Category: Live Music

Bill Ryder-Jones at Chalk, Brighton, 19th March 2024

With his ever-growing collection of songs full of heartache and hope, Bill Ryder-Jones is back out on tour across the UK and Europe. An always understated performance, his ability to connect with the crowd through the simplicity of occasional chat and beautiful tunes is something that he excels at.

Last night’s show at Brighton’s Chalk offered up a mix of songs old and new, tracks from latest album Iechyd Da comfortably rubbing shoulders with the old favourites. This was highlighted by renditions of both A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart (2013) and A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart part 3 (2024), noting the full circle journey these reflect. Wild Swans and Wild Roses appeared back to back, and the band stepped into the shadows for a mid-set solo acoustic rendition of Seabirds. In contrast to the intensity of the music, there was an unexpected impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Hendrix-esque riff to follow a quick tune-up on the guitar. 

The show closed with This Can’t Go On, lead single from Iechyd Da, testament to how far Ryder-Jones has come since co-founding indie favourites The Coral back in the mid 90s. Singer-songwriter, musician, producer and film score composer… West Kirby should be proud.

Further dates announced for this year and links to buy Iechyd Da in the format of your choice can be found here

Review/photos by Callum

Published 21st March 2024

Meryl Streek & Polite Bureaux at Green Door Store, Brighton, 28th February 2024

There are definite peaks and troughs in trends of new music, and phases where it feels like things are coasting and a little safe. Not to knock that for those looking for familiarity, but it genuinely warms my heart to see some of the newer acts coming through that dare to be different and produce material they believe in, rather than what they know will be accepted en masse. Last night’s gig at Green Door paid testament to that in style.

Opening act, Brighton based Polite Bureaux should be well up on your to see list if you haven’t done so yet. With an album release pending, there are new tracks added to their set which surely cement their progress towards a bigger audience. This is not the mass produced Everyone-sounds-like-The-Fall spoken word so widely available, it’s skillful wordplay with pulsing drum beats and synth/bass riffs that bounce through the room. Really looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Headlining the evening, Dublin’s Meryl Streek provides up close and personal effrontery with lyrics that take direct aim at the Irish government and the Catholic Church amongst others. Judging by the current den of political incompetency, it seems little coincidence that running the country and ruining the country are only one letter apart, and Meryl Streek is here to challenge that with no holds barred.

Barely a second standing still, his performance is confrontational and engaging in equal measures, hints of grime and trip-hop providing the perfect musical backdrop to the tirade of spoken stories heading across the crowd. The set goes by too fast and again, comes highly recommended.

An excellent night, make no mistake that punk is back knocking your door down, but this time it wants you to dance. Give thanks for that.

Meryl Streek | Polite Bureaux

Words and photos © Siobhan – 16 Beasley St Photography

Published 29th February 2024

Live – Adult DVD, SAD DADS & Room Service at The Prince Albert, Brighton

With headliners Adult DVD coming highly recommended, Thursday’s gig at The Albert held lots of promise, and didn’t disappoint. First up though, we saw a different side to Room Service, playing a largely acoustic and seated set. Despite the change in pace, they sounded great and set the atmosphere for the evening. Resolutely not seated, SAD DADS were up next with bags of indie-surf energy and a fine array of sunglasses, don’t let the fact that they don’t appear to take things too seriously belie the talent in the band.

With as much synth as you could fit on the stage, Adult DVD are Yorkshire’s answer to Kraftwerk with a bit more humour in their lyrics and performance. There are layers to the music that are much more complex than they make them look, an idiosyncratic hybrid of electronica, techno and dry pop that has the crowd singing, dancing and loathe to let them finish their set. Seemingly this was their first show in Brighton; if they listen to the demand it will by no means be their last. Passing that high recommendation on for sure.

Hosted by Hidden Herd

Room Service

SAD DADS

Adult DVD

Words and photos © Siobhan – Website | Instagram

Published 18th February 2024

Bishopskin, Nina Winder-Lind, RY-GUY & Van Zon at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 7th February 2024

It seems the return of the big band is here, by which I mean a four-piece was the smallest collective on stage at The Hope & Ruin on Wednesday, not to mention the plethora of instruments that appeared across the night, including a couple of violins, a trombone and a clarinet. Local openers Van Zon are steadily making a name for themselves with strong, long songs and an undertone of VU ambiguity. Second on, RY-GUY caught my attention last year with The Shop Is Closing,  and it was a pleasure to find his set matched the soulful psych of his recorded tracks. Next up, followers of the New Eves will be familiar with Nina Winder-Lind’s cello playing, her set here showing adeptness also for keys and guitar. Along with her band, Nina’s vocal and vibe continued the night’s nostalgic art-pop feel. And so to headliners Bishopskin, initially a lockdown project that veers from strength to strength, with a performance that would please fans of everyone from Jefferson Airplane to a gospel choir. Whether they end up being your new favourite band or not, you should go and see Bishopskin at least once for an experience you won’t forget. Gallery below…

Hosted by Hidden Herd

Van Zon

RY-GUY

Nina Winder-Lind

Bishopskin

Words and photos © Siobhan – Website | Instagram | Twitter

Published 9th February 2024