paul weller
York Barbican, 17th April 24
Review & photos - John McEvoy
I must be honest and say that whenever I approach the York Barbican there’s always a certain amount of trepidation, as quite often gigs there are all seated, which I think has the effect of creating a somewhat muted atmosphere.
I needn’t have worried….
It was ‘standing’ tonight for Paul Weller and there was an expectant buzz around the place as soon as I got there.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the support band, Barbara. This Brighton based outfit have already been around for a few years, and certainly know how to write catchy and stylish tunes. Made up of brothers Henry and John Tydeman I have to say that this is a band that (if there’s any justice) have a bright future ahead of them.
==================
There aren’t many artists out there who could rightfully claim to be one of the most influential singer/songwriters of a generation. (in fact, on reflection, make that two generations).
As he prepares for the release of his new album ‘66’ is out next month, the mighty Paul Weller is back on the road once again playing lots of new tunes and of course tracks from an enviable back catalogue of material from his solo, Style Council and The Jam eras.
Age hasn’t seen his abilities diminish in the least, in fact it’s arguable that he continues to go from strength to strength, and based on the performance I witnessed tonight, it would be very hard to disagree with that that view.
His solo career alone now far exceeds his time with The Jam and the Style Council, and ‘66’ will be his 17thalbum, which again promises to deliver innovative and quality music as we’ve come to expect from Weller.
From opening track ‘Rip The Pages Up’ this was a two hour plus romp through a set list of 29 tunes that kept the crowd enthralled from the off. The band were as tight as ever and of course with Steve Craddock (one of the finest guitarists around) included, Paul Weller is one of those acts that you really need to see live just to appreciate how good they really are.
Whilst Paul Weller is renowned as someone who’s always looking forward and looking to create new material, it’s good to see that he’s not afraid to dip into The Jam and Style council back catalogue, and I was really pleased to see him do ‘A Man Of Great Promise’ which has always been one my persona Style Council favourites.
I have no intention of reviewing this gig song by song,
All I would say is that gigs like this need to be viewed in their entirety, there’s lots of new material, which is always good to hear, but a walk through a collection of tracks written over a 40 year period, given how good they are would be criminal not to be included.
Check out the full set list below, and you’ll see what I mean.
Long may ‘The Changingman’ keep on keeping on…
Set list:
Rip The Pages Up
Cosmic Fringes
Soul Wandering
All The Pictures On the Wall
A Man Of Great Promise
That Pleasure
Stanley Road
Glad Times
Above The Clouds
More
Village
Fat Pop
Hung Up
Shout To The Top
Jumble Queen
Nothing
You Do Something To Me
That’s Entertainment
Start!
Peacock Suit
Headstart To Happiness
Wild Wood
Broken Stones
Mayfly
Rockets
The Changingman
Porcelain Gods
Malice/Moods
Links:
the k's
O2, Leeds - 20th April 24
Review & photos - Levi Tubman
It’s a fairly young crowd at the O2 tonight, it’s good to see a band bringing out newer music fans to live gigs, the Academy is always busy but tonight its heaving and the crowd are excited and a little restless, singing along to the perfect playlist for the crowd, they’re raring to go before the first band even hits the stage. The K’s themselves are still in their 20’s and use their youthful energy to play live whenever they can, touring every year since 2017, let’s see what they bring to the second night of their 2024 jaunt.
Opening up tonight are The Sheratons, an indie rock band with just a touch of bite and a lot of cheek, but more importantly to them, they’re from Yorkshire, and from this point on it seems the only word the crowd know tonight! They’re definitely a band on the up and do a great job of getting everyone pumped. Following them are The Claus, who are the main support for the whole tour, a definitive slower energy favouring a retro melodic groove with some really catchy tracks, great to see both support bands stepping up to the task and worthy of seeing on their own.
It’s a wall of cheers and screams as the string intro to Icarus starts up and the band run onto the stage grinning ear to ear, the drums picking up first followed by the guitars as Singer James gets his stance for the evening, one foot on the monitor, a great opening number, the grin never leaving as the band look to be having the time of their lives.
At the back the drums are frantic and pounding, being hit for all their worth as loud and wild as the crowd in front, and in the middle is a gorgeous pure voice, sounding older than it should but it’s the core of the sound while either side upbeat guitar riffs, running keys and rumbling basslines round off a very catchy sound. Not to be boxed in as a one trick pony the band are not shy to slow it all down and strip it back, treating the almost silent crowd to just acoustic guitar, piano and vocals, showing a more fragile side, where the vocals really shine through.
Most bands like to keep the flow going once they start, but a slight oddity of tonight was during songs where the bands swapped out instruments, instead of talking to the audience they went quiet and all the stage lights went off for 15/20 seconds, causing a little confusion and silence at first, maybe how they swap out is a guarded secret?
While I expect them to constantly change and grow as a band I feel they’ve truly found their footing and form, making the set look effortless with constant smiles all around like they don’t quite believe the thousands in the audience singing along with them, but they are, they’ve a strong following with a strong set, as is the case with their albums nothing tonight feels put in to fill a gap and the only way for them is up.
Setlist.
1.Icarus
2.Chancer
3.Heart on My Sleeve
4. Picture
5. CirclesGlass Towns
6.Hoping Maybe
7.Black and Blue
8. Throw It All Away
9. Lights Go Down
10. No Place Like Home
11. Aurora
12. Encore:
13. Valley One
14. Hometown
15. Sarajevo
Links:
lynks
Leeds Wardrobe - 20th April 24
Review & photos - Anya Weston-Shaw
There is rarely an occasion where an artist comes along and utterly mesmerises me whilst also keeping me on my toes the whole performance. That’s LYNKS.
LYNKS, who has just released their debut album ‘Abomination’ took the Wardrobe by storm and made the audience, gasp, laugh, sing along, and most importantly feel so comfortable in the space.
Songs such as ‘CPR’ and ‘Everyone’s Hot (And I’m Not)’, gave the audience the opportunity to gaze upon LYNKS and wonder who is behind the mask. It was astonishing to take in the dance routines with backing dancers (LYNKS Shower Gel), as they are known, not missing a single beat.
Costume changes, covers of songs, (the best being Charli XCX’s Speed Drive), which was in honour of Barbie’s recent fame, has given LYNKS legendary status in my mind.
This artist is someone I have personally followed from Hyde Park Book Club to now playing The Wardrobe and the whole aura of the production has levelled up. The most iconic stage decorations are the small things and the giant inflatable red hands at each side of the stage added intrigue but also seemed commonplace in the world of LYNKS and their world. I would also say, elements of performance art are added with one song being lit entirely by torches. This was both chaotic and compelling.
Overall, it is nearly impossible to explain a LYNKS gig to those who haven’t attended one. If you are a fan of dance routines, witty lyrics, amazing interludes, and costumes that can only be imagined in your wildest dreams, then look no further. If you then mix all this with ‘queer dystopia and electro-punk excess’. LYNKS is your person.
‘Abomination’ is LYNKS’ debut album and is available now on all streaming platforms. Make sure to go and check out early releases too!
Links:
the warning
O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London - 27th April 24
Reviewed by Andi Bridges
On entering the arena, two things are clear:
1) This is a sold-out gig. I’ve never seen so many people in the Forum.
2) The crowd are really up for it, to the point they cheer the unveiling of the backdrop, 10 minutes before the band take the stage.
The stage has a spartan look about it, just a drum kit on a small riser, a bass cab on one side and a guitar cab on the other side. Two mic stands at the front of the stage. After a short intro tape, Intro404, from the last album, the band are on and straight into Sick, from the forthcoming album – Keep Me Fed. Paulina whacking the snare drum, Bass Player Alejandra stalking the stage al la Robert Trujillo and Blond-haired Daniela riffing like her life depended on it. The sound is crystal clear and what a voice Daniela has, sandpaper gravelly, ideally suited to the Hard Rock on offer.
