Shadders 'darn the front' in 2009. All the reviews here!
Ian Brown
Venue: Sheffield 02 Academy. It's back again to our fav 'big' Sheff venue, there's a big crowd in but still tickets available on the night which is a bit strange as there's two sold out dates later in the week up in Leeds. Support: To be honest we're out in the rain waiting for our pass to be sorted but we're in just in time to catch a couple of Carpe Diem's last few tracks. There's a load of rambling but we put that down to the fact it's only about their fifth gig and he's a bit giddy but it's not their crowd and they should really just get down to it. It's pretty solid stuff but never really appeals to the masses who have only a couple of things on their mind, Ian Brown and how long is the queue to the bar! The Band: In fine form from the outset, buoyed by recent critical acclaim and a hideously partisan crowd. He kicks off with early doors with some career spanning hits to please and warm up the crowd and enjoys posing for the assembled photographers who brave the flying ale to capture that 'perfect' Brown shot! Brown also relays the tale of his previous visit in which he ended up in hospital and even shows off the resulting scars. His banter is extensive and extremely amusing, likening one bloke to a lobster before relaying possible the only crustacean gag made at a gig! He also dishes the goss that he's been down south on tour for the last few weeks and missed the Northern girls, who are the best and have 'Sister rose' dedicated to them! The set is slightly bogged down mid way through with new stuff, the crowd though are patient and when the tunes are as good as 'Vanity kills' they deserve a good airing. 'Marathon man' gets the hands back in the air and the pace back up. It gets better and better and Brown finishes with a magnificent 'FEAR' which is one of his career defining moments, it's just damn awesome and the crowd goes proper mental. After Brown finally leaves the stage after putting back on his class shades and jacket the chants of 'Ian Brown' begin, it easily beats the terrace volume down the road and beckons back the legend on stage. And what an encore! There's a barmy blast through the one and only Roses' track tonight and what a choice, 'Fools gold' gets the place well and truly rocking and his band give it some real meat to go with his classic vocals. Brown then states he's gonna do what he's here for, to 'Stellify' again to simply stunning effect. It is what he's best at, laying down the groove and blasting it out and the fans just lap it up. He finishes off 'Just like you' he's vocals have been slightly off kilter at times on and off during the evening (but that's Ian Brown's vocals for you) appear to be blown to bits but it matters not as South Yorkshire's finest (Brown's very own words) enjoy the finale to the full. Verdict: The atmosphere is fantastic and Brown is at his best, giving plenty of his solo hits and enjoying himself whilst airing his latest stuff. His vocals are a bit up and down but not in any major detrimental way and in any case the crowd get him through any ruff moments. It's another class gig and is evidence that his current legend isn't any fluke.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 10
Ability - 8
Effort - 9
Ian Brown - value for money - 9
(December 2009)
The Enemy
Venue: Sheffield 02 Academy. Less than seven days since our last visit we are back at the Academy except this time it's the main doors into the 'big' venue. Surprisingly it's not actually a sell out but there's still a more than healthy crowd in and judging by their shenanigans between supports they're gonna be well up for it too. Support: Bit of a doodle being a support on a night like this, so are General Fiasco onto a winner then? Hell yeah but they are good value for their short support set. They hail from over the water in Northern Ireland and boast a pair of brothers within their trio. For a three piece they can give it some hammer too, creating quite a din for some young lads and putting the power into indie power pop. Job done and turned a few heads tonight. The Band: The place is absolutely flaming buzzing by the time 'Fuckin' in the bushes' booms out to herald The Enemy's arrival, it's an old choice but why not as Oasis won't be using it no more! The first thing that hits you is just how small Tom is, but he's got one hell of an ego for a little fellow. It may appear arrogant off stage but on it his cock sure attitude is well justified, he goes hell for leather and the place erupts, one of the best crowd reactions that the Academy has ever seen. Musically there isn't too much uncharted territory covered by The Enemy, everyone from Hard Fi, The Ordinary Boy through to Oasis has been here and ploughed this musical furrow. But The Enemy do it damn well and live they are pulsating. There are some real 'moments' too, 'We live and die in these towns' which is as valid in Sheffield (and the whole of South Yorkshire in fact) as it was whilst writing it down in Coventry and it's a real peach tonight, the entire place and we do mean the entire place joins in for a spot of indie