later imagines we are on a night ferry heading towards Orkney, so the lights are dimmed and gradually come back on as he imagines the sun slowly rising, all to the backdrop of welcoming, but eery orchestration.
There were many highlights, too many to go into detail, but I will mention Skreever, (from Hether Blether), and Maalie, (from Solan Goose), which were not only played beautifully, but created gorgeous, dreamscape worlds in doing so.
You can correctly conclude that I enjoyed this magical evening.
Links
live at leeds in the city
Various venues - 14th Oct 23
Words & Photos - Lewis Wolstenholme
In the heart of the city of Leeds, festival goers and music lovers came together to watch over 130 artists across 17 stages and 14 venues in the city centre. Live at Leeds once again delivered an unforgettable experience that left attendees with lasting memories to cherish.
The line-up consisted of well-established names from Kid Kapichi, Shame and Wunderhorse to up and coming artists like Nadia Kadek, Chiedu Oraka and many more that outperformed anything I expected to hear. From indie acoustic sets to heavy rock, rap and everything in-between, there really is something for everyone here.
I started my day by heading to Mill Hill Chapel to watch the amazing Nadia Kadek. Nadia graced the Chapel as the first act at that venue, playing a 30-minute set of original and acoustic material that would inspire any musician who was watching. Through the set, the acoustics and stained-glass windows of the chapel set an amazing atmosphere that was sure not to be forgotten through the angelic performance.
Soon after I headed down to the wardrobe to watch TikTok sensation Arthur Hill who I had just found out was not only a comedian but also a musician. With an impressive energy brought to the packed-out venue, him and his band played through a set of pop tunes that would be sure to keep everyone’s heads nodding.
Still being in the early hours of this festival, I visited the well-established Belgrave Music Hall which is a venue I’m sure you’ll know if not for the music but the great pizza it serves downstairs. I saw Nell Mescal play a full band set of her Indie pop singer-songwriter music with an impressive staging, lighting, and sound setup it has for the small room it is.
Definitely an artist I will listen to more of after seeing her brilliant performance.
Leading onto the later hours of the festival, I moved onto the larger venues hosting the more established artists of the day. Making sure to get there early, Leeds Becket’s Student Union (at capacity) hosted The Last Dinner Party, a memorable set for the energy and atmosphere on stage with their die-hard fans in the front row singing every lyric to every song. This was not a show to miss. Wunderhorse came on after them keeping the energy high and the venue full for an insanely high-energy hour-long set.
Heading off to the last show of the night, I went and saw the post-punk band Shame at the Leeds University Union Stylus stage. From stage dives and mosh pits in the first ten minutes of the show, the room was like no other.
This really captured what Live At Leeds is all about. A festival to not only find your new favourite artist but to explore all these different venues around Leeds for high energy, and amazing sets from talented musicians and bands from around the UK.
Live At Leeds In The City 2023 was really not one to miss!
S Club
Leeds Arena - 20th Oct 23
Words & photos - Lewis Wolstenholme
The early 2000s was a time full of nostalgia, where catchy pop songs were all over the radio and everywhere you would go. CDs were at the front of every shop and at the top of the charts were the iconic British pop group, S Club 7. Fast forward to now, and cities around the UK joined together as the group embarked on their "The Good Times Tour". Revisiting the best bits of their past and their newly released music that the whole crowd thoroughly enjoyed.
S Club 7's line-up may have changed, but the energy and chemistry among the members remained as infectious as ever. They still carried the heart and soul of the performance with them and their fans paying their respects to the late Paul Cattermole, whose energy was very much still in the room. Their vocals were strong and consistent throughout, and the great stage presence made it seem like the old days when the full band performed together.
The setlist was a mix of their greatest hits, including "S Club Party," "Don't Stop Movin'," and "Never Had a Dream Come True." Each song was met with dancing fans singing out from the very front right to the back of the crowd. The band also played their newly released “These Are The Days” which to my surprise was written nearly twenty years ago. It fits perfectly into their current discography, and you couldn’t tell it wasn’t already a pop hit!
My highlight of the night was "Reach", with a brightly lit rainbow-coloured stage and star-shaped confetti reaching from the front to the tops of the arena, the whole crowd joined in a loud sing-dance-along with all ages singing at the top of their lungs. It was evident that the music of S Club 7 was bringing together fans of all ages both young and old.
The production of the show was brilliant, featuring great sound and visuals supporting the song played throughout the night. With great lighting and sound technicians, the whole show was impeccable. The choreography was reminiscent of that from the early 2000s and the bright costumes added to this nostalgia. The show's visuals also included behind-the-scenes clips during the middle of the show as the group left the stage and videos featuring Paul Cattermole and the group played.
The encore featured "Never Had a Dream Come True", followed by a reprise of "S Club Party," which had the crowd from front to back dancing and singing.
Overall, the night was filled with high-energy performances, catchy pop songs and great nostalgia that brought fun to the generations of people in the audience whilst paying their respects and honouring their previous band member Paul Cattermole.
the bootleg beatles
The Old Woollen, Farsley - 28th Oct 23
Words & photos - John McEvoy
So...
Straight off the bat let’s just say that when it comes to tribute bands there’s always been a bit of the ‘what’s the point’ about them, for me at least.
However, there are always exceptions to every rule, and Ladies & Gentlemen, I can safely say that The Bootleg Beatles are very much this exception!!
The Beatles are of course one of THE greatest bands of all time (well I think so!) and anyone attempting to imitate them takes on a mighty challenge.