The first four numbers are split between the last album, Error and tracks from the new one due at the end of June. Daniela is really working the crowd and we are clapping along, hands in the air by song number two, Z and are singing the refrain, Let Me Go, on song three. Song number five starts and both the bassist and guitar are at the back of the stage, when the vocals kick in. Are they using backing tapes I think to myself, until I realise that the drummer has a headphone mic. This revelation reveals that not only can the sisters produce light and shade with their instruments during songs, but they can also make use of the differing voices they have. They use this to maximum effect throughout the set.
The band are extremely tight as you would expect from three sisters who have been playing together for a long while and were covering Metallica 10 years ago when they were aged between 9 and 14 {checkout their version of Enter Sandman on YouTube}.
There is a charming moment just before Survive starts. All the band are on the drum riser when the guitarist remembers she needs to adjust her pedalboard for the song, so she dashes across the stage and then scuttles back to the riser, before the drummer starts the song. We get treated to new single Automatic Sun, with its catchy pop rock chorus. We get 4 more songs, 3 from Error and one more new one, Hell You Call A Dream. 14 songs in an hour and they’re gone. They come back for after 3 minutes and play Narcisista and Evolve and that’s the end of the British tour, 19 dates in 24 days, all sold out.
The rock world hasn’t been kind to three-piece female rock bands, The Amorettes, Tequila Mockingbird have all fallen by the wayside. However, I think these 3 sisters from Monterrey, Mexico have what it takes. This time last year they played the O2 Islington Academy. In less than a year they have doubled the size of venue they are headlining.
Muchos Gracias for a superb evening’s entertainment.
Links:
kula shaker
O2 Academy, Leeds - 1st May 24
Reviewed & photos Levi Tubman
Now there’s a few hints as to who’s playing the O2 tonight, there’s more than the usual number of people walking around with flares, with shirts of paisley, tie dye, paisley, and did I mention paisley? And inside it smells like someone’s burning half the incense of Leeds, but before the Psychedelic rock can start, tonight’s opener is the DholFoundation.
The Dhol foundation are both a musical group and a Dhol drum institute, with the 3 members taking to the stage Dholdrums in question round their necks and after a quick intro from Leeds local Johnny Kalsi it’s on. Playing along to a pre prepared DJ set it’s a wall of rhythmic sound, the 3 drummers making the room shake as they dance and grin through the set, including their house set made of some huge club and chart hits, with banter and chatting between songs, they’re all born performers and entertainers, bringing the party, its like a carnival in here, you don’t often see a support act getting so much love and they really could support any band, the one downfall? Damn hard act to follow.
With a short break in the middle and a change of keyboard player, Kula Shaker have been going as a band for almost 30 years, and it’sgreat to see them back with the original line-up, playing a venue I’veseen them in a few times and with new material. Taking the stage with a fresh smell of incense and arms aloft they launch into the first track of the new album, Gaslighting, preaching to his congregation with “The revolution will not be live-streamed across all social platforms” this is the Kula Shaker of old but with a modern twist on the Gil Scott-Heron classic line as the words are carried on waves of Jay’s organ.
Following quickly up with the massive hey dude the band look and sound on great form tonight, with Jay Darlington looking like the original hippy, serene and chilled out while making the organ scream out wailing solos, with Alonzo standing stoically, nodding along under a wide brimmed black hat bass rumbling away with the thundering drums as Paul Winterheart, head down, beats them for all they’re worth. This is a band to whom peace and love would fit nicely amongst their themes of mysticism and traditional Indian music and yet they are loud and certainly on the wilder side tonight.
Taking centre stage, front man Crispian is pinwheeling across the stage, he can’tand won’tstay still, without dropping a note, the moment he stops singing he’s away, dropping to his knees, bouncing backwards hands and guitar over his head, just lost in the music, were just an afterthought down the front in his own musical world there are times he gets to the mic almost too late or spinning by so fast the mic doesn’t quite catch the first word and it all adds to the show, the life and energy feeds back to the crowd who love every moment. Crispian doesn’t get enough credit for his guitar playing, the band are tight and so well-rehearsed, he gives us thick chunky rhythm and screaming lead, it’sthat Kula Shaker sound but live it’sgot a wild raw edge.
They show off their slower quieter side with tracks such as the all too short I’m Still Here and Bringing It Back Home, a more poppy edge to the bands sound but still equally outstanding, before picking the pace back up again and when they hit F-Bombs the crowd participation starts to overpower the band, you want a few thousand people to shout obscenities back to you about war? Sadly it’s all to relevant now as it’sever been and the crowd are more than happy to oblige, as the band again show off their writing talent for putting into words what a lot of people think of the current issues around the world, they will always be a band to voice their opinions while trying to bring people together.
From the latest album all the way back to K we get 303 with some killer key’s as Jay dominates the stage and as the applause starts to fade away you quietly hear the words Acintya Bheda Bheda Tattva and the opening notes picked on the guitar, they’ve had control of the crowd since the start but now it peaks, every voice in the room calls out in unison, people move away to get space to dance where they can, and as a band who can write music and lyrics that wouldn’t sound out of place in some temples, this is a song that cries out to have a crowd singing along with every word, singing and chanting along it’s the energy of last song of the night, Crispian even starts to climb the stage at the end holding his guitar against the PA speakers to get as much feedback as he can cheered on by the audience.
Some songs should never be covered, some might better the original and then there’ssongs like Hush. It’shard to remember who did it originally especially with various artists having a go over the decades, but as that unforgettable guitar intro kicks in we get the definitive version, for a band with such talent for writing catchy music its strange for probably their biggest hit to be a cover but its done so well with such passion and life it becomes the one to listen to as the other version drift into memory, the crowd need the encore break as much as the band.
With such an Asian influence to their music it makes perfect sense to bring on part of their support to lend some Dhol drumming to the last 3 songs of the night with Great Hosannah followed by what I expected to be the closer, Govindaanother perfect chance for the crowd to join in and fill the room with hundreds of voices in an almost spiritual way and just when it seems to be over were treated to a cover of Deee-Lite’s Groove Is in the Heart, and a treat it is, with added slide whistle, that’s right, the whistle from the Clangers, making a few appearances it’s a funkyand powerful cover, they seem to have a knack for improving already great songs!
I’veseen the band maybe 5 or 6 times over the years? 3 times at this very venue and this has to be the best time so far, they just age so well, the music seems tighter, faster louder and fuller, songs always played superbly get taken up a notch somehow, and the whole time the band look to be loving every moment, with a unique support act, dressed sharp with even sharper playing they still seem humble and once the madness dies down with the music its more quiet and refrained between the songs and at the end it feels like a truly genuine thank you to the audience and crew as he goes through them all one by one, its like a family that they extend to you, who else has an engineer referred to simply as “Viking” whoalongside other jobs provides tambourine to half the songs, even if someone else is playing one just isn’t enough?
There are few bands that give you the Kula Shaker live experience, there are few that make you feel as warm and welcome to be there, sure there might be bands who play faster, or louder, or maybe bring along a string quartet on tour, but there’s no touring band like them, they’re one of the best out there and it’s a true pleasure to watch them.
Setlist:
1. Gaslighting
2. Hey Dude
3. Waves
4. Natural Magick
5. Indian Record Player
6. Start All Over
7. Infinite Sun
8. I'mStill Here
9. Grateful When You're Dead / Jerry Was There
10. Bringing It Back Home
11. Shower Your Love
12. Happy Birthday
13. Idon'twannapaymytaxes
14. F-Bombs
15. 303
16. Tattva
17. Hush (Joe South cover)
Encore:
18. Great Hosannah
19. Govinda
20. Groove Is in the Heart (Deee‐Lite cover)
Links:
tenacious d
Leeds Arena - 11th May 24
Review & photos - Phil Wright
I was full of excitement on Saturday the 11th for my first Arena shoot! As I approached the first direct Arena, I was greeted with a sea of bearded men clad in tie-dye shirts and shorts. This could only mean one thing… yes… Tenacious D were in town!