karaoke. Choice tracks from the new album 'Music for the people' goes down pretty well, 'Be somebody' is excellent and the slightly downbeat 'Sing when you're in love' is a treat. But it's the 'old stuff' that keeps the pace really alight. The trio depart after a surprisingly short set but there's another one of those 'moments' as the crowd sing on and on and on well until Tom Clarke rejoins them to finish the song! For the encore there's another surprise, a cover of The Jam's 'In the city' which is actually pretty good and they put a nice bit of their own stamp on it. The encore and the gig ends in some style too as bassist Andy launches himself right into the crowd, he bobs around for what seems to be an age before finding his way back onstage to join the rest of the group to wave a fond farewell. Verdict: A class performance with a following for which the phrase 'Up for it' was well and truly invented. There must have been about a grand's worth of beer flying about, along with a mobile phone (which bounces off one of the disco balls), an umbrella and at least two coats! The gig could have been a bit longer truth be told but better to burn candle twice as bright rather than twice as long and by god they shine damn bright!
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 10
Ability - 8
Effort - 9
The Enemy value for money - 9
(November 2009)
Puressence
Venue: Sheffield 02 Academy 2. Smaller venue attached to the mega Academy building; it's a nice size without been the most exciting of places. That said the sound is usually spot on which is all-important for a band like Puressence. Its not exactly rammed to the gills but about two thirds full and there's plenty of dedicated souls parked by the barriers early doors. Support: Section 60 are on as we wander up the steps into the venue, to the bar in fact! Fortunately due to the nature of the venue there's a decent view from the bar too and they seem to be doing alright. They look mainly like they've been round the block, whilst in the process listening to the likes of Weller, Oasis and The Charlatans in the process. Despite the heat inside the venue they insist on been decked out in coats, well you've gotta look the part haven't you! They're not the most original but good stuff all the same and they get a fair reception as they exit stage right. The Band: The story of Puressence seems to have loads of downs with a few ups thrown in there in the last nigh on two decades of service. They predate the likes of Elbow and Doves and knocked out a few albums on Island Records along the way too. The rest of their career is a bit hazy especially the reason why they are big in Greece (we kid you not, they have Greek dates planned after this UK jaunt in fact). They are out and about at the moment plugging some kind of best of but not compilation. Anyway on they plod, no spring chickens but fortunately not looking like a bunch of accountants neither and their first three songs showcase why Puressence are one of the most criminally underrated bands Manchester has ever produced and just why they still possess such a dedicated core fanbase. They kick off with a huge 'near distance' then kick out an absolutely monstrous 'I suppose' which is a blinding mix of atmospheric guitars and killer vocals. In fact their frontman is up and in the faces of the crowd straight from the off which is positively encouraged by those by the barriers. A buzzing, beats infused 'Walking dead' follows and proves they have plenty of additional dimensions to their music. They never let up neither, the bar is set pretty high and stay up there around it all evening as they roll back the years. The vocals are positively unique on the indie circuit, blooming powerful to the point of ear splitting but have a soft, almost feminine quality. For a four piece they really do crank up the sound, not in some crummy rawk way but more bone crunching, teeth shaking epic way. The words 'indie anthem' could have been tailor made for this lot so why aren't they up their sharing the awards and accolades with the likes of Doves and Elbow then? Anyone who witnesses their awesome 'India' would be asking that very question over and over again. They perform a one-track only encore in a fog of dry ice and guitars, atmosphere to burn. Verdict: The faithful are happy, mainly heading back over the Pennines still pondering that 'why are Puressence a bigger band' question. We don't have that answer but it doesn't distract from a cracking performance and the fact its in such an intimate venue is to our selfish benefit, its nice to be so close to such a great band.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability- 9
Effort - 8
Puressence value for money - 8
(November 2009)
Reverend and the Makers