The Bootleg Beatles manage to not only produce the sound of the original band, they also look like them to an almost eerie level. Indeed, they’ve perfected their movements and mannerisms to such a degree that at points during the evening you would swear they were the genuine article.
For these reasons they are rightly regarded as the definitive tribute band and have become a global phenomenon. Check out their website for details of their extensive tour itinerary.
And so it was that having just recently played a sell-out gig at the Royal Albert Hall, they then played their set to a capacity (500) audience at The Old Woollen in Farsley which quite rightly is rapidly establishing itself as one of the best small music venues in Leeds.
From opening track ‘Saw Her Standing There’ the crowd loved every minute of this extensive 30 plus track set. The set delivered the songs in chronological order, and it was a wonderful trip through some truly great tunes.
It was also good to see that the crowd was made up of all age ranges from the, ahem, more mature, downwards and is testament to the quality and longevity of a band who are still revered despite the passing of the years.
Huge singalongs were of course the order of the day and “Yesterday’ was just one of the many highlights of the evening.
The trip through the years continued with ‘Come Together’ and ‘Revolution’ being two of my personal favourites, and of course no night like this would be complete without “Hey Jude’ which of course the audience joined in with.
It’s hard to come up with superlatives to describe just how good the current line-up of the Bootleg Beatles really are, all I can say is that if you get chance, you really should catch them live.
They really are quite extraordinary to see and hear.
the sheratons
The Brudenell, Leeds - 20th Oct 23
Words & photo Dave Flerin
Gigging around the country? Check!
Sold out show tonight at The Brudenell? Check!
Passionate local followings? Present, and ready for duty, sir!
Tonight’s show is a bit of a showcase for two talented young indie bands on the cusp of achieving national success, and the smell of expectation is hanging heavy in the air. Not even Storm Babet has prevented the punters from making their way here despite all the trains being cancelled tonight.
Manchester's Rosellas grace the stage vacated by awesome openers, Backspace. This Manchester five-piece have a great guitar-driven sound, polished off with some moody keyboards.
They’re like a throwback to 1993, with Teenage Fanclub-style harmonies played out against a baggy backbeat, courtesy of their s*** hot drummer. " Before the Storm" is a great nouveau baggy anthem representative of their sound. To be honest, it's taken me back to the early 90s, with their singer and bass player even sporting matching mid-90s Manchester haircuts.
Their mini-set is a mini-triumph, before they pass the baton to their mates, The Sheratons; who set off at 100mph right from the get-go. Frontman Kane’s a no-nonsense, accessible focus for the band. He’s like everyone's unassuming best mate but there's something simmering underneath, which is driving every chord and lyric.
Tom is Keith Moon reborn, with a massive personality and an unfeasible range of facial gurns to accompany his kick-ass drumming; Finley excels on guitar and audience-baiting duties; whilst Alex holds all the madness together on bass. Three songs in, and we get an epic rendition of “Part of a Picture” which threatens to bring the roof down, and is the real tour de force in this set. It coincides with the sudden appearance of a fully-fledged mosh pit, which the younger and wilder punters take grateful advantage of.
They throw in a cover of “I Fought the Law” which actually sounds like one of their own songs; and “The Bubblegum Gang” which fully out-Arctic Monkeys the Arctic Monkeys, a huge compliment given how good they used to be. Kane and co plough through what sounds like hit after hit until they are joined on stage by Backspace singer, Rosie, for a big old blast through “Ziggy Stardust”, providing a fitting end to a sweaty, unforgettable evening of music.
On this form, surely bigger things are on the cards…
punk rock factory
The Stylus, Leeds - 28th Oct 23
Words & photos - Levi Tubman
Like most of PRF’s tour, tonight is sold out, and it’s not just the venue that’s full, tonight we have a DJ, followed by Adam And The Metal Hawks, DJ again and then Punk Rock Factory, sounds a long night! Then there’s Toby, more of him later.
DJ Matt Stock, in a questionable salmon pink jacket and even more questionable wig is working the crowd hard, cheesy wedding DJ in looks only, he worked the crowd hard with rock and punk classes. Ending with Cher Turn Back time, the song playing out as Adam And The Metal Hawks take the stage. Kicking the Halloween evening off with a cover of Time Walk, the band are tight and full of energy.
Making use of the whole stage, jumping on stands all while Adams unique voice screams and howls, his amazing range and tone leave you feeling you’ve already seen the headline act.
Back between the bands is DJ Matt Stock, now with questionable dancing too! And it works, it feels like there’s no break between the acts, it’s seamless and he knows his audience, ending the set with Call Me Maybe you feel the floor shake!
As the news loves telling us, we’re in a cost of living crisis, you can pay hundreds of pounds to see a single band at an arena from half a mile away, instead for a fraction of the cost you can see up close and personal music from the likes of Abba, Elton John and the Thundercat’s.
Then 10 seconds after taking the stage, singer Peej is in the crowd, and I’m hooked! Opening with I Just Can’t Wait ToBe king from the Lion King lets you know what sort of evening you’re in for!
The energetic four piece from the south of Wales turn classic songs and pulling a lot from TV and Movies,into high energy punk rock classics, and god it works well. The Little Mermaids Under The Sea is a belter.
Disney songs are known for being catchy and melodic which lend themselves perfectly to their sound. PRF aren’t a band that just play the songs with distorted guitar and call it done, every number really does sound like pop punk, even though it might be the theme song from Paw Patrol.