My heart raced as I approached the stage. The 18,000 strong crowd all added to the excitement. The lights went down and it was time for comedian Dave Hill. All my fears immediately turned to laughter as this nutty bloke on a pushbike came racing onto stage and crashed, just missing the amps. He had me in stitches from start to finish of his act. The definite love child of Bill Bailey and Lee Evans was a breath of fresh air. Look him up YouTube and you’ll see what I mean.
Now it was time for the main event. As the royal trumpeters played, we saw Kyle Gass enter the stage first, followed by the larger-than-life figure of Jack Black. Jack sent the crowd into a frenzy and, of course, the usual cry of ‘YORKHIRE YORKSHIRE’.
As soon as Tenacious D started playing the opening number ‘KICKAPOO’, every single person in that arena knew the words and sang along. This sing-along never relented all way through the show, just proving the status of Tenacious D as a true Rock band.
The stage was set with Kyle to the left and Jack to the right with two big red devil hands as mic stands. After just two songs, Jack was struggling to see though his long sweaty hair and asked if anyone had a scrunchy he could use. Ten landed on the stage, he made his selection and he got his long-suffering roadie to come and tie his hair up, (all part of the show).
Later in the show we were treated to Jack’s, now famous, toy ‘SAX-A-BOOM’. In true comedy style he was upstaged as Kyle brought on a ‘MEGA-BOOM’ a give us all a rendition of ‘Baker Street’.
It was at this point in the show that the band dedicated the next song to the bands hard working roadies, saying they were the best in the business.
To sum up this night, I would say a cross between a Rock opera and a Pantomime with the two best leading entertainers out there.
Set List:
· Kickapoo
· Low Hangin' Fruit
· Rize of the Fenix
· Wonderboy
· Tribute
· Video Games
· The Metal
· Sax-a-Boom
· Baker Street
· Roadie
· Dude (I Totally Miss You)
· Friendship
· Wicked Game
· Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)
· Double Team
Encore
· Pinball Wizard / There's a Doctor / Go to the Mirror!
· Master Exploder
· The Spicy Meatball Song
· F**k Her Gently
Links:
paloma faith
York Barbican - 12th May 24
Review & photos- Phil Wright
Sunday 12th May brought the pocket-size powerhouse, that is Paloma Faith, to the iconic York Barbican theatre.
The sell-out crowd was in for an amazing masterclass in entertaining and owning the stage.
This was a show of two halves with no supporting act for Paloma. She emerged onto the stage performing her new album ‘The Glorification of Sadness’, which was released back in February.
Giving and absolutely stellar performance with some real heartfelt passion in her vocals, she belted out tracks like ‘Sweatpants’ and ‘Pressure’. Paloma’s connection with the audience was on point.
After a short break to and for Paloma to grab a brew, (hopefully sampling some Yorkshire Tea), she then gave us to hit after hit. Her sixteen-year reign has certainly gifted us with some phenomenal tracks.
If you are looking to have a really fun evening of entertainment, why not spend it with the wonderfully zany Paloma Faith? Look online for remaining tour dates and grab yourself a ticket!
Links:
honesty
The Knave Studios, Leeds - 30th May 24
Review & photos - Levi Tubman
There are a few hints that tonight isn’t the normal out covering live music, the first is that it’s not in a live music venue, tonight’s performance is in a former chapel renovated into a music studio by part of the band. Once inside were sent downstairs to wait to be given headphones, tonight’s band Honesty are going down the silent disco route, and it’s an intimate one, I’m one of around 30 people, so intimate that I’m greeted by band member Matt as I’m the only person he doesn’t know there, and instead of a support band there’s a range of drinks, snacks and pool table in the green room!
After being led into the gig proper, the live room of studio 1, the band look to be getting ready behind a fine mesh sheet, but the moment I slip the headphones on my ears are filled with music, guitars, keys, synths drums and samples all being played but without headphones all you can hear are faint cymbals played with soft mallets, an instrumental atmospheric soundscape piece played while the audience comes in, its creative but not over intrusive introduction to the night.
Tonight was described as an immersive performance, and along with the closeness to the band, music direct and personal in our ears there’s a screen behind Honesty along with projections on the fine mesh screen in front, its fine enough to see the band, if a little hazy, but with enough substance to show the images clearly. We get a mixture of song titles, clips of the band members, images shapes and words, often meeting the energy and tempos of the songs, at one point the same video is show on both screens while the front image slowly expands along the calm circling music you can’t help but feel everything is moving towards you as you’re moving towards the band just pulling you further in, Honesty really get into your head.
It’s a strange feeling to be physically close on the same level right next to the band while feeling so separated from them by the screen, while you’re out in public at a live music event, but you’re isolated by the headphones, Honesty have managed to create a unique experience, where you can close your eyes and you could be just sat at home listening to an album, and I found myself cheating a couple of times by rolling the volume down so you can just hear cymbals and vocals then slowly bringing it back up to fill out the space, I found myself wanting to ask people around me how loud or quiet they had theirs set.
One big advantage of using headphones is a much cleaner tight mix, there’s no worries about how it sounds in different parts of the room, and I loved hearing everything, little arpeggio here, a voice sample there, they’re a very creative band who manage to provider a wall of sound but its subtle made up of many small parts, there’s no blunt sledge hammer here, its finely crafted with everything in its place, and it means you can hear the vocalists clearly, starting with the beautiful voice of band member Imi Holmes, who effortlessly goes from quiet ethereal to cutting through front and centre, moving through a couple of numbers with a new romantic vocal feel and even a couple of guest rappers.
Honesty have their own sound, but still manage to bring something different to each track, mixing ups styles to suit the vocalists, with tempo complexity and volume constantly changing through the night, until the last number where everyone starts to drop out but by bit until its almost purely drums getting louder and louder until you can hear it louder than the headphones bringing and ending that’s as loud and frantic as the intro of the night was quiet and calm.
Tonight wasn’t a normal average gig to review but then again Honesty are not your average group, but the music is fantastic, creative and well thought out, performed perfectly and I couldn’t keep still from the start. If you get the chance, I really recommend you go see them, while it won’t be as immersive as tonight, it’s still going to be worth it, this will no doubt be my most unusual gig of the year and one of the best.
Links:
james
Leeds Arena - 8th June 24
Review & photos - Levi Tubman
It’s a beautiful late spring evening this Saturday and the whole of Leeds feels alive, and everyone seems to be walking the same direction up to the arena singing and dancing as they go. This is my first gig at the arena tonight, its smooth and well organised automatically setting you up for a good night before the music starts.
Up first are Razorlight, the support for the tour, who have never really been on my radar much, but I am impressed. There’sno messing about, they get on the stage and get straight to it. They are knockingout hit after hit, full of life and energy effortlessly getting the crowd in the mood and ready to go. The only downside is the wait between the 2 bands now feels longer.
Surprisingly looking into the setlists of the tour it is not the same each night. There will always be a core group of songs, but the rest differ. Itis always going to be hard with a band like James, with a big back catalogue to please everyone and this is a good way to do it. It isgoing to help the band from feeling bored with the same tracks night after night, but also if you see something you don’t like the night before it's fine because you might not hear it the next night. Then on the flip side,what if they don’t play ‘THAT’song you’ve been waiting for if and it’sbeen played the night before! It’s a welcomed change to the norm of the constant set.
As the lights dim, we get a short polite message from Tim Booth asking to please not watch the gig through their phones, and surprisingly it works. Sure, everyone wants to save memories,but the modern concert has become a sea of hand held screens. James, while embracing the future were here before the mobile and are happy to show it who’s in charge tonight.
They start the night off with Johnny Yen from their debut EP, right back to their roots. Tim’s voice is front and centre, with the music then pulling back in the latterhalf of the song. It is almost just vocals for a few lines,before Saul Daviesand Andy Diagramcome screaming in on Violin and Trumpet. Then it’s almost a sonic three piece, with the rest of the band there for backing before settling back down for the outro. This is one of the best songs of the night kicking it off.
Moving up to the 90’s with the song WaltzingAlong. The partyatmosphere really starts to get going before the first number from their fantastic latest album, where the backing singers seem to have doubled to 4 to fill out the song’sbig vocals. Stepping up to 4 backing vocals isn’ta huge leap, but they also have on stage 2 full drum kits! As the bands longest running member Bassist Jim Glennie is climbing further up the fretboard strumming his bass now as a guitar, vocalist Chloë Alperhas picked up another bass to fill in the instrument’straditional role. With all this going on its easy to miss that lead guitarist Adrian has swapped to an electric Cello, and when Percussionist Debbie isn’t behind the second drum kit or providing backing vocals, she’s literally bouncing around the stage with a tambourine as the bands own Bez.
At the peak there are 9 vocalists on stage, with beautiful harmonies provided by members of the Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir. Thechoir move all over the stage,while down the front is Tim looking like he is having a good time. With all the movement behind him, he’soften stood still while singing andeyes closed in his own serene world. Then without warning he loses all control of his arms and legs, moving like its 2amin the dance tent. The true epitome of dance like no one’swatching and all the energy he puts into his vocals mustgo somewhere during instrument solosafter all. The only people staying in place are drummer Dace Baynton-Power and Keyboard player Mark Hunter.
Despite commenting on his own age, Tim climbs the barrier on more than one occasion and sings till he drops onto the crowd. He crowd surfsthroughout without dropping a word, you don’tget singers crowd surfing enough these days. Show his experience and love for performing, although he warns the left side that if they don’t watch it with their phones he won’t come surfing over there again.
We get a few more off the new album, the lyrically brilliant Butterfly and Shadow Of A Giant sandwiching the classic Getting Away With It (All Messed Up). This trioof songs is very vocal heavy, lets the 4 members of the choir shineand theadded backing vocals are in places straight up choral harmonies. Mixed with 5 band members singing they start to turn the arena into a cathedral with the chorus of GIANTS GIANTS GIANTS.
A comment is made that maybe some people haven’t done their homework and listened to the new album. A point proven when Tim very cheekily tells the crowd they’reallowed to all film the next song,its perfect for it before announcing Mobile God. Afair chunk of the cameras then quicklylower, but those who don’tknow the new album yet happily film. As they sing about the world's addiction to their phones and the Mobile Gods, I wonder if it made him chuckle or feel justified in writing the song, I’m hoping both.
For me there was one song I wanted to hear tonight, which kept me coming back to the previous set lists checking how often it gets played. Then there it is, the first chord and we get Tomorrow. The story of trying to stop a close friend jumping brings a deep undertone of sadness,but it’s a song of hope and that powers through. It was made for a stadium, filling every corner with every word sung back to the band. Performed perfectly and the highlight of my night, and I don’t mind saying I got a tear in my eye.
Rounding off the main set is Sometimes (Lester Piggott), a wonderful epic with the perfect long outro for the crowd to join in with. Parts of the band slowly quieten and take a back seat until it’s just the thousands of fans singing “Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes,I swear I can see your soul” a real goosebump ending, even if they have to keep coming back in as the audience can’t seem to quite keep time.
Taking the stage again after a short break they fire through Way Over Your Head and Beautiful Beaches before thanking the audience again for coming. All around peoplesaying, but they have to play it? Surely, they’re going to play it? Before we get the big one, Sit Down, which causes everyone to suddenly stand.
It’s a monster of a performance until the end when again it gets quieter and quieter with half the band sat on the front legs hanging off, sitting down next to each other, and the crowd quietly singing “Sit Down Next To Me”. Suddenly Booth jumps up and stops the show, someone’s down, calls for calm and to make space for help to come through.
Handling it easily and professionally, once they’re up and walking with help, he breaks the tension by joking don’t worry we’ll get overtime so we can fit in another and brings the song quietly back in growing back the band again before finishing the night off perfectly with Laid and they’re done.
Forming over 4 decades ago with 18 studio albums and who knows how many performances under their belts, they mustbe a band with some big egos. However,when the 4 backing singers are taking point theband members not playing all turn to watch them andsome guitar solos they’re could be half a dozen people around watching in admiration.
When we get a dual drum and percussion solo the other 9 members kneel facing them clapping with the audience, from start to finish everything on stage feels like a family. Everyone is as comfortable as taking the limelightas letting it shine on others. They have a level of musicianship that most bands dream of, I don’t think there’sone person who is only able to play just one instrument to the level they need, and nearlyeveryone sings.
There’s always an instrument filling any gap, bringing extended and exaggerated versions of classics down to faithful album recreations, just a joy from start to finish.
I’ve seen them play 3/4000 capacity venues, I’ve seen them in muddy fields and modern arenas, and they’re at home in all settings the band and music grows and shrinks to the surroundings, but I don’t think they’re a band you can contain. If I could only see one band this year this is the one. If you can go see them and check out the new album as reviewed recently it stands up against the rest of the catalogue.
Setlist
1. Johnny Yen
2. Waltzing Along
3. Our World
4. Rogue
5. Life's a Fucking Miracle
6. Just Like Fred Astaire
7. Ring the Bells
8. Better With You
9. Butterfly (Live debut)
10. Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)
11. Shadow of a Giant
12. Out to Get You (Tour debut)
13. Mobile God
14. Tomorrow
15. Come Home
16. Sometimes (Lester Piggott)
Encore
17. Way Over Your Head
18. Beautiful Beaches
19. Sit Down (Paused before the last chorus due to medical incident in the crowd)
20. Laid
Links:
let's rock @ temple newsam - 22nd june 24
Level 42, Peter Hook, Go West & more
Review by Sally Downes
Photos by Mikee Downes
Summer has finally arrived at Temple Newsman, 80’s music fans arrived early, queuing all the way down the road. But where they’re going, they don’t need roads, just some great music…
Definitely better organised than last year, with just over 11,000 people and very few complaints. Andy Crane was let out of the broom cupboard to act as presenter for the day, starting with Northants Sings Out. Fresh from their appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, they kicked off the festival in style, full of energy and bounce.
There were some iconic outfits, from Marty McFly to Zippy & George. 80’s icon Toyah joined in, appearing on stage dressed as a disco peacock. It took less than 30 seconds for her to get the crowd going with her punk rock vibe. Despite admitting she was suffering from raging hay-fever, Toyah put on a great show and belted out some classics, including a Billy Idol cover. In the midday sun, they cried more, more, more! Celebrating her birthday in May, the recently turned 66 year old declared she’d never been busier in her life. Happy Birthday Toyah!
China Crisis up next. “Liverpool’s Finest”, according to lead vocalist Gary Daly. Such a bold claim may just be wishful thinking, but they did prove to be popular, taking time to say hello to their grandkids and apologising for the occasional F bomb.
Flying the flag for Scotland, Altered Images continued the run of high energy music. Lead singer & actress Claire Grogan said it’s been 44 years since she first played in Leeds, but it certainly didn’t feel like it. Showing heartfelt emotion, Claire was clearly humbled by her fans and appreciative of the support. There was a similar feeling during Kim Appleby’s set, who encouraged fans to celebrate her sister’s legacy. Her performance was fun, lively, and more than respectable.
It's probably fair to say there was a large proportion of ladies eagerly awaiting the arrival of a certain Australian gentleman. Jason Donovan put on one of the best performances of the day and knew exactly what his audience wanted from him who happily joined in with every song. He stated he’d taken his kids to see Taylor Swift on Friday night to earn back some dad points. They may not think he’s cool, but his fans certainly do. However, wearing black leather pants in the hot afternoon sun is most definitely not.
Another fantastic set was by Go West; very much in their comfort zone. The crowd acted as an orchestral choir, needing hardly any encouragement to sing along. The day continued with From The Jam, who did well despite some initial sound issues. Bassist Bruce Foxton was unfortunately ill and unable to attend, so Gary Simon was drafted in as his replacement. But hey, that’s entertainment…
A surprising highlight of the day has got to be the DJ battle between Fun House host Pat Sharp (minus the mullet) and Andy Crane. This was brilliant, so many 80’s classics crammed into a short space of time with maximum effect.
Peter Hook & The Light dedicated a song to their friend and keyboard player Paul Spencer from Dario G who lost his battle with cancer this week. Their slot was familiar and reliably entertaining.
The day drew to an end with Level 42 and Ali Campbell’s UB40. It was a great success and left people looking forward to next year’s line-up. There was a running theme throughout the day of nostalgic enthusiasm. And it’s thanks to the likes of Stranger Things and Ready Player One that 80’s music will remain popular with the next generation.
grace jones @ piece hall Halifax - 22nd june 24
Explore the World of Music
Review and photos - Liam McEvoy
It was a glorious evening in Halifax that saw the legendary pop and dance club icon Grace Jones take to The Piece hall stage in the latest of a series of gigs hosted by this fantastic venue.
A black curtain blocked the stage from the crowds view and as the music began to swell the crowds anticipation grew until the curtain dropped and there was the enigmatic Grace Jones, who launched straight into the classic track Nightclubbing which had the crowd dancing from the off.
This was followed up by a new track that Jones said would be releasing later this year and that it was being heard in the UK for the first time at Halifax. This was The Key and if the performance in Halifax was anything to go by this is sure to be a massive hit when it releases.
Jones continued her set with fantastic energy and with more hat changes than a Westend musical playing some of her biggest hits like Demolition Man, My Jamaican Guy and This Is all of which had the crowd bouncing.
Jones then slowed things down a touch with an stunning rendition of Amazing grace before closing the show with incredible energy with a trio of hits, Slave to The Rhythm, her brilliant cover of Edith Piaf’s La vie en rose and closing with I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango). This had the crowd dancing until the end.
The word legend is thrown around often these days but Grace Jones truly deserves the title and she showed exactly why she deserves it with her performance at Halifax. This was a show that anyone in attendance will not forget in a hurry.
Set List:
1. Nightclubbing
2. The Key
3. Private Life
4. Demolition Man
5. My Jamaican Guy
6. This Is
7. Williams’ Blood
8. Amazing Grace
9. Love Is the Drug
10. Pull Up to the Bumper
11. Slave to the Rhythm
12. La vie en rose
13. I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)
bryan adams
Piece Hall, Halifax - 23rd June 24
Review by James Fortune-Clubb
And so to gloriously sunny Halifax home of Anne Lister, the Halifax Gibbet, Wainhouse Tower, Eureka! Children’s Museum, but most importantly and impressively – the amazing 18th century Grade I listed cloth hall that we know and love as The Piece Hall.
Tonight we’re here for the latest in what’s proving to be The Piece Hall’s best ever series of summer concerts. With the likes of Blondie, Grace Jones and Chic already under their belt and Air, P J Harvey, Michael Kiwanuka and many more to follow – it’s proving to be quite a year.
So then to Canada’s finest (Godspeed You! Black Emperor notwithstanding obviously) – the pop/rock legend now in his fifth decade of making music, he’s the Groover from Vancouver, ladies and gentlemen please ‘give it up’ for Mr Bryan Adams!
For support and first up are Vivas from down the road in Sheffield. There’s hints of the Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, occasionally even Liam Gallagher and whilst Vivas are upbeat and enthusiastic, it all unfortunately feels overwhelmingly generic and underwhelming. Nevertheless the capacity crowd are receptive and seem to appreciate the start of this evening’s proceedings.
Next up Cassyette from Chelmsford – described by Kerrang no less, as “a modern alternative icon”, who serves us up an engaging and proficient set of goth pop/goth metal hybrid songs. To be fair – the crowd demographic means that Cassyette is not really playing to her target audience or fanbase, but she goes down well and gets a good reception.
Props (as the younger people might say) must go to the woman doing the signing for Cassyette – an amazing level of enthusiasm and a great performance in its’ own right.
Excitement and expectation are palpable amongst the crowd – many of whom have clearly seen Adams before and have been fans for years. As the screen shows us a lengthy, slowly evolving and entertainingly oblique video – which culminates with Bryan Adams bounding on stage, as if out of the video.
And that’s it – he’s straight in there, opening with ‘Kick Ass’ – the sound is great, the sun is still shining, there’s a lot of love and energy in the audience and Bryan Adams absolutely delivers. I came tonight almost as a curious bystander thinking I probably knew maybe 3-4 Adams songs at most – but through the course of the evening and 21 songs later, I realised not only how many songs I did know (practically all of them) but also what a great performer and songwriter Bryan Adams is – I totally get it.
Adams band (AKA The Dudes of Leisure) are suitably tight and excel in all areas. Unlike many other solo artists, Bryan Adams touring band have for the most part played, toured, recorded with him in some cases for decades and I think that shows in the performance tonight. It feels very much like a band performance as opposed to a multimillion selling megastar with touring session musicians. Keith Scott who has been with Adams since 1976 playing guitar in particular excels and Bryan Adams is very generous himself as a front man.
Adams has much to say during the few breaks in proceedings and he engages really well with the crowd, coming across as truly humble, likeable and affable. There’s even a brief spontaneous chant from the crowd of “Bryan’s Mum” (who features in the pre-set video) which Adams seems genuinely heartened by – recording it on his phone.
As a set it was pretty much flawless in terms of pace and as for the songs – so many great ones. Even the (16 weeks at number one and everyone’s sick to death of it) ‘Everything I Do’ sounds great.
As for other antics – there are two huge ‘So Happy It Hurts’ (current album) balls/balloons bobbing around the audience which added to proceedings, along with a faux dance competition – giving audience members the opportunity to display their dancing skills (or lack of) on camera. There was definitely a very high ranking feelgood factor to the Piece Hall gig tonight, in the best possible way.
There’s an unexpected Tina Turner tribute mid set – Adams recorded ‘It’s Only Love’ with Turner and went on to become firm friends with thereafter, it’s touching and well delivered.
Highlights, of which there were many – over and above the obvious ones such as ‘Summer of 69’ included ’18 til I die’, ‘Run to You’, ‘Kids Wanna Rock’ and to close his set, Adams finishes solo acoustic with ‘Cloud Number Nine’ and ‘Straight from the Heart’. Testament to Adams at being able to make a venue the size of The Piece Hall feel as intimate as this during the acoustic set.
As an aside, the sound and the big screen visuals were great and as a mid-size outdoor live music venue, it’s hard to see how The Piece Hall could be surpassed.
Bryan Adams in Halifax tonight – an absolutely outstanding gig. I am most definitely and unreservedly a convert (but don’t tell anyone – because it’s just not cool).
18 til I Die indeed!
Bryan Adams set list:
Kick Ass
Can’t Stop This Thing We Started
Somebody
18 til I Die
House Arrest
Take Me Back
Kids Wanna Rock
Heaven
Go Down Rockin’
It’s only Love (The Best / What’s Love got to Do with It – excerpts from)
You Belong to Me
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me is You
(Everything I Do) I Do it for You
Back to You
So Happy It Hurts
Run to You
Summer of ‘69
Cuts Like a Knife
When You’re Gone
Cloud Number Nine
Straight From the Heart
chic
Piece Hall, Halifax - 16th June 24
Review & photos by Liam McEvoy
Festival season is now well underway and the series of incredible gigs at The Piece Hall in Halifax continued as they welcomed Nile Rodgers and Chic to town who brought the funk and soul to this brilliant venue.
Before Nile Rodgers and Chic took to the stage however it was the turn of the UK pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor to warm up the crowd and what a fantastic job she did. Playing all of her biggest including Groovejet, Get Over You and of course the track that has had a resurgence of late thanks to the movie Saltburn Murder on the Dance Floor. It was a brilliant set that warmed the crowd up nicely for the headline Act.
It was then time for the headline act. Nile Rodgers and Chic took to the stage. And opened with the classic Le Freak which had the crowd dancing from the off. The band continued with Chic tracks including Everybody Dance and I want Your Love which really go the party started.
A legend in his own right however Nile Rodgers has worked with and written songs for some of music’s royalty throughout his career and he took Halifax on a tour of these incredible tracks. He started with Diana Ross and I'm coming out before moving on to Madonna with Like a Virgin and Material Girl.
In more recent times Nile Rodgers worked with Beyonce on her brilliant 2022 album Renaissance and played Cuff It before moving on to Daft Punk with Get Lucky and Lose Yourself to Dance. The latter a track that Daft punk themselves never played live as they split shortly after the release of their multiple Grammy award winning 2013 album Random Access Memories.
After taking the Audience on a tour of his illustrious career Nile Rodgers brought it back to Chic closing the set with My forbidden Lover and Good Times with a sprinkling of the incredible David Bowie in between with Lets Dance.
Nile Rodgers and Chic brought the party to Halifax and had the crowd dancing from start to finish. Nile Rodgers is an artist that has seen and done it all and now he can he can include the illustrious Piece hall on the list of accomplishments.
Set List:
1. Le Freak
2. Everybody Dance
3. Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
4. I Want Your Love
5. I'm Coming Out
6. Upside Down
7. He’s the Greatest Dancer
8. We Are Family
9. Like a Virgin
10. Material Girl
11. Modern Love
12. CUFF IT
13. Get Lucky
14. Lose Yourself to Dance
15. Lost in Music
16. Notorious
17. Thinking of You
18. My Feet Keep Dancing
19. Chic Cheer
20. Love Like This
21. My Forbidden Lover
22. Let's Dance
23. Good Times
tom jones
Halifax Piece Hall - 12th July 24
Review & photos - John McEvoy
The word ‘legendary’ is bandied around far too often these days to describe, well just about anything!
However, in the case of Tom Jones, this is very much the appropriate word to describe a man who was around at the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, at 84 years old, still knows how to deliver a performance that people will remember for a long time.
The summer series of gigs currently taking place at The Piece Hall in Halifax continues to confirm its status as one of the premier outdoor locations in the UK, and the fact that it is now able to attract stars of the stature of Tom Jones confirms this.
Just before 9pm he took to the stage and the capacity crowd welcomed him back with a huge roar of approval.
Opening song ‘I’m Growing Old’ was a melancholy nod to his advancing years and was delivered with real pathos.
The mood however switched very quickly into party mode with ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and ‘What’s New Pussycat’. The years may mean that he doesn’t move around quite as much, but it must be said that his voice is still as strong as ever.
And so, for the next 90 minutes the 6,000 capacity crowd enjoyed a romp through many Tom Jones standards such as ‘Green Green Grass’, Delilah’ as well as many of his more recent covers such as ‘Sex Bomb’, ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’ and set closer ‘Kiss’.
The encore closers ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ appropriately enough took us all back to when it all started and sent everyone off into the night knowing that they had witnessed something rather special tonight.
Legendary indeed!...
Set list:
I’m Growing Old
Not Dark yet
It’s Not Unusual
What’s New Pussycat
The Windmills Of Your Mind
Sex Bomb
Popstar
Green Green Grass Of Home
One More Cup Of Coffee
Across The Borderline
Talking Reality Television Blues
I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall
Tower Of Song
Delilah
Lazarus Man
You Can Leave Your Hat On
If I Only Knew
Kiss
Encore:
One hell Of A Life
Strange Things Happening Every Day
Jonny B. Goode
Great Balls Of Fire
michael kiwanuka
Halifax Piece Hall - 27th June 24
Review & photos - Liam McEvoy
The season of incredible gigs continued at the Piece Hall, and it was the turn of the brilliant Michael Kiwanuka to take the stage and deliver an incredible set that captivated the crowd from start to finish.
Kiwanuka took to the stage to thunderous applause and wasted no time kicking the gig off with a number of tracks from his 2019 self-titled third studio album KIWANUK, Hard to Say Goodbye, You Ain’t the Problem and Rolling. This series of tracks had the packed out Piece Hall crowd dancing from the off.
Kiwanuka continued is supreme style playing the iconic Black Man in a White World before what was arguably the highlight of the evening when, to the delight of those in attendance Kiwanuka was joined on stage by Lianne La Havas to perform a brilliant version of Rule the World.
The crowd were then treated to a brand new single Floating Parade a live debut just for the Piece Hall audience the track has now been released and is his first new music in nearly three years.
Kiwanuka made his name as brilliant singer songwriter and he treated to crowd to some brilliant acoustic tracks including I’m Getting Ready and his first Major single Home Again.
Kiwanuka closed his set with Solid ground but much to the delight of the crowd after a short wait Kiwanuka returned to the stage and played a further two tracks the fantastic Cold Little heart and Love & Hate which closed the set in supreme style and left the crowd wanting more.
Kiwanuka delivered a phenomenal set at The Piece hall showing his versatility as an artist from funk to soul and to acoustic tracks Kiwanuka is a supremely talented artist at the peak of his powers.
Bebe barry & Emma tea
Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds - 17th July 24
Review & photos - Levi Tubman
This is a double headline tour by the two independent artists based in London who have used crowd funding to put it on across 5 dates around the UK, and tonight we went over to Hyde Park to see what its all about.
It’s my first time at the Book Club, an interesting if quirky venue, I saw a small stage but no equipment on it, the bar staff think there’s a gig downstairs but couldn’t say for sure, I still don’t know if I’m in the right place or not, but then I see them. Bright silver baggy shorts standing out Bebe doesn’t fade into the background, so I know I’m in the right place, downstairs it is. The pair couldn’t be more different, Emma dressed in black quietly talking to the growing audience, while Bebe looks like she’s stepped in a mirror ball and is carrying around a coat that looks like a skinned unicorn, finding standing still almost an impossibility.
The tour is supported by a number of local artists, and up first tonight is Aaron Dinning, a local artist with songs of Life, Love and Loss. He clicks with the audience immediately as the crowd boo the cheating ex in the first number, and laugh and his comments, but the next minute everyone’s silent, wiping tears away as beautifully voices the loss of his father, I’m not sure anyone was expecting to be crying within the first 20 minutes. These emotional opposites are backed by the differing ends of his voice, fragile and light one moment, quickly giving way to huge sustained powerful notes, leaving the audience in silent shock.
Up next is Roo Arwen, having listened to her before I was expecting maybe her and maybe one other musician, but it’s a full stage, and I recognise some of them as playing with tonight’s headliners, so they could have been borrowed? On more than one occasion she apologises for the quality of her ukulele playing, but her playing is flawless, and the instrument is a beautiful match to her voice.
Now it’s not all original music, and we get a cover of the Gorillaz song, Feel Good Inc, and I really can’t stand the song, but the way they play it I’m hooked, given the Roo work over has managed to fix it, her unique voice manages to completely transfer the entire song. Her voice is the key here, the songs are so well written, and they manage to get into your head and get you moving, but her voice is so soulful and beautiful you can see the audience holding their breath at the start of each song and the slight delay at the end before the applause, its simply captivating, I struggled to take many shots as I felt my cameras shutter would be an afront to her sound.
Taking the stage, briming with excited energy, Bebe thanks everyone for coming and helping support the tour, and advising that this could be chaos! I think it could quite easily have ended up in chaos, she can’t keep still, you have the saying dance like no one’s watching? Well, she dances like that with an audience so who knows with no one watching, but despite that everything is in time, and the band are tight and professional with this ball of energy with a permanent smile.
After a negative reception the night before she’s left her life-sized cut-out of Gareth Southgate back in her room, who normally has pride of place at the front during Dumped At The Quarters, and song about the last euros where she was dumped just after England won 5-0 at the quarter finals, more booing for her ex from the crowd, but it’s so catchy and an oddly specific relationship song, like a lot of her material its very unique to her life and this personalization really helps her connect with a specific audience.
It’s not all original material, there’s a cover that everyone’s expecting and this is where the planning starts to fall apart, even though this isn’t the first time, she suddenly finds how hard it is to put on a rainbow fleece while not only holding a wired mic, but also talking into it all the time to the crowd. Ask the band? Nope they’re enjoying the show too, and we all get a cheer when she’s ready and launches into a fantastic cover of The Barbie Movies I Am Ken, outshining the original.
She doesn’t hide that she has ADHD, quite the opposite, leaning into it and putting into the songs, like all musicians, write what you know. With such a personal subject the words seem to flow seamlessly, the songs becoming an extension of herself. All Systems No, when everything gets too much, your brain get overstimulated and burnt out and your personal system just says no, despite the subject it’s a song that shows no sign of stopping, a fan favourite with everyone chanting the chorus along. Her official last song of the night, and also biggest, Don’t Have The Dopamine, the low levels of which contribute towards ADHD, at its core is its symptoms, how they make Bebe feel and present with herself, but this s far too simple a description. It’s a personal anthem, as a lot of her work is, almost a presentation of herself to the world, this is who I am and this is what to expect, and live it gets the feel of a runaway train, it keeps picking up pace taking on an almost frantic edge ending with her on the floor after all has been given.
Not quite, the crowd want more, so we get a quickly rehearsed cover of The Artic Monkeys Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor, and if this was a Yorkshire band chosen to cover for the Yorkshire leg of the tour I’m just glad it wasn’t a Black Lace cover!
Finishing off the night is the Tea to the Barry’s Tea tour, Emma Tea, who were told is from Leeds. It’s a calmer more precise energy on the stage, starting off a little quiet on the vocals, it turns out it’s the first time her family have really gotten to see her perform and she’s has some early nerves. Taking his dad role seriously, he walks right up to the stage as close as he can get to her, if a dad can find a way to be extra embarrassing he will, but it helps break the tension for the second song.
Her music is normally more electronic, with loops samples and beats providing the backing, but tonight we have a full band. The electronic parts are still there, they’re an integral part, but along with them we’ve backing vocals, a couple of guitars, bass and drums.
The drums are huge, every beat feels like a battering ram, he’s hitting them as though it’s the last time he’ll get to, and never wavering against them are those beautiful delicate vocals, the louder the drums get the lighter the vocals seem, but they never drop on volume, every word us up front and clear while managing to stay soft and true to the song.
After announcing a song that’s only getting played tonight for her Mum, who’s in the audience and knows nothing about it, the rest of the band take a rest off stage, there’s an awkward but funny moment as she tries to find a way to sit on the edge, with a guitar to compose herself. It’s so deeply personal and intimate, the rooms silent as she picks her way through it, mentioning a couple of times throughout its hard to do and she promised herself she wouldn’t cry. We made no such promise and at the end there’s a slight pause before the biggest cheer of the night while everyone wipes their eyes.
It’s such a tender moment, there looks to a bit of a mental shaking themselves off from the band, with a slight apology for bringing the energy down from Emma before ramping it quickly back up with a more drum and bass feel, with the bass guitar rumbling away deep in the back while switch between chords, picked notes and solos. Every track gets into your head, with her creative writing the vocal line winds throughout each track as she employs it as a true instrument using it to give not just a melody but also rhythm, I’d love to see her do an acapella number.
There’s a clear difference between the songs live with a band and electronic in the studio, but the arrangement is perfectly done, it still has the same energy and feel but it’s been given a twist and a new life, it’s a style that artists all too often struggle to make the move to live performance.
There’s a wonderfully sweet moment during 29, a song about turning 29, where she apologises to her family for swearing, it’s a part of the song, it’s been sung every night of the tour and has a few thousand plays on spotify, but she still feels bad saying it in front of her family, it makes it all feel more intimate.
There is a theme tonight with all 4 acts, they are all songs about life, not the usual, I met a boy, he’s cute were getting married style, but the more real down to earth grittier parts of life, people leave, people cheat, people get older, not everyone’s brains work the same, sure it might have a sugar pop coating but the subject and meanings are all about life’s up and many downs.
In a world of billion-pound tours, sold out arenas where you’re sitting half a mile from the stage its more important than ever to support independent and local artists and venues so they too can grow like that. The two tickets I bought tonight cost the same as the parking last time I went to the arena in the city, and even with my contribution to the Kickstarter tonight was a bargain,
This was hands down one of my favourite gigs, all 4 artists better than 90% of what you’ll get in the charts at the moment, and it was all so varied, even standing side by side, Emma quiet and smiling all dressed in black, while Bebe is almost physically vibrating dressed in half a skinned unicorn and a mirror ball, and it works. All too often bands choose a support that sounds like them because the fans should like them too, but give the fans something different, something they might not have heard before and might well love.
idles
Piece Hall, Halifax - 13th July 24
Review & photos - Mo Longfellow
IDLES played at The Piece Hall on 13th July and they were utterly brilliant.
Welsh frontman, Joe Talbot, was on top form. He had a lot to say, as you’d imagine, and whilst we got the expected angry, chest thumping delivery of his words, he also has a warmth about him, he gives a shit, not just about his political and life views and getting them across, but about the crowd and the listener. Their philosophy of love and positivity is abundant.
Songs from their new album ‘Tangk’ (released in February this year) such as ‘Pop Pop Pop’ and classics like ‘I’m Scum’ rang out across The Piece Hall grounds. The crowd joined in, in full fettle as they bounced along. There were more crowd surfers than you could shake a stick at and at this point huge credit has to be given to The Piece Hall security for retrieving each surfer and getting them safely back into the crowd. There was never any concern, and it was made clear several times from Joe and Mark Bowen to look after each other, which everyone duly did.
From the off they had a voice, they led the crowd into a chant of ‘Fuck the king’ only a few songs in which set the tone for the night, agree or disagree, everyone there got it. Later on in the set the chant ‘ceasefire now’ rang around the grounds. There was a sense of pride and solidarity, as everyone joined in, which in a world where there is so much hate, anger and violence, felt like a truly beautiful moment.
The was an energy and intensity from the moment they started to the huge ending and I left feeling giddy. Maybe it’s not all bad after all.
deershed
Baldersby Park - 26th/28th July 24
Review - Neil Milner
photos - Neil Milner & Wendy Nicholson
Deer Shed is a wonderful family friendly festival which is reflected in the easy-going atmosphere. The glorious weather we had was the bonus.
There’s something here for everyone, especially for the kids. They can climb tall trees, bang wood pallets together, kayak, etc. They can play, create, even destroy if they are so inclined. I would have loved all this as a child.
However, it’s mostly music and conversation that I’m here to see. Sadly, I couldn’t watch everything, but here is a summary of my highlights.
Ellur from Halifax started proceedings on the Main Stage. She had a big indie-pop sound, along with a rich Yorkshire accent. A winning combination contributing to a strong start. Man / Woman / Chainsaw follow and challenged the audience with inventive rhythms and arrangements, reminding me of the brilliance of Throwing Muses.
Land Yacht Regatta or LYR, provide a beautiful afternoon reverie on the Lodge Stage . Poet Lauriette Simon Armitage provides the spoken word, counterbalanced by the multi-layered sounds of the two other band members.
Back to the Main Stage and watching Jalen Ngonda seems like an artist from a bygone golden age. The music is classic Motown, his voice is sweet and sublime. He should be destined for greater glories.
Dublin based Pillow Queens were electric on the Dock Stage. Power indiepop, combined with strong vocals and melodies. They packed a solid punch, and I was impressed.
The Coral were Friday’s perfect headliner. They played a mixture of new songs from their excellent recent albums Sea of Mirrors and Coral Island. They played many of their early hits towards the end of their set including Jacqueline, Dreaming of You, and the riff-tastic Goodbye, complete with the self-indulgent, psychedelic, prog musical wig-out.
Saturday started leisurely watching Simon Armitage in conversation with Dave Simpson in the Buckendz Tent. He confirmed his main renumeration for being Poet Lauriette is an annual case of sherry! He believes Imposter Syndrome is a classically northern trait, a lack of which betrays a sign of entitlement. More on that later.
Picture Parlour got the music going on the Main Stage. They sounded to my ears like mid to recent years Arctic Monkeys, but without the memorable tunes. Deadletter followed with a confusing political edge. I wasn’t clear what they were angry about.
Baba Ali livened things up on the Dock Stage with their powerful stage presence and incessant groove. They were followed by the energetic and engaging Personal Trainer. Back on the Main Stage Kokoko!from Kinshasa were vigorous with their huge eclectic memorable mess of sounds.
BC Camplight slowed things down and was phenomenal. My own highlight was watching them perform the delight that is ‘Back to Work’.
She Drew the Gun stepped in for John Francis Flynn on the Lodge Stage. Focussed, energised and strongly political, you know what you are getting from them. Or do you? I wasn’t expecting their cover of the Beloved’s Sweet Harmony, but it fitted well with their philosophy.
Bombay Bicycle Club were the perfect headliners engaging the crowd with songs played from all their albums. They triumphed against the setback of losing guitarist Jamie MacColl to imminent parenthood. His replacement was faultless. The immediate crowd was as big as I’ve seen at Deer Shed, and kids and their parents loved them equally.
Dominie Hooper eased us into Sunday playing her folk inspired songs on the Lodge Stage.
In the Buckendz Tent, Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, was in conversation with Rima Ahmed. Andy was promoting his book Head North written with Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotherham where they propose a ten-point plan for a more equal Britain. Like Simon Armitage on Saturday, Andy is convinced Imposter Syndrome is predominantly a norther trait.
On the Main Stage, The Tubs sounded authentically indie, and I’m not being complimentary saying that.Home Counties played a strong hardcore set of indie-funk along with strong political messages on the Dock Stage.
Bess Atwell played a perfect pleasant Sunday afternoon set under intense heat on the Main Stage. One song reminded me of Mazzy Star.
Go Team! followed. They are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their classic debut album Thunder, Lightning Strike. They were excellent. Their tunes have an uncanny knack of sounding like classic 1970s/80s TV theme tunes. ‘Huddle Formation’ was subject to a wonderfully choreographed flashmob moment.
I know Fat Dog seem to be the band of the moment, but they clashed with Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote on the Lodge Stage, and I wasn’t missing that. They don’t play very often, and many of the songs were from last year’s terrific record I Des. He was hugely entertaining and implored us all to cheer song titles in the same way he noticed Coldplay fans did at Glastonbury. We were only happy to comply.
CMAT closed the festival with a blistering set. What a terrific voice she has, what memorable tunes, and what great entertainment she provides. Songs were from albums If My Wife New I'd Be Dead and Mercury Music Prize nominated Crazymad, for Me. But she also did a faithful cover of Wuthering Heights. I didn’t think that was possible, but it was a delight to hear.
Links
richard ashcroft
The Piece Hall, Halifax - 2nd Aug 24
Reviewed by Dave Flerin
Photos courtesy of Cuffe & Taylor/The Piece Hall
The magnificent Piece Hall is beautifully framed by a grey evening sky by the time we rock up in Halifax to be entertained. A crowd of several thousand 50 plussers in bucket hats greets us, with a sprinkling of Britpop Bri (see Viz!) variants thrown in for good measure.
Leeds-based Apollo Junction provide the support action, treating us to an energetic and committed set of indie-pop crowd-pleasers; even getting some audience participation during “Are You Happy”. Despite the gloomy skies, everyone on stage is sporting shades, including a six-piece female choir; and I like to think it’s the sunglasses that are holding off what looks like an imminent massive downpour.
When Richard Ashcroft takes to the stage, he instantly takes everyone into the palm of his hand and keeps us there right until the end. I’m not a serious fan, but I’m totally won over by the songs and that voice, which is strong, dripping with emotion, and plain perfect tonight.
He’s backed by a three-piece band who make an unfeasibly BIG noise as they rattle through a succession of The Verve hits, and Richard’s standout solo records. And when he says, "Together we're stronger, we know that!" it rightly feels emotional, given what’s been going on lately, and I’m hoping that everyone gets the real sentiment behind those words.
During “Song For The Lovers” a projected backdrop scrolls through a succession of famous couples, from Serge and Jane, to Jim and Pam and countless glamorous hookups in between. Ashcroft’s way with the crowd is effortlessly amiable, and even “space hippy Richard” from early 90s Verve makes a reappearance!
“Sonnet” and “The Drugs Don’t Work” are both life-affirming, hairs on the back of the neck moments which have lost none of their poignancy over time, despite the (brilliant) guitarist being more rock-God and less indie-hero than Nick McCabe.
Finally, everything ends with a majestic Bittersweet Symphony, and there can’t be many better ways to finish a sellout show in such a beautiful setting.
Stunning, from start to finish. Richard Ashcroft is more of a national treasure than Stephen Fry.
Discuss.
the stranglers
Piece Hall, Halifax - 3rd Aug 24
Review & photos - Anya Weston-Shaw
It is no surprise to most people that I am a fan of The Stranglers. Something in the Dr Martens, distinctive basslines and complex song subjects makes them a band I can only hope to keep carrying through life’s milestones. Besides also being a huge inspiration in picking up the bass guitar.
As the anticipation within The Piece Hall built, I looked forward to the energy and the portrayal of all albums and iconography in a live context. With the dressing of the stage leading to further intrigue and excitement. The set carried a gothic quality with the modern twist and the creativity of chandeliers hanging from the rig was striking and very fitting. All I could think was- ‘It’s The Stranglers, it has to be utterly brilliant’.
It was.
The band played hits and rarities from well-known ‘Peaches’ to the more obscure with tracks such as ‘Genetix’. All carried energy, grace and most-importantly charisma. From bassist and original member, Jean Jacques-Burnel kicking up his leg in his signature style to Baz making comments about people’s mullets in the audience allowed for a fun and immersive performance to be cultivated.
You didn’t feel like just the audience, you felt like so much more!
The band making the comment at one point about it being the band’s 50th Anniversary tour was astonishing. The people a saw on stage were of course experienced but had so much to give onstage and also the anarchic flair that we all crave when seeing a band live in this context.
Overall, the band took us on a journey through hits, new tracks and old favourites. In the crowd, there wasn’t one person who wasn’t smiling, dancing or seeming to enjoy this triumphant performance.
Finally, a note to The Stranglers- please never stop touring and sharing your music with us. As someone who has only managed to see you a couple of times, I’m not ready for it to end yet.