Venue: Leeds Stylus. Wow, how this has changed, the Stylus is basically the student union at Leeds University and the last time we were here it was the old lower refectory venue which to be fair was a bit crap and a tad grim. Now it's a brand spanking new venue designed especially for the purpose of gigs & clubs. Its split over a number of levels which a decent 'dance floor' and really high stage which all in all gives great views to all concerned. Decent crowd in too. Support: Yves Klein Blue seem to want to cover all bases, from having a frontman who looks like a fifties throwback to sounds a tad new wave to doing a Bruce Springsteen cover! In fact the last tune in their set seems to include every musical reference point (aside from techno) from the past about forty years and thrown together and whacked out in blusterous fashion. The Band: 'Right anyone who wants it, down here now' this is the Rev in typically bullish mood as he kicks off with recent single 'Silence is talking' as indeed plenty take up his offer and get down the front. They are further rewarded with the title track 'State of things' from their debut album and then comes the highlight from that long player, 'Heavyweight champion of the world'. As ever it's hard not to get into the spirit, it's a storming track and blasted out in its usual high-octane manner. What a trio to start with and proves Reverend and the Makers can't half cut the mustard live; this is what they do best. Jon aka Reverend is in top form, plenty of his usual rants and he tries at times to up the ante by suggesting they are better than the previous gigs crowd, his home town Sheffield crowd, that's some boast. There's plenty for fans new and old, huge chunks of the second album is played and there's choice cuts from 'state of things' too. The only real downside is a mid set malaise in which McClure is on stage with an acoustic guitar, should really save it for the streets as it not what they do best in a hot sweaty venue. Stuff like 'Miss Brown' is what they do best, bags of dancing along, that's what the crowd really want. Then they are treated to 'He said he loved me' with it's cheesy boy / girl vocal combo and singalong melodies, excellent stuff. Obviously after an encore McClure does the trick of 'You and me… outside now' by the time the crowd channels out he's already outside with that acoustic guitar doing what it's for. There's plenty joining him, shame most of them can't keep their flaming gobs shut long enough to actually listen. Shame, as he finishes with a spot of Beatles his solo acoustic gigs outside in the cool fall air are a sight to behold which makes Reverend and the Makers pretty much unique. Verdict: Another high octane Reverend and the Makers gig which is hot and sweaty with a nice cool down intimate acoustic gig after hours to boot, nice.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 7
Ability - 7
Effort - 8
Reverend and the Makers value for money - 7
(October 2009)
Idlewild
Venue: Nottingham Rescue Rooms. One of fav East Midland venue this, not too small but not too big neither and it's rammed to the gills tonight for the return of Scotland's favourite vagabond sons. Support: It's a bit of a dash into the venue to bounce over the barriers to take the pics of Idlewild so the support band are well and truly long go by this time. The Band: They arrive on stage looking like, well to a certain extent tramps! Roddy is spotting a class beard and one of the guitarists is sporting a 'You are here' T shirt with more holes than shirt, the drummer looks like he's made the effort mind! Never mind the appearance it's the music that makes Idlewild special live and after a minor effects pedal glitch they are off and running with 'City Hall' off the new album and the start of a mammoth 23 song setlist! They are in good form after a near miss last night in Manchester where they had to borrow the supports equipment after getting stranded on the motorway and nearly missing the gig, nothing like that here and Roddy is in a relaxed and chatty mood. In fact in-between songs he even has time to listen to a conversation in the crowd, lively and loud bunch in Nottingham obviously. Roddy and co enjoy airing much of the new album and it has to be said that the final song in the main set of 'Post-Electric' is absolutely awesome and the crowds reaction is good but as you'd expect the bar is raised off stage for some of the older stuff. There's some special moments during the likes of 'When I argue I see shapes', the fantastic 'You held the world in your arms' and 'Roseability' which just keeps sounding better and better. On record Idlewild mix the genres of folk, indie and rock but live they go into overdrive and the twin guitarists look like they both have just jumped ship from full on rock bands. Take encore finale 'In remote part' starts all mellow and folky and ends up a hardcore guitar frenzy, excellent! Verdict: It's a stella performance, an hour and a half on stage and never a dull moment. A vast and varied setlist from their career with a good crowd who are up for a bit of singing along to boot. Good to see the new 'Post Electric Blues' stuff isn't overlooked and sounds as good as they intended it to be when the wrote it with the live circuit in mind. Cracking gig by a band who show no signs of taking their feet of the live overdrive pedals.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability - 8
Effort - 9
Idlewild value for money - 9 (how many tracks per gig can you handle!)