The guitar tone and style is there, the vocals are spot on, the rattle on the bass and frantic drums all have the hallmarks of a pop punk band, they’re arranged and played until they’re pop punk songs that just happen to be from a Disney movie.
Back-to-back intros from SpongeBob, Alvin and The Chipmunks and Pokémon, at the most taking up the run time of just one standard pop song, they’re only averaged a track every 4 minutes, stretching SpongeBob out as long as they can, starting up with things like Whooooo… is having a good time tonight?
Just as the crowd join in with lives in a pineapple under the sea? The band are openly pleased with themselves enjoying playing with the fans almost as much as playing the music.
They love interacting with the audience, with some very tenuous links between stories and bad jokes to the next song, but it’s all part of the fun and this is a band that is all about the fun. I think they’re having more fun than us at times, laughing playing and dancing about the stage peaking with a race between 2 audience members crowd surfing across the audience on inflatable hot dogs!
They pick 2 people but the crowd starts chanting pick the kid and pointing to someone on a parents shoulders at the back who quickly makes his way to the front, but as they now have one contestant too many they pull him onto the stage to commentate on the race after loudly announcing himself as Toby the kid who looks maybe 8 starts to dance around the stage and the crowd love it, they’ve found their champion!
Throughout the rest of the gig betweensongs the audience erupts into chants of TOBY TOBY TOBY, disrupting intros as he’s seen leaving the pit to roaring applause and chants when he returns once again on shoulders, but the band take it in their stride, completely unphased they accept him as part of the show and even gets in the list of thanks at the end.
The disruption shows the bands experience and professionalism, who joke throughout about how bad they play, while not missing a beat. While they are to a degree a comedy band who don’t seem to take themselves seriously it’s great to see the music is tight and so well-rehearsed, because some of the numbers are not easy. The speed they play You’re Welcome from Moana make the middle section impossible for most of the crowd to keep up with but no problem for PRF.
It’s hard to pick a highlight from the night, with it be pulling on childhood memories covering the theme to The Gummi Bears, or one of my all time favouritessongs, Defying Gravity from Wicked, its perfect from start to finish.
Deafened by everyone singing along around you, feeling the floor shake with the crowd jumping and dancing, it’s a high energy fun entertaining show, and one of my all-time favourites, from a superb band through both support acts and fantastic venue.
I’ll certainly be there when they return in a year’s time!
While we don’t talk about Bruno, we do talk about Toby!
The streets
O2 Leeds - 4th Nov 23
Words & Photos - Lewis Wolstenholme
Last night I had the opportunity of photographing the legendary “The Streets” at his sold-out show at the O2 Academy in Leeds. To say it was busy was an understatement. The room and balcony were filled with fans waiting for Mike Skinner to come on. But until he did we were blessed by the likes of Master Peace and the amazing DJ set from Joy Anonymous that got the crowd buzzing.
Once it hit 8:30 the lights went down and the opening note drone of “Turn the Page” from his hit album Original Pirate Material started playing. The crowd chanted the violin melody until he came out and started his first verse. The energy in the room was truly like none other. The live sound mix from any point in that room sounded brilliant and the whole team did an outstanding job throughout the whole set.
The energy didn’t stop with his second song “Who’s Got The Bag” to which he came off the stage and into the front of the crowd, continuing to finish the song in the middle of the crowd at the venue. Lighting and performances from his full band were unmatched and high energy throughout the whole night which didn’t stop as after this show he did a DJ set afterparty at Belgrave Music Hall.
I first heard of Mike Skinner through his song with Fred Again which I was very excited to hear him play, during which he organised a crowd surf of people from the crowd. This was just one of the many highlights throughout the night!
He covered his classics like his number one chart-topper “Dry Your Eyes” and “Fit But You Know It” which the audience all sang along and religiously knew the words too. It was so great to see such a wide range of fans from all ages come together, truly showing that The Streets’ music is timeless and will carry on for generations. Especially if he makes another album like his most recent “The Darker The Shadow The Greater The Light”
Setlist:
1. Turn the Page
2. Who’s Got the Bag
3. Let’s Push Things Forward
4. Don’t Mug Yourself
5. Could Well Be In
6. Everything Is Borrowed
7. Has It Come To This?
8. I Wish You Loved You as Much as You Love Him
9. Wrong Answers Only
10. Never Went to Church
11. It’s Too Late
12. The Escapist
13. On the Edge of a cliff
14. Troubled Waters
15. Weak Become Heroes / Prangin’ Out
16. Too Much Yayo
17. Mike (desert island duvet)
18. Fit but You Know It
19. Bright Sunny Day
20. Dry Your Eyes
21. Blinded by the Lights
22. Take Me as I Am
squid
Project House, Armley, Leeds - 17th Oct 23
Word & photos - John McEvoy
Following the release of their second album ’O Monolith’ in June earlier this year, Brighton based Squid have been touring up and down these fair isles, and I had the pleasure of catching their set at the relatively new venue, Project House in Armley, Leeds.
As we reviewers always like to do, we try to categorise bands style, however in this instance this proved a bit of a challenge! I finally decided that there’s no point re-inventing the wheel and a quick look at their Wikipedia page described them as ‘Post Punk, Experimental Rock, New Rock, ambient’.
In fairness this is quite a fair description as I found them to be indeed a mish mash of styles hence my dilemma in trying to categorise them.
