Category: Gig Gallery

Sydney Sprague at The Rebel Lounge, Phoenix, 15th December 2023

Sydney Sprague finished her first headline tour, Somebody in Hell Loves You, the title of her new album, at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ to a sold-out house on December 15th. It was a tight set from the moment Sydney and her band (Chuck Morriss III on bass and synth, Sébastien Deramet on electric guitar and Matt Storto on drums) took to the stage. Sydney’s dynamic vocals were spot on as she rocked out the songs from her sophomore album with Rude Records. Her fans sang along with her, and some people had traveled from out of town to be at Sydney’s final performance of the year. Sydney and her band put on an impressive show that was a triumph and left her fans wanting more.

The supporting acts were Wheelwright, who was on tour with Sydney and playing songs from his new EP, and Harrison Fjord – two bands out of Phoenix. During Wheelwright’s set, Sydney sang a duet with Wheelwright, Wilderness Call, which was hauntingly beautiful.

Gallery from the evening here…

Harrison Fjord

Wheelwright

Sydney Sprague

Review and photos by Jennifer Mullins 

Published 23rd December 2023

VLURE, Psweatpants & Pearling at SWG3, Glasgow, 16th December 2023

There’s nothing like a hometown gig, and SWG3 proved the perfect venue for VLURE’s all conquering end to an exceptional 12 months, its industrial backdrop leaning into the music, lighting and sound on point as always, hand selected supports completing the evening.

First up, experimental and ethereal sound and visuals from Pearling welcoming the early arrivals in, debut EP Celestia, Deep Sea Diver is well worth a listen. Another to check out, Psweatpants followed on changing the pace up and taking the crowd along with him with ease. Describing him as a rapper seems a little understated, the influence from multiple genres makes it a much better all round offering than that.

And so to VLURE. Over the years I’ve seen more artists play live than I can remember, but I reckon I can count on one hand those that I would happily go and see every night of the week, and they’ve long since joined that list. VLURE must surely have ticked off a sizeable list of achievements this year with extensive touring across the UK and Europe, trips to Glastonbury and SXSW, an increasing presence on national radio airplay and the SAMA for Best Live Act. What comes next remains to be seen but will undoubtedly continue to hit the purity of honest music made from the heart, and live performances that metaphorically set the place on fire every time.

It kind of feels there’s not much to add that I’ve not said before. All I can say is this band help me breathe, and 2023 would have been a lot darker without them. The transcendence is set to keep building in 2024… can’t wait.

Pearling

Psweatpants

VLURE

Words and photos © Siobhan

Published 19th December 2023

 

 

VLURE, Ebbb & The Era at The 100 Club, London, 4th December 2023

Having spent a huge chunk of the year playing gigs and festivals, VLURE show no signs of letting up any time soon, and a sold out date at the iconic 100 Club paid testament to their recent win in the Best Live Act at the SAMAs (Scottish Alternative Music Awards). The venue was rammed, hot, sweaty and filled with an ever increasing crowd of familiar and new faces, lucky enough to witness another blistering performance. They deserve every bit of success that comes their way and we’ve said it before but it bears repeating – get onto this before you miss your chance to see VLURE in a smaller venue, their advancement to the top is picking up pace with every show they play and every song they release. Next up, expect a massive hometown welcome at Glasgow’s SWG3 on 16th December.

Take a listen to the supports too – Ebbb mix hypnotic vocals with tribal drumming and club beats to boot. And The Era? Imagine playing your first gig to a sold out 100 Club – quite the way to kick things off, and the guitar/harp combination definitely impressed. A good shout, if you like VLURE, chances are you’ll want to check these two out as well.

The Era

Ebbb

VLURE

Words and photos © Siobhan

Published 5th December 2023

Carsie Blanton at Cleere’s Bar and Theatre, Kilkenny, 26th November 2023

Is it punk! Is it folk! Is it jazz? Well it’s all three and more and it works, as Sunday night proved at Carsie’s sold-out show at Cleere’s Bar and Theatre in Kilkenny. I got in early to get to the front of this nice and intimate venue and lucky I did, as once doors opened the people started piling in, and a few times we had to be asked to all take a step forward so more could get into the room. Opting for no support, Carsie got straight into things with her mix of love – hate and political songs, but don’t let that deter you as it’s not all heavy doom and gloom. Mixed in throughout the set are some fun anecdotes and even a very funny Dan Reeder song Born a Worm (lyrics: Born a worm, Spins a cocoon, Goes to sleep, Wakes up a butterfly, Oh what the fuck is that about? What the fuck is that about?) Also the crowd were treated to a good mix of old and new songs as Carsie’s new album After The Revolution is due for release on 21st March 2024.

Carsie Blanton

Words and photos © Ian Mc Donnell (Mc Gig Photography) – Instagram | Facebook

Published 28th November 2023

 

Bob Vylan, Kid Bookie & Panic Shack at Chalk, Brighton, 24th November 2023

As if the force of Bob Vylan wasn’t enough, Friday night saw their Brighton show at Chalk with the added bonus of Panic Shack and Kid Bookie supporting – a solid mix resulting in a bouncing venue and all three acts drawing people in.

Panic Shack (photos iso400.com)

Kid Bookie (photos 16beasleyst)

The Bob Vylan experience is gaining momentum, and it’s easy to see why. Starting with a little Guided Meditation and Light Stretching warm up and careering through their ever-growing catalogue of protest songs for the 2020s, it’s a mesmerising escapade that takes everyone along for the ride.

Mixing punk with rap and a pulsing backbeat, their energy is infusive and they have the crowd eating out the palm of their hand – and also making a break over the barrier with a promise of free merch for the first person past security onto the stage. We Live Here, He’s a Man and Dream Big all receive a big reaction, and it’s maybe Pretty Songs that takes the top spot amidst an increasingly sweaty mosh pit.

It’s noted that they’ve been called the most important band in the UK and “they call us the Fred Perry Mafia – you got to respect the wreath”. It’s pretty clear that the wreath, the band, and their message are all respected, and it doesn’t look like their rise to success will be stopping any time soon.

Bob Vylan (photos 16beasleyst)

Photos: Panic Shack © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Bob Vylan/Kid Bookie © Siobhan (16 Beasley St Photography)

27th November 2023