(October 2009)
The Boxer Rebellion
Venue: Leeds Faversham. Despite this being a mainstay of the Leeds student gig scene for donkey's years this bizarrely enough is our first visit to the Faversham. Shame on us too for ignoring it for venues such as the Uni or more usually the Cockpit. It's a bit of a gem, nice size but still intimate, cool décor but not trying too hard, it's got it all just about bang on. Support: The Molotovs have been following the Boxers transit throughout so they know the score and we're looking for an explosive performance tonight. It doesn't get off to much of a runner though due to the dreaded 'technical hitches' and they seem to be a bit cramped on the small Faversham stage with the 'brass section' looking like he's gonna get pushed off stage left by the tallest keyboardist in the world! Once they get going they are pleasant enough, sounding a tad like the British Killers, looking like them as well with the collection of moustaches amassed on stage. Musically then take The Killers as your starting point and add a dash of Arcade Fire and you won't be too far from the truth. Nice but it isn't much of a riot. The Band: It's a decent turn out for the bubbling under Boxers' plus it's a real weird mix too. There's ale'd up footie boys, students up for a night out through to ultra devotees too and for good measure there's no 'ring of shame' round the stage, fans are right down the front ready and willing. To be fair the Boxers' aren't going to disappoint and soon as they are into their rhythm the dancing is cued up, slowly from the off but builds up to a nice little frenzy late on. They stoke up the atmosphere with 'The walls are thin' before hopping back to debut 'Exits' for a well received 'Flight'. It's a very clever mix of tracks from both albums, they take the pick of their debut and this years 'Union', although they don't play 'Spitting fire' which is requested throughout, they even joke 'you get what you are given' after another shout for it! They even manage to drop in a new tune too, 'Both sides are even' which is introduced as a song to get nice and 'close' to! There's something beautifully dark and powerful about The Boxer Rebellion, bags of atmosphere, sensationally layered guitars and all backed by a big, big drum sound. They can look like an odd combination on stage; suave and cool bassist, big haired guitarist, animal style drumming and a tiny framed singer whose huge vocals don't look as though they come from his slight frame. 'Forces' is well received and 'Semi-Automatic' has that excellent textured guitar sound. They end their 'set' with two blasts back to back from 'Exits' with 'The New Heavy' followed by an absolutely hellfire 'Watermelon' which gets the front section of the crowd truly bouncing. They decide against trying to head back to the dressing room between main set and encore due to the fact they'd have to walk straight through the middle of the crowd! Instead they plough on, ignoring more requests for 'Spitting Fire' they despatch a mesmerising 'All you do is talk' before ending with the downbeat but epic 'Silent Movie'. Verdict: A great performance despite the vocals straining a little bit too hard and missing those top notes at times as they come to the end of their British tour, still appreciated by those present and a great warm up for the tour finale back in London town the following evening.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability - 9
Effort - 8
The Boxer Rebellion value for money - 8
(October 2009)
Sine FM Launch Party
Venue: Doncaster Market Place. Once ignored but Doncaster' famous Market Place is now firmly on the gig map, it was once the preserve of Doncaster Live but it's now hosted numerous gigs this year which is great. The Corn Exchange building makes a fantastic backdrop and the numerous bars nearby means there plenty of 'facilities' on tap. It's a neat little stage, not as big as that used by Doncaster Live but the sound system is spot on which is the main thing. They've roped in some of Doncaster's best bands and some sort of knock off U2 for good measure too. So everything is in place for a great night then, well unfortunately in great Doncaster tradition the budget seems to have been blown on the infrastructure so there's about a tenner left for promotion, so once again the turn out is pretty poor. Bit of a shame really as it's a free gig so there's no reason not to pop on by.