Bizarrely their opening track ‘Swing In A Dream’ reminded me of early tracks from The Police and drummer Ollie Judge on vocals and drums (always a challenging role I think) reminded me a little of Ian Curtis, all underpinned by a cacophonous guitar, brass section. A great start to any set, I think!
Much of tonight was as expected made up of primarily material from their new album and I particularly enjoyed ‘Undergrowth’ with its opening bars of laid-back groove which soon gave away to a thrashy shoegaze segment.
What I particularly like about this band is that they are clearly influenced by numerous genres, and they successfully manage to incorporate all of this into their live set.
Whilst the new material was very much front and centre, they also threw in a few tracks from their debut album ‘’Bright Green Field’ released in 2021 with ‘G.S.K’, ‘Peel St’, ‘Documentary Filmmaker’ and my personal favourite ‘Narrator’.
Set closer ‘The Blades’ for me summed up what this band is all about with their eclectic musical style and at points I felt that there was even a touch of prog rock thrown in for good measure!
Are Squid a band set to take the world by storm?
Frankly who knows, but what I do know is that I find that when you bring a bunch of talented musicians together with a wide taste in music, the end result can be something that’s quite unique, and if there’s any justice, they really should have a very bright future ahead of them.
Catch them if you can…
Setlist:
· Swing In A Dream
· Undergrowth
· G.S.K.
· Devil’s Den
· After The Flash
· Peel St
· Documentary Filmmaker
· If You Had Seen The Bulls Swimming
· Paddling
· Narrator
· The Blades
baby queen
Leeds Stylus - 11th Nov 23
Word & photos - Lewis Wolstenholme
Celebrating her album release ‘Quarter Life Crisis’ which came out the day before the show, her tour stopped off at the Leeds Stylus. Although still having tickets on the door, the venue was full and the atmosphere was as good as any.
Baby Queen moved to London from South Africa at the age of 18 to pursue her music career and was later signed to Polydor Records in 2020. Since then her new debut album sums up her journey as a creative that leads us up to this point.
The alt-indie singer came out with her self-titled album track ‘Quarter Life Crisis’, not only sounding great but was accompanied by her top band and great visuals. The stage was themed to look like the new album cover, having pinboards towards the front of the stage with album-related art on, and the picture of her room in the back. The lighting not only supported each of the songs as they varied from heartfelt acoustic tracks to full-band rock arrangements but, rivalled that of lighting arrangements in much bigger venues.
The show truly encapsulated all the emotions Baby Queen was trying to capture with the new release of material reflected in songs you could sing, dance and be moved by. From highly produced rock tracks to solo piano and vocal performances, all areas of her music were covered.
My personal favourites from the night were ‘i can’t get my shit together’ and the first song of the high energy encore ‘Want Me’ but the show as a whole was both well put together and entertaining throughout.
Having to keep the crowd engaged throughout the whole show must have been difficult at times. A very large portion of the show was brand-new material that not everyone would have known, but her dedicated fanbase already knew the lyrics to most of these! An amazing atmosphere was present that night, with a brilliant production setup and amazing music, I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining the show was throughout!
Setlist:
- Quarter Life Crisis
- kid genius
- Dream Girl
- You Shaped Hole
- 23
- every time i get high
- Love Killer
- Die Alone
- Buzzkill
- a letter to myself at 17
- Grow Up
- Internet Religion
- Raw Thoughts
- Obvious
- I can't get my shit together
- Dover Beach
- Want Me
- We Can Be Anything
mcfly
Leeds O2 - 13th Nov 23
Review & Photos - Levi Tubman
McFly are out celebrating their 20 year anniversary, the band who exploded onto the UK pop scene at the start of the millennium have put out a couple of new albums over the last few years after a hiatus, including 2023’s Power To Play, the title of the tour, could they still pull the crowds after a few decades?
The O2 is sold out tonight, and not just sold out everyone is there early to get to the front and see the band up close!
Opening for the band on the tour are Lost Alone, whose lead singer, Steven Battelle, helped wite the new McFly album, but tonight they just don’t seem to quite hit it, they play with energy and enthusiasm. The songs are upbeat and catchy and they can play, but the crowd don’t react, with a few areas singing lyrics back leaving unusual silences, not helped by a few complaints about the crowd over the mic, honestly I don’t fault the band, I think it’s a case of the fans so eager to see the headline that they see the support as being in the way which is a shame as they deserved more tonight.
The opening bars of YMCA come over the PA and the screaming starts! It’s a good mix in the O2 tonight but the crowd is weighted towards a female dominated crowd and the noise coming from behind me becomes almost deafening when the band run on stage, and then a fairly heavy sounding guitar riff, not a tone I was expecting to hear and they launch into “Where Did All The Guitars Go?” the lead single off the new album. It can be a risk opening with something new instead of a solid classic, but it’s a song with feel and groove with a chorus that’s catchy as all hell, McFly are on stage playing a cracking song taking a poke at modern pop music, and its lack of guitars drums and long hair, this isn’t the band I remember.
Three out of the first 4 songs are from the new album, with the logo taken straight from a 70’s rock band, angular and pointed, the music is following suit, the second song of the night, “Land Of The Bees” this perfect fusion of The Who and Rush, the song and performance are so good, I failed to notice I’d knocked my camera and stopped checking shots, net result was half of them were over exposed because I was enjoying the band way too much.
McFly are a band you can miss a couple of songs worth of photos because they never stop moving, there’s always something going on about with Tom leaning over into the crowd and going for a full Sistine chapel finger touch moment with someone in the front row, when the band are enjoying themselves as much as the crowd it makes the night.
20 years and 7 albums gives them a nice solid back catalogue to call on, everyone seems to be a fan favourite, when pulling out an acoustic guitar for a few numbers, the band play a deconstructed version of their hit, “All About You” it’s more delicate and subdued, instead leaning heavily on the clear warm vocals and picked guitar, beautifully reworked as the band get to show off more of their skills and makes it easy to fade out and let the audience fully take over, as the whole room sings the vocals with sections getting together to put in the backing vocals, I don’t think they could have gotten it so neat even if they rehearsed it!
Ending off the set with “Red” where the heavy driving bass and guitar has the whole room bouncing with Danny and his red microphone joining the crowd, you keep seeing glimpses of red here and there as he pops up and down making it back to the stage, just in time to run off for the briefest of encores before coming back for 3 last numbers ending the night with “5 Colours In Her Hair” going all the way back to the debut album 2 decades before.
I always saw them as a pop band pretending to be rock, but they can really play. With catchy infections tunes, yes there are some cheesy moments on the older numbers, but played live with this older band you forget that and listen back to them with different ears.
The new material is that of a much more matured group, but that’s the only time these 4 could be called mature, they are fun, silly, and full of energy on stage, you can see why some people see them 5 times on a single tour, and why they still sell out.
They are a 20-year-old breath of fresh air on stage, and I’m a little annoyed at myself not liking them for all these years just because its McFly!
While I expected to enjoy myself seeing them, them, I didn’t expect to leave a fan, and say they’re one of the best live bands I’ve seen!
Set List:
Where did all the guitars go
Land of the bees
One for the radio
God of Rock n Roll
Friday night
Corrupted
Lies
Route 55
I'm fine
Too close for comfort
Everybody knows
Star Girl
Happiness
Obviously
Not alone
All about you
Shine On
Red
Forever's not enough
Honey I'm home
5 colours in her hair
smoke fairies
Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds - 24th Nov 23
Review - Neil Milner
Photos - Wendy Nicholson
The Smoke Faries played at the Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds, to help promote their excellent sixth album, ‘Carried in Sound’. They are highly talented multi-instrumentalists’ and childhood friends. Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies and have been active since around 2006.
I’ve never been to this venue but was reassured to read at the entrance that I wouldn’t be welcome if I was taking part in the Otley Run or wearing fancy dress. My kind of place!
It's strange reviewing something I know I will enjoy. I’ve liked them for years. I love their folk blues, rhythmically underpinning through their songs. I love their traditional but strong song arrangements, providing you with the time and space to breathe and absorb. I love most of their song’s intense lyrics and melodies. I love their rich powerful extensive vocal ranges, harmonies, and contrast. It is interesting how they alternate between songs with one being understated, whilst the other stridently, but subtly construct their celestial magic. All this was here tonight in abundance.
Their songs are mostly slow-paced, and I would argue, at times artistically self-indulgent. This was evidenced on Sticks and Stones, following which the audience introduced themselves to the band. Someone said out loud how they really enjoyed it, and I could see why, as it could easily exist in an alternate universe as an integral part of an early 1970s album masterpiece. This was serious stuff.
As people, they sometimes appear introspective. Between songs they tune instruments and occasionally indulge in awkward conversations. Tonight, it was focussed on fauna – guinea pigs, stick insects and chickens. The latter reminded them of an early childish tune they wrote called Johnny is a Chicken which we got a short rendition of!
But their introspection and awkwardness was banished when performing, where they shine. Over half the songs they played were from ‘Carried in Sound’, and half of the others from their 2020 album ‘Darkness Brings the Wonders Home’. Blues was foremost. They spent 2002 living in New Orleans where they absorbed American blues, and that influence is noticeable on tracks such as Carried in Sound, On the Wing and Out of the Woods.
A special mention for Jake Gray, (Moonfleet Chamber Ensemble), who provided interesting and absorbing support. He played four tracks from a concept album he is still working on themed upon the contrasting politics of Woodstock 1969 with now.
It was an audio/visual package, with film footage, mostly of Woodstock, soundtracked by his completed tracks, which he provided live drums to. It was interesting to watch and a great listen.
Links
jah wobble
The Wardrobe, Leeds - 24th Nov 23
Review & Photos - Liam McEvoy
Following the release of his latest album A brief History of Now the legendary Jah Wobble called into The Wardrobe in Leeds with his band Invaders of the Heart to deliver a set that had a little of just about everything to please all in attendance.
Kicking things off at around 8:30 Jah Wobble took to the stage surrounded by a plethora of instruments and burst into life showing from the off just why he is such a highly regarded Bass player. Playing without a set list meaning each of the shows on this tour have been completely unique and this was no different.
A founding member of Public Image Ltd Jah Wobble had PIL tracks littered throughout the set Public Image was performed exceptionally well as was a version of Socialist which Jah described as being a drum and Bass version with some heavy metal sections and this went down a storm with the crowd.
Whist it is indisputable that Jah Wobble is a supremely talented musician, he also demonstrated his dramatic skills delivering the opening Monologue from Shakespeare’s Richard III before seamlessly transitioning into another classic PIL track Poptones, which again delighted the audience.
From start to finish Jah Wobble showed just why he is such a highly regarded bass player and delivered a quality set full of talent and personality.
With no set list in place every gig is a unique experience and if you want your own unique Jah Wobble experience, there are a few UK dates left to catch him before the end of the year.
Links:
the brand new heavies
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester - 16th Nov 23
Review & photos - John McEvoy
The last time Wall of Sound saw TBNH it was in a small club in Leeds. Tonight, things couldn’t have been more different…
The grand settings of Bridgewater Hall in Manchester saw them playing a greatest hits package to support the recent release of the ‘Best of’ album. Although this time there was an addition on stage on the form of the London Concert Orchestra.
I’ll make it clear from the outset that personally I’m not entirely sure what the orchestra actually brought to the proceedings as I prefer this band being, er, just a band. However, the audience seemed to appreciate them, so what do I know.
Unusually there was no support tonight, instead the gig was split into to 2 with an ‘interval’. Yes really!!
Now the TBNH have long been rightly revered as pioneers of a funk/acid jazz/R&B fusion and since their inception way back in ’85 have produced some of the finest music of this genre you’re likely to find. Having a backlog of almost a dozen albums to their credit they have an awful lot of material to play, but tonight was all about the hits. This is what the crowd wanted, and this is what they got!
Opening up with instrumental ‘Gimme One Of Those’ front men Simon Bartholomew (vocals and guitar), and Andrew Levy on Bass were front and centre playing the familiar funk groove the band are so well known for.
During the lifespan there have been several vocalists, currently it’s Angel Ricci who’s now been with them for over 5 years and what a great voice she has. Powerful and soulful is what’s needed, and she certainly delivered.
After a brief interval it was then straight into all the biggies and ‘Never Stop’, Dream On Dreamer’ and the Maria Muldaur tune ‘Midnight At The Oasis’ sounded just as good as ever. The big tunes just kept coming the audience warmed up and started to dance.
Absolutely no dancing in the aisles allowed though!
All too soon, it was the obligatory encore with ‘Forever’ and the sublimely brilliant ‘You Are My Universe’ closing out proceedings.
All in all, it was a great night, and whilst TBNH may not be regarded as a huge band, they are still rightfully regarded as still one of the finest exponents of this music genre, and long may the continue.
I look forward to catching them again in a small club in the future, this for me is where they really excel.
Set list:
Gimme One Of Those
People Get Ready
Sphynx
Have A Good Time
Closer
Jump And Move
Got To Give
Day Break
Interval
Never Stop
Sometimes
Back To Love
Dream On Dreamer
Midnight At The Oasis
Brother Sister
B.N.H
Stay This Way
Spend Some Time
Dream Come True
Encore
Forever
You Are The Universe
friendly fires - Beckett, Leeds - 28th Nov 23
Beckett, Leeds - 28th Nov 23
Review - John McEvoy
Photos - Liam McEvoy
One of the great joys of running Wall of Sound is that it’s a great privilege to go to so many gigs and one of the things we really love is discovering new bands.
I generally always make it a rule to the to catch the support band, and tonight was one of those times where I’m glad I did. Supporting the Friendly Knives were Porij. A 4 piece from Manchester, and their infectious indie/dance style was a great way to kick start proceedings and if there’s any justice, this is a band that has a very bright future. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for them and look forward to catching another set from them very soon.
You may be forgiven for wondering what on earth happened to the Friendly Fires as since the release of their first 2 albums in 2008 & 2011 all went very quiet. There was the release of the 3rd album ‘Inflorescent’ in 2019, but since then there was nothing. Well fear not readers, they are back, and pleasingly they have changed very little.
It’s still exhausting just watching front man Ed Macfarlane cavort around the stage in his frenetic, hip swivelling manner, but what a noise they still make.
From the opening track ‘Jump In The Pool’ it was a 100mph all the way and Ed led proceedings throughout, even diving into the crowd for a walkabout during ‘In The Hospital’.
This band may have been away for a while, but the audience clearly hadn’t forgotten them as they sang along with almost every tune throughout the evening.
I admit I was surprised that they played ‘Paris’ so early in the set given how well it did when it was first released in 2008. But no matter, it still sounded as good as ever and the and deftly delivered a tight set.
Musically they kept making me think of LDC Soundsystem throughout the evening with their preference to lock into an indie/dance groove and the addition of the brass section really ramped the music up to another level.
The thing that struck me was the audience and the age range in attendance. There were clearly people there who loved this band first time around 15 years ago, but it was also good to see lots of people who have clearly just discovered their material.
It was also good to see that the scourge of modern gigs, the smart phone, was conspicuous by its absence as the audience were too busy enjoying the gig, rather than watching it through a screen.
At the time of writing this review, I genuinely have no idea if they have any plans to tour again, or write new material for another album, but I really hope they do both. They’ve been away too long, and if they have the inclination to do both, that would certainly make a lot of people very happy.
Until then, check out their back catalogue, some real gems are there for your listening pleasure.
Set list:
Jump In The Pool
In The Hospital
Paris
White Diamonds
Strobe
On Board
Lovesick
Skeleton Boy
Photobooth
Ex Lover
Encore:
Love Like Waves
Heaven Let Me In
Hurting
Silhouettes
Hawaiian Air
Kiss Of Life
blonde redhead
Brudenell, Leeds - 9th Dec 23
Review & Photos Neil Milner
Blonde Redhead have been around for almost 30 years, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. Despite the shocking weather, the Brudenell was heaving, and the band were extraordinary.
They are composed of Kazu Makino (vocals, keys/rhythm guitar) and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace (drums/keyboards and lead uitar/bass/keyboards/vocals, respectively).
This was the first of three British dates supporting the launch of their excellent album ‘Sit Down for Dinner’, their tenth album and first in nine years, and my favourite record of the year. It was part of an extensive tour around Europe and the US.
The set included eight tracks from previous records ‘23’ and ‘Misery is a Butterfly’. Highlights from their album ‘23’ are the melancholic title track and the energetic ‘Spring and by Summer Fall’. Performances of both here were ardently captivating.
Defining them is not straightforward. I’ve seen they’ve been described as alternative rock, but watching them play, and hearing their records, it’s obviously more complex than that.
Throughout it was a multi-layered, mature dreampop shoegazing style that had a syrenesque quality, drawing you in and holding you there until they finished, and then you reluctantly exited back into the real world … and the rain.
I was mesmerised by the whole experience and felt the strong intensity of it. The band were mostly non-communicative, but it wasn’t borne out of arrogance, more likely their art consumes them.
Half the songs were from the new album, although it was five songs in before they played ‘Snowman’. ‘Melody Experiment’, ‘Rest of Her Life’ and ‘Not For Me’ were all beautifully performed. They closed with Kiss Her Kiss Her, which for me has an ‘ABBA at their peak’ quality to it.
It was all magnificent, but the highlight was playing both parts of ‘Sit Down to Dinner’. Blonde Redhead frontwoman Kazu Makino cited Joan Didion's classic memoir ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ as an influence on the album, describing how her life changed instantly when her husband died suddenly at the dinner table. Lyrical themes of aging, death, and mourning, permeate throughout the record, and it feels deeply personal in both these songs. Like the whole gig, it was moving, and uplifting.
Links
bury tomorrow
Leeds Stylus - 18th Jan 24
Review & Photos - Levi Tubman
It’s minus 5 this Thursday evening, the roads and cars are covered in ice and everyone’s waiting for the January pay check after over spending at Christmas and yet despite all that, just 25 minutes after the doors opened the Stylus is full to capacity, all 3 levels are crammed right to the entrance with fans eager for the band.
Opening tonight are We Came AsRomans and Kingdom of Giants, perfect choices as the crowd sings along to every song and calls for more at the end of their sets, the packed room seems to be getting 3 headliners for the price of one, but the moment the band come on stage the crowd manage to turn it up another notch or 10.
Opening with the title track “The Seventh Sun” the title track of their latest album it’s a wall of noise from the 6 band members, that 6th member makes a difference, unlike a lot of Metalcore bands, they have someone on clean vocals, along with some synth and percussion work, not having to rely on backing tracked vocals where studio albums have layered tracks it adds to the organic live sound and fills out the stage.
It's loud, there’s no getting away from that, everything is turned up with the bass and drop tuned guitars rattling everything around them but they don’t rely on just sheer volume to be heavy, they’re a band with intricate andtechnical parts, with low end chugging guitar riffs being mirrored higher and more melodic in quieter parts of the songs, with themes running through the music and not just sticking in a quiet section for the sake of it, all well written and performed you can see their talent and hard work paying off.
All throughout this the band are encouraging and egging the audience on, they don’t need it! After taking a foot to the back of the head from a crowd surfershooting in front of the stage, it’s a fight to get back out of the pit, with help from a couple of strangers helping to keep me stood as someone tries dragging me by the camera bag back to the front, there’s people climbing over railings to drop to lower levels, while it makes getting out of the pit hard for the photographers it adds to the atmosphere, in places its practically feral and the band are loving it.
They’re here to play and enjoy themselves and as security drags someone away from the stage they’re doing exactly that and feeding off the chaotic crowds energy.
Appreciating their fans, they interact throughout. It’s not a case of playing the songs and leaving, silence between tracks, there’stalk about life and music, where the band have come from and where they’rehoping to go and what a song might mean to the. Claiming that while formed in Southampton, lead vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates shoutsignore the accent I’m from Halifax! 5 of the 6 members are from Yorkshire!but by now it’s just the usual roar of YORKSHIRE YORKSHIRE!!!
The quieter sections of songs, lighter, very melodic and in places pushing pop like levels while adding a fantastic variety and finish to the sound, do nothing to calm the atmosphere and fans, they’re a band that don’t let up from start to finish putting everything they have into the night and you can see why they have such a strong if slightly mad, following.
They’re fantastic entertainment with lots to give, and a decent sized back catalogue to pull from and well worth the trip out to see them.
Links:
miles kane
O2 Leeds - 25th Jan 24
Review & photos - Mo Longfellow
Miles Kane starts his 2024 tour at the brilliant O2 Academy in Leeds.
With support from Royston Club, getting the already energetic crowd even more enthusiastic and raring to go for Miles.
There is an air of excitement as the crowd wait for him to come on, and stood in the pit, camera in hand ,I can really feel it too.
He starts with the title track of his new album ‘One Man Band’ which goes down a storm and an already up-for-it crowd are now definitely in full flow.
Miles has a real stage presence, whether he’s banging out a, well, banger or swapping his electric guitar for an acoustic as he did for ‘Killing The Joke’, the crowd, like me, were hooked.
He gives a great performance of ‘Rearrange’ from his debut studio album ‘Colour Of The Trap’, and you know it’s a winner as pretty much every one in the Academy belts out the line ‘Let it out, let it out, let it all out’ along with him.
He forgets his words during one of the numbers, and I don’t mention this as a negative or as a dig, in fact quite the opposite. He smiles, laughs with a joke and just gets on with it, no hiding it or pretending it didn’t happen, shit happens, right?! It shows us that although he is a really fantastic musician and showman, he’s human just like us and that for me makes me like him even more.
With guitar riffs and solos a-plenty, the gig had energy and lots of it. A firm favourite of mine was Telepathy which had a rip-snorting solo and bounded along in the same way the crown bounced along with it.
The band were really superb with great bass licks and drums that thundered along carrying each song to its conclusion in a more than satisfying way. His set had an anthemic vibe to it, rousing and uplifting us all on an otherwise dreary, rainy Leeds night.
It was a fantastic way to start the year and I left the O2 Academy smiling, certainly inwardly and maybe, somewhat unnervingly to passers by as I walked back to my car, outwardly too.
Links:
antarctic monkeys
O2 Leeds - 27th Jan 24
Review & photos - Lewis Wolstenholme
After the high-energy support from The Patriots and The Alleys, the Antarctic Monkeys took to the stage following shouts from the crowd of Arctic Monkeys fans. With a British band as iconic as the Arctic Monkeys, the Antarctics kept that distinctive sound they’re known for with the same charismatic frontman the fans are familiar with.
The evening, not only filled with Arctic Monkeys’ songs, had many famous and memorable tracks played by the two opening bands. Keeping the momentum and energy throughout the first hour of music played, well-known tracks from Franz Ferdinad’s ‘Take Me Out’ to Wheatus’ ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ filled the room. The evening was full of jumping fans and great energy.
The Antarctic Monkeys formed in 2006, just weeks after the Arctic’s debut album, so it’s understandable that they had each song they played down to a tee. Having played festivals and to crowds of up to 50,000 people, they easily filled up the stage and sound of the O2 Academy here in Leeds. Supported by brilliant lighting and sound engineers that kept everything running amazingly between and during each song.
Frontman of the band Dean (and Alex Turner lookalike) ran onto the stage with his iconic red guitar playing the opening riff to ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ followed by ‘Brianstorm’ with the crowd shouting every word to each song. It’s an understatement to say the lighting was intense at times which I found to be a distraction, but the overall stage setup and fog helped to create a unique and suited setup for the band on the night, with the fluorescent ‘Monkeys’ sign in the backdrop visible throughout the show.
They played the Arctics’ classics spanning from early songs to tracks from their most recent album covering everything an Arctic Monkeys fan would want to hear. Going into this show, I wasn’t prepared for how similar the performance would feel to the real deal and was definitely in for a great night.
Each song felt fresh and lively just like videos I've seen from the Arctic Monkeys on tour. If you’re an Arctic Monkeys fan, THIS is the band to see. Just know there’s going to be a big crowd, it was clear that night the Arctic Monkeys’ fanbase know about these guys!
Setlist:
Fluorescent Adolescent
Brianstorm
Teddy Picker
Crying Lightning
Fake Tales of San Francisco
Dancing Shoes
Still Take You Home
Leave Before the Lights Come On
Snap Out of It
Arabella
Do Me a Favour
Suck It and See
Do I Wanna Know?
When the Sun Goes Down
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
Cornerstone
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
Pretty Visitors
A Certain Romance
I Wanna Be Yours
Mardy Bum
505
Body Paint
R U Mine?
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
Links:
roisin murphy
O2 Leeds - 8th Feb 24
Review & photos - John McEvoy
It takes a lot more than snow, rain and generally crappy winter conditions to deter a Yorkshire crowd from a night out, and such was the case tonight at the O2 which saw Roisin Murphy call in on her current UK tour following the release of her last album, the rightly critically acclaimed ‘Hit Parade’.
Interestingly it wasn’t her solo material that opened proceedings, rather it was ‘Pure Pleasure Seeker’ a Moloko track from 2000 which at times sounded like the band were struggling to keep this track together, but despite the slow start, things picked up dramatically with ‘Dear Miami’ with its mellow funk feel, and Roisin Murphy of course made what must have been a world record in the no of outfit changes she did throughout the set.
It seemed clear that she’s having a blast playing in front of a live audience and it wasn’t until the set was 4 tracks in that we got the first from the new album in the guise of ‘Coocool’ which is one of my favourites.
New tracks ‘Universe’ and ‘You Knew’ quickly followed and even though this album has only been around for a few months, these tracks have already become crowd favourites.
Of course, Roisin firstly came to the public’s attention with the Moloko and the stupendously infectious dance track ‘Sing It Back’. Tonight, it was a full-on drum mix with a distinctive African feel, which I suspect left a few of the crowd slightly mystified but it still elicited a decent call and response from the crowd.
The thing I particularly admire about Roisin Murphy is that whilst she could quite easily have capitalised on the huge impact ‘Sing It Back’ had by churning out more of the same, she chose to go her own way and as a result is a truly unique artist whose releases are always worthy of investigation as you simply don’t know what she’s going to do next.
Tonight’s gig perfectly encapsulated what she’s all about, quirky, joyful, and above all a unique and genuinely talented artist.
If you want to forget about the winter weather for a few hours, do yourselves a favour and catch her (if you can) on the remaining dates of the current tour.
Set List:
Pure Pleasure Seeker
Dear Miami
Simulation
Overpowered
Coocool*
Universe*
You Knew*
Time Is Now
Incapable
Something More/Let Me Know
Sing It Back
Replicate
Ramalama
Forever More/Hit Parade
Links:
