Category: Review

Chalk & Lifts at Green Door Store, Brighton, 27th March 2024

So it seems that I’ve made a mistake in not seeing Chalk sooner, a mistake I won’t make again having seen first hand at Brighton’s Green Door last night just how ridiculously good they are live. For a three-piece, they make some serious noise, and their stage presence coupled with a heavy strobe makes the overall effect quite mesmeric, though still challenging and confrontational.

Repping the Belfast music scene with assured aplomb, I’m not sure I can acknowledge the post-punk label that seems to be thrown towards them from many corners, it’s really not a phrase that means much any more, and this is a band who definitely mean something. If they have to sit under an umbrella it would  maybe be a dark, industrial, techno umbrella, but maybe it doesn’t matter – just take a listen to the music and get to see them perform if you can.

A nod also to support act for the night, Lifts. When the stage is laid out with a violin, viola and sax among the usual guitar, keys and drums, you know something different is about to happen. Their experimental, alternately melancholy and full force rock offer makes Lifts an intriguing prospect – ones to watch without doubt.

Lifts

Chalk

Review and photos © Siobhan – 16beasleystphotography.com | Instagram

Published 28th March 2024

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

Dorian Electra at The Academy Dublin, 30th January 2024

Dorian Electra’s EU/UK Fanfare tour started in Warsaw on the 18th of January and came to a climax in Dublin at The Academy on the 30th. The last time Dorian played Dublin they played the smaller Greenroom in The Academy to a packed out room, this time around they were in the big main venue and it was no different. Coming on stage at 9pm, they exploded on to the set which was decked out in a circus theatre style, and Dorian for the first song stood in the middle of a large lit up ring. Throughout the night, to the delight of their fans, they played hit after hit and the whole show was like a Cabaret, as there were costume changes and a number of different dancers acting out a storyline to certain songs. At one point even Dorian themself was beheaded, and the song after this was played while the only person on the stage was a clown performing an opera-like scene to the song Vesti la Giubba by the Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo, with just the head in hand.

Overall the night not only proved Dorian’s singing talents but also their stage performance, and I suspect their stage production talents also. By the end of the show (as that’s what it was more so than a gig!) everyone in the crowd was left totally satisfied and could not have asked for more from Dorian, who could not have put on a better night’s performance.

Set-list:

Symphony
Idolize
Flamboyant
Puppet
Adam & Steve
Manmade Horrors
Yes Man
Vesti la Giubba -Ruggero Leoncavallo song (Clown Singing Opera)
anon
Phonies
Ram It Down
M’Lady (+ S3RL Remix)
Touch Grass
Interlude(Dance break)
Career Boy (Acoustic, Shortened)
Man To Man
Lifetime
Warning Signs
Wanna Be a Star
______________________________
Sodom & Gomorrah
Freak Mode

Dorian Electra

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

Published 1st February 2024

Nukuluk, Polite Bureaux, Nina Kohout & Own World at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 24th January 2024

Those of you in or near enough to drop into Brighton would do well to check out the monthly new music showcases put together by local promoter Hidden Herd – spotlighting some of the best emerging talent around, there’s likely to be an eclectic mix of some names you’ve heard and the opportunity to find a new favourite act.

Wednesday night saw another great line-up at The Hope & Ruin opening with some accomplished laid back indie tunes from Own World, followed by a fusion of stripped-back vocals and theatrical performance from Nina Kohout – if you like the idea of PJ Harvey hooking up with Portishead (and why would you not) then you’re in for a treat here. Next on and shifting up the energy in the room to the max, Polite Bureaux’s mix of electro-punk spoken word is simultaneously clever, confrontational and absolutely not to be ignored – expect bigger things to come. And to finish the evening, experimental synth hip-hop and in-crowd dance moves from Nukuluk, veering from chaos to calm with ease. Gallery below…

Own World

Nina Kohout

Polite Bureaux

Nukuluk

Words and photos © Siobhan O’Driscoll – Website | Instagram | Twitter

Published 26th January 2024

Dead Men Walking at Whelan’s, Dublin, 23rd January 2024

Last night saw Dead Men Walking play a blinder at Whelan’s of Dublin. The band made up of Kirk Brandon (Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny) Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) Segs Jennings and Dave Ruffy (The Ruts), have just started their 2024 Part 1 Acoustic & Live – Songs & Stories tour, last night being the opening night with four more shows to follow on Irish shores, before the band head back to the UK for ten further shows.

Last night consisted of plenty of stories from all band members and songs from their respective bands, also a few others thrown in. By the end of the night there were no Dead Men Walking out of the venue as the band gave the crowd a great night to remember and all left to brave the mild but windy night outside, but I for one walked the streets to catch my bus with a smile on my face, as it was good to hear some of the great punk classics played acoustically and in such an intimate setting.

Setlist:
The Price (Spear of Destiny)
Music Must Destroy (The Ruts)
Nobody’s Hero (Stiff Little Fingers)
Radio, Radio (Elvis Costello & The Attractions)
Kill the Pain (Ruts DC)
My Dark Places
Man Down
In A Rut (The Ruts)
She Grew Up (Stiff Little Fingers)
Never Take Me Alive (Spear of Destiny)
Staring at the Rude Boys (The Ruts)
Suspect Device (Stiff Little Fingers)
Do You Believe in the West World (Theatre of Hate)
Babylon’s Burning (The Ruts)
Alternative Ulster (Stiff Little Fingers)

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

Published 24th January 2024

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