The Bands: Despite seeing some blokes who look like builders soundchecking we manage to miss the first band on, well to be fair a beer was calling! We are back out in time to see Ross Cameron and the horsemen. Ross has moved away from the indie glamour of The Alyscamps to a more understated sound. The Horsemen are a bit of a misnomer as it's just him, an acoustic guitar and a drummer. Although Ross was a star in his previous band, his vocals are actually well suited to this new direction. It may be low key and buzzing around the folky / alt country sounds but it's still endearing stuff. On a fashion note it's good to see he reverses his jacket to ensure there is no clash with Doya of The Beaus, now that would have been a disaster!
Darren Bell is well respected on the Doncaster scene as one of the regions finest solo singer song writers and tonight's performance will only enhance his reputation further. It takes some nerve to get up on a big stage with just an acoustic guitar for company but that's Darren, ultra confident on stage and with good reason. He's quite clever too, a track or two up tempo with guitar slapping and a delay to his vocals meaning he actually sings his own backing vox, very neat. So he mixes a bit of up tempo stuff in along side the more measured, traditional art of the singer song writer. The more we hear Darren Bell the more he reminds us of our fav manc Lee Griffiths, again in our eyes there's no better compliment. He even does Griffo's trick of managing to chastise the sections of the crowd who are more intent on chatting than listening, that we like!
Slash Bikini are a convential proposition, the usual four piece combination of vocals, drums, guitars and bass. The music is technically pretty good but they lack that certain element to make them stand out from the pack. They do make us laugh though as they quip it's nice to support U2.
The heat gets turned up as The Beaus hit the Sine FM stage. They weigh in as a three piece with Doya sharing guitars and vocals, Mitch is the beast with the beats on sticks and Danny cool and calculated on the bass. They are really starting to sound like a decent unit, not in a 'tight' pub circuit band sense neither, plus as ever they look like proper stars dripping cool in front of the stately Corn Exchange façade. Musically they remind of The Clash, not that they actually sound that much like them but in the way they can mix musical styles into their direct indie guitar sound, which is why it says indie / soul / punk on their myspace page. Another class performance from Doncaster's brightest young stars, bring on that next single.
The 'headliners' are U2-2 or something like that but as previously stated we saw the band sound checking before the gig got going and to be fair the singer looked nowt like Bono (although that's probably lucky for him!) and also sounded ropey as hell. But 'Bono' has a set of sunglasses and a daft hat so he's up for it and 'The Edge' looks actually like actual Edge, the other two, well nobody cares about them anyway so as long as they have the correct amount of arms and legs they're good to go… and that's what we do as they walk on stage we bugger off! Not even the real U2 could top The Beaus so we don't bother waiting around in the now cold Autumn air to find out; Cameron, Bell and Beaus have done the business so it's job done for us and there's a few stella's with our name on them waiting, good stuff.
Doncaster Live 2009
Now we've been a big supporter of the free Doncaster festival for many a year and think it's a brilliant idea but to be honest we feel it's hit a bit of a crossroads, the 2009 line up is possibly the weakest for the last few years, last year The Levellers headlined Saturday night with The Rascals, Elliott Minor and Tiny Dancers with the Sunday given aside just for Doncaster's finest. However, this year the main day was shunted onto the Sunday and it appeared that although the piss poor website (more of which later) was advertising 25th & 26th July nothing actually happened on the Saturday. On the Sunday the line up was to be Girl Spit, Liam and the triumphs, in fear of olive, Eureka Machines, Will and the people, The Yeah You's, Go Audio and headliners The Magic Numbers. That's hardly the most illustrious line up especially with the Tramlines festival not 20 miles away in Sheffield boasting Reverend and The Makers as their Sunday night headliners plus absolutely loads of stuff across multiple venues for the whole weekend.
Now we have to say the infrastructure for Doncaster Live is damn well spot on, plus to be fair the additions year on year have greatly improved the event. The location is really good, the stage is spot on and the big screen adds that extra professional look to proceedings. This year the introduction of dedicated bar is a brilliant addition to the established boozers situated in the Market Place and the fun fair is an expectation of the current festival goer so thumbs up on that too.
So where do things starting going wrong then? Well the booking of bands is the first bug bear, there doesn't seem to be a consistent policy of what they are trying to achieve here, it's just a bit of 'cover all bases' with obviously cheap bands to book. Now we know that money is an issue; it's free, without a major sponsor and goes cap in hand to the local authority for funding but even so would they be better going hell for leather for a decent headliner then filling the bill with the cream of local talent especially as it's slimmed down to just the one day? Then you have got to look at similar events across the north, take the aforementioned Tramlines, Middlesbrough Music Live and even an event in Stockton on Tees where they get the whole local musical community involved with loads of gigs across loads of different venues. In fact lets use Middlesbrough as a prime example, they have the open air stage but use all available venues to pack the town with punters and bands for the full day. They also have one of the best booking agents in the business, a real eye for a band just about to break plus getting loads of local bands into the act too. We believe this kind of event goes by the name 'joined up' where the whole town is involved, lets face it Doncaster has currently the best set of venues well ever really, surely instead of The Priory, Vintage Rockbar putting their own 'alternative' events on they should be encompassed by Doncaster Live and promoted with it.
This brings us onto the promotion of the event which is nothing short of scandalous, there's a website which has jack on it and the line up is only published about a week before which is a joke. There is a bit of promo in the local papers but that's it. Now take Tramlines, it's on local Tv for god's sake plus a decent website and national coverage via stuff like NME etc. If you look across into West Yorkshire and the fabulous (but bigger budget, as they charge) Bingley Music Live, they have a good website with plenty of info on who is playing (plus history of the event & previous bands to feature) but they have also announced who is playing in July for a festival in September.. advance notice people! If the Doncaster Live website is up all year round get some pics on there (there were 7 people covering the event and the pics are all over the internet on bands websites, myspace etc) and make sure if the event continues into 2010 there's more band info, event info and it's done a hell of a lot quicker.
Now, I must stress I'm not saying I could do better and I'm fully aware of just how much hard graft goes into an event like this and how difficult it must be to juggle what must be a small and really tight budget. So for the record I'd like to say well done to Heather and all those concerned for getting it off the ground in the first place and keeping it going over the years. I do however stand by the points raised above and hope that the event continues next year except encompasses all that's great about the Doncaster scene and the people behind it. So fingers crossed for a multi venue Doncaster Live 2010 featuring a shit hot headliner, some quality up and coming talent plus the cream of Doncaster's bands. It might sound a pipe dream but by getting everyone involved god only knows what can be achieved, reach for the sky and you might just catch a piece!
Anyway less of the future and back to 2009 and what went down, well plenty of rain.. again. Unfortunately it seems that mother nature always gives a big two fingers to Doncaster Live and this year is no exception with at times torrential rain blighting proceedings. The numbers are down on last year too, that could have something to do with the god awful weather, the fact it's a Sunday or the line up or even a combination of all three.
Anyway there's still a good turn out when The Yeah You's take the stage and plenty of young, female fans giving their vocal support. The singer has some charisma and a bit of a look of a young (but better looking) Rick Witter however the rest of the band look of an age they have done this before and should know better. The Yeah You's really don't appear to be much of anything really, watered down radio friendly guitar pop shandy. Then the do a really surreal cover of Duran Duran's 'Ordinary World'… why?? I'm not sure it's really target audience nor is it that good a cover neither, proper weird. That said those clinging to the barriers at the very front of the crowd seem to enjoy it so they can't be the devil incarnate can they?!
Blimey it's over to Go Audio to get cracking and raise the bar then and right from the off they do just that. They look the part, energetic frontman who is somewhat easy on the eye but knows a tune or two and a brilliantly dipsy looking keyboardist who is wearing flip flops of all things! The musical path is well trodden but when indie guitar pop rock is done right and with some verve you can't beat it and Go Audio are up there with the best of the genre. They play with energy and real conviction plus they have a damn fine arsenal of tunes too. The weather hasn't perked up none but Go Audio really heat up the stage and the crowd are well up for it, in fact too up for it in some cases which actually ends up with some police intervention which leads the band to comment on how it ain't everyday they get the cops watching their gigs! Great stuff which is a top fillip for the headline act.
Tonight The Magic Numbers walk the stage ramp trodden previously by The Bluetones, Wedding Present and last year The Levellers. Unfortunately for them the weather takes another turn for the worse and by the looks of it the younger fans here for The Yeah You's and / or Go Audio have already exited stage left, still there's a hardy bunch left out in the rain. The last time we witnessed The Magic Numbers were likened them to a Lincolnshire family outing which to this day remains our favourite shadders quote (which is why it's been used again) and they don't seem to have changed none in the intervening years, still beards aplenty (we'll refrain from the obvious 'and that's just the girls' gag). In fact they seem to have been away from quite a while so it's good to know that there's still life in the old dogs. They try to lift the crowd but their brand of melody based indie pop doesn't really lend itself for a rousing sing song, it's more laid back and relaxing and more in keeping with a pleasant summers evening and a cold beverage! So for the vast portion of their set the crowd really isn't lit up but there's still a few highpoints, no great surprise that they are both from their highly successful and acclaimed debut long player. 'Forever Lost' is a fine tune but when the ante is upped and the tempo flowing (like the rain) 'Love me like you' still remains a pop classic. There's still some good new tunes aired which suggests The Magic Numbers can continue along nicely, away from the pop fashion and in their own way. Not the most exciting of sets but solid enough and so ends another year of Doncaster Live, here's to 2010!
Athlete
Venue: Leeds Cockpit. This mammoth pre album warm up tour of smaller venues hits the famous Cockpit. No surprise it's in the big room and due to the size of the place also no surprise that it's pretty damn packed. Support: Athlete's normal sparring partner Iain Archer is joined by Official Secrets Act. The Band: So you'd expect on a pre album tour there'll be plenty of new material aired and indeed they start with 'Superhuman Touch' which shows Athlete aren't going on some new 'direction' and promises plenty of encourage for the fans. Talking of fans, they are plenty happy at the amount of classics that the set is laced with. Only one is culled from previous outing, the luke warmly received third album 'Beyond the neighbourhood' and that's the rather fine 'Hurricane' which would grace any greatest hits album, shame 'Toyko' is deleted from the set list of early tour shows. Anyway what you do get is some splendid slices of pure guitar pop including the likes of 'You got the style' and 'El Salvador' which go down very nicely indeed. Joel is in fine fettle all evening and enjoys a joke and some banter with the crowd and one chap inparticular. This guy advises Joel he's forgotten the lyrics, the leadman comically replies that this is fine cause he can remember them! He then stops 'Westside' midway as the same bloke gets the key phrase 'chorus' wrong, he rightly shames him then share a joke before restarting and the entire place becomes one big karioke! Joel is in such a corking mood he ends up during the meltdown of 'One Million' he ends up dancing on the speaker stacks, bad dancing yes but dancing on the speakers nonetheless, he then finishes by joining the stand in bassist on the drums whilst the drummer plays guitars, who says Athlete can't rock out. Still it's great pop that Athlete excel at whilst newie 'The Getaway' points towards a bigger stadia pop sound. As all good bands do they save the best to last, well that's after Joel gets called a liar for coming back on stage for the encore, Joel wanders over to the edge of the stage looking a tad concerned then laughs that he's a liar ever night! Anyway the end of champion night of pop is the sublime, 'Wires'. It's such a fantastic song, it balances great pop with catchy lyrics which if you delve deeper is such a personal and moving song, that's why Joel sings it virtually eyes closed throughout. Apart from coming back on stage and doing the chorus with just an acoustic guitar to the entire venue singing it back word for word which is an amazing spectacle and not one lost on the band who leave by saying some heartfelt thanks. Verdict: A lesson on how to do indie pop with a great mix of promising new tracks and absolute classics. A night to remember.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability - 9
Effort - 9
Athlete value for money - 9
(July 2009)
Kasabian
Venue: Sheffield 02 Academy. It's now been open a year and in that time has become the number one venue in the steel city. This little beauty has been sold out for yonks so it's party time for the touts out on the street. Support: The Hours. Just one support tonight but it's pretty damn special plus it's a homecoming of kinds for Anthony Genn, lead singer and half of The Hours dynamic song writing partnership. In fact we bump into wondering around outside the box office with about half an hour before they are due on, he appears a tad nervous but looking forward to his debut at the 'top rank' (to those who are unaware one of the many previous names of this former club). The next time we see Genn his is joining his band mates on stage with nerves long since gone as they blast through choice cuts from the pair of their albums. They start with 'Love is an action' from latest class release 'See the light' and they mean business from the onset, it appears you get it both barrels with The Hours live, no half measures here. They don't let up neither, 'Ali in the Jungle' gets its usual hellish run through and Ant does his normal rant prior to 'People say'. This is all the more pertinent by the very surrounding that inspired the bile soaked lyrics. The end on another high as 'Murder or suicide' finishes off a killer eight track set. Bizarrely we bump into Anthony minutes later by the bar, he appears reasonable pleased, some got it and some didn't he says, well lets put it this way… we got it, big time! The Band: Riding high after a highly successful Glasto performance and announcement of their fresh arena dates there is an anticipation in a packed, hot and sweaty Academy of something special tonight. And there's going to be no disappointment tonight, clearly evident from the outset Kasabian are here to impress and rock out, good style. Tom and Serge's attire may be a tad more subdued than their Glasto outfits but they are still in mammoth form. Tom is the consummate frontman; the looks, hair and attitude to burn, he simply owns the stage. Any lingering doubts about the ability to jump up to the arena circuit can be dispelled as they burn up the Academy and it ain't exactly shy in size neither. They may well as expected concentrate on that third album but 'Fire' with it's blatant Doors undercurrent receives one of the best crowd reactions of the evening. They still manage to fit in plenty from the back catalogue, the awesome booming 'Shoot the runner' and a cracking choice of 'The Doberman' are both lifted from 'Empire'. Flipping back to Tom and Serge, they obviously are the focus of attention but plaudits must be given to Christopher Edwards, he may be introverted on stage but his epic bass lays the very foundations that gives the Kasabian sound real force. Talking of force you have only got to mention the last songs in the main set and the glorious encore to prove just how good Kasbian are live. They finish the set with a booming 'Club Foot' which is a beast live, all big beats and bass plus a great singalong too! Then to finish off the entertainment you've got the surreal marrying 'You got the love' morphing and mutating into 'KSF' completely surreal but magic nonetheless and the roof nearly comes off! Verdict: What an epic night, The Hours prove again that age is no barrier to big and thought provoking indie guitars and then Kasabian, they are the bastard airs to the Oasis live crown. Watch out Sheffield Arