Category: Review

Altered Images & Vanity Fairy at Concorde 2, Brighton, 13th September 2022

There’s always an element of a gamble in seeing an artist whose music you’ve listened to as you grew up. Will it bring back happy memories or feel like a tribute to the past? No such concern with Altered Images as, in addition to the classics, Clare Grogan has continued to stake her place in the music world, with collaborations on latest album Mascara Streakz with both Bernard Butler and Robert Hodgens, better known to most of us as Bobby Bluebell.

The set at Brighton’s Concorde 2 showcased her ability to hold the audience in the palm of her hand with a mix of great tunes, storytelling and an instantly recognisable voice that still sounds as strong as ever. It rained for most of the day on Tuesday but the night ended with a spark of pure sunshine; impossible not to enjoy this.

And a shout out for an inspired choice of support as Vanity Fairy won over the crowd (not an easy task when you have a fanbase this established) with their enchanting synth-disco tunes, complete with a vocal worthy of the love child of Kate Bush and Sylvester.

For one night only, the seafront had more sequins than pebbles – which is no bad thing.

Vanity Fairy

Altered Images

Words and photos by Siobhan

16th September 2022

THEIA at Rock City, Nottingham, 14th September 2022
(Supporting Magnum)

Brothers… who’d have them! An easy question for Kyle and Ash Lamley, the fraternal duo who make up the incredible multi-genre combo, THEIA.

I caught up with the guys backstage at Rock City before they took the stage on the 3rd date of their tour supporting mighty Hard Rock icons, MAGNUM on their 50^th anniversary tour.

Prior to my visit, I’d been listening to the young band’s catalogue and could only question how the duo secured such a prestigious support? Elder brother, singer Kyle, explained that Magnum keyboard wizard, Rick Benton, had been a college inspiration and the personal connection was made there.

The brothers are chatty, relaxed and very funny. If you get to meet them, ask how Kyle, being an official Teletubby, met the love of his life! They’re great storytellers, which translates into well-crafted and often introspective lyrics of their songs.

Outside Rock City the queue of Magnum fans began early and I couldn’t help but wonder how these hardcore rockers would receive this young band!

As the Lamley brothers took to the stage, their clever use of theatrics engaged their audience instantly, before even striking a note! Kyle announced the band’s arrival with a large placard emblazoned ‘APPLAUSE’, followed by a quick flip to reverse, ‘MANIC SCREAM,’ the crowd dutifully followed. Behind the drum kit, younger brother, Ash, adorned an enormous pair of inflatable hands to add extra fun and warmth to their unusual introduction.

With the audience already on their side, THEIA opened with Fire, establishing the tone for the remainder of the set with strong beats, brave lyrics and infectious energy. This was followed by fan favourite, Blue Heart.

As the crowd swelled in number, following a perfect rendition of the emotional There’s A Boy , telling the story of Kyle’s growing up with Type-1 Diabetes, Ash emerged from behind the drum kit to re-ignite the room by leading a dynamic, fun t-shirt give-away .

The set concluded with a great singalong, HooWoo; the entire crowd by this time having quadrupled in size joining in as one!

For a novice THEIA gig goer, this was a young band’s masterclass in how to win fans and influence them!

Good luck THEIA; based on that performance, your future is assured!

THEIA

Words and photos by Tina Sherwood at All The Ts Photography

16th September 2022

VLURE at The Moth Club, London, 9th September 2022

And so it builds – new songs like blankets you can wrap yourself in, a growing fanbase travelling far from home, a sense of expectation that is never disappointed – the rise of VLURE isn’t stopping any time soon.

Never Heard of Ya’s combined 3rd birthday and farewell party filled The Moth Club on Friday night, and there’s little doubt about who stole the show. Every VLURE set feels like a privilege to witness, something you’ll never regret making the journey for. And catching familiar faces in the crowd is becoming a regular thing too, a strong sense of being in on an increasingly less well kept secret.

With the stage ferocity of The Snakeheads, the pulsing tempo of heavy dance beats and the propulsion of all that was good about 80s’ electronica, if you’ve not caught this band live yet then don’t sleep on it for too much longer… but be nice and save us a space at the front.

VLURE

Words and photos by Siobhan

12th September 2022

Everything Everything at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, 24th August 2022

I think it’s fair to say that the past two years have been pretty rough for us all. The live music scene has certainly had its share of struggles since the initial outbreak of Covid-19, but amongst the endless doom and gloom there is cause for optimism.

Back in the summer of 2020, the Revive Live campaign (a partnership between The National Lottery and Music Venue Trust) launched to help independent venues survive post-Covid. Its mission is to support UK grass roots venues by bringing big artists to intimate crowds, and well, so far so good.

Manchester art rock heavyweights Everything Everything grace the Wedge’s stage tonight to a sold-out crowd, but first up we have Hayden Thorpe. Performing as a solo act, Hayden conjures up a calming atmosphere which is unfortunately punctured by the gathering crowd’s constant chatting. However, Hayden seems unphased for the most part and looks to be enjoying himself. Good for him.

Having only heard a handful of tracks from Everything Everything’s six album discography, I’m told that their latest album Raw Data Feel is one of their best. Luckily then tonight’s set leans heavily on that cache of tunes. Teletype kicks things off, and the crowd are immediately singing along to every word and dancing like they’re VIP guests at the world’s greatest indie-disco circa 2005.

Watching the set unfold at a steady pace, I feel that Everything Everything are a band that is greater than the sum of its parts. Michael Spearman’s drums are loud, punchy and straight to the point. This approach then complements Jeremy Pritchard’s tight rolling bass grooves, whilst Alex Robertshaw’s efficient yet effective guitar leads provide plenty of texture and dynamics to songs like Jennifer and Night of the Long Knives.

Singer Jonathan Higgs’s passionate falsetto vocal delivery rounds off the Everything Everything sound, and it’s during Kemosabe where it really shines. The crowd sing along loudly, and Higgs can’t help but smile throughout as his words are pelted back at the band with more enthusiasm than I’m used to seeing these days.

Now, I have already admitted to not being well-versed on the subject of Everything Everything’s back catalogue. However, the last three songs of the main set are really impressive. Here we get the triple threat ‘bangers’ Bad Friday, Cough Cough and I Want A Love Like This. Each track is a total ear worm, and I’ve had them stuck in my head since the show. I Want A Love Like This in particular gets my vote as Robertshaw moves over to play synth, and Higgs’s voice soars during the chorus. I feel alive indeed.

We had to leave before the encore sadly, but judging by the band’s performance tonight, I would say Everything Everything are a solid and enjoyable live act, and it was fun seeing them play on a smaller stage. So, support the Revive Live campaign, support your local independent music venue and maybe knock the chat on the head whilst the acts are performing.

Everything Everything

Words by Ryan Howarth
Photos by Hannah Mesquitta

31st August 2022

Safety Jacket, Maximilian & Pastil at The Rialto Theatre, Brighton, 12th August 2022

After a couple of years in the making, Safety Jacket launched their debut album Honey from the Wasp Nest into the world on Friday night in the stunning setting of Brighton’s Rialto Theatre. 

Kicking things off, Pastil opened proceedings with some smooth dream-pop tunes, just the thing to escape from the heat outside to. Announcing a name change to bobbysmiles, watch out for what’s to follow.

Next up, having swiftly emerged from behind the first set’s drum kit to take the mic for the second – Maximilian with an almost Cure-esque quality to his vocals, and some more familiar faces to hand from the local scene.

And so to Safety Jacket – a special evening for the Brighton three-piece and lots of support in the room. Honey from the Wasp Nest is as much a collection of short stories as a collection of songs. Dedicated to vocalist George’s grandad Derek, a photo of whom is projected above the stage, it feels like a very honest and heartfelt project, the ethos of which will be relatable to many. Veering from indie rock to almost Bragg-like protest poetry, the album is full of twists, turns and mood swings.

With lots to reflect on, it’s clear that the band have put everything into making this record and it stands up as a piece of work that manages to avoid the pitfalls of sameness that it’s easy to fall into in an attempt to follow trends. Something of a concept album, showcased at the theatre with a great reception and a call back for one more song at the end? I reckon Derek would’ve loved it.

You can listen to and purchase the album here

Words and photos by Siobhan

15th August 2022

The Cribs at Pryzm Kingston for Banquet Records, 31st July 2022

The Cribs have a diehard fanbase, always there to party and equally happy to hear the new tunes as the old ones. This week though has been all about the old ones, as the Wakefield trio released special edition versions of their first three albums.

And to add the icing to the cake, some live shows to take everyone down memory lane. A show to play through each of the albums, The Cribs, The New Fellas and Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever. The twist? All three on the same day, one after another. Sunday was the turn of Banquet Records, utilising Pryzm down the road for their out-stores.

Almost off to a shaky start with a broken down van, happily none of us knew how close things were to being cancelled, and the opportunity was there for those in the right bit of the queue inside to watch the Lionesses kick off on time instead. But inevitably worth the wait, The Cribs never disappoint live, not once, not twice, not three times.

A day to remember and a chance to relive the early days – all three records are currently and deservedly sitting comfortably in the UK chart top 10. What can you say? Brilliant albums, brilliant shows, whatever…

Words and photos by Siobhan

2nd August 2022

Deliluh at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 17th June 2022

Something of a well kept secret, Deliluh combine influences from different eras and genres, their Canadian roots and European base no doubt adding to the melting pot. The band are now a duo comprising Kyle Knapp and Julius Pederson, but the sound they create is worthy of a stage full of musicians, perhaps not surprising as they seem able to switch between instruments at the drop of a hat, without even needing a hat.

A heady mix of synths, distortion and a lap steel guitar, topped off by the unexpected but delightful addition of sax, the crowd veered between transfixation and jubilant dancing. Elements of early VU, the darker side of 80s’ electronica, hints of melancholy and the stage presence of a certain Mr E Smith made for a very special evening. I wonder how long the secret will be well kept.

Words and photos by Siobhan

23rd June 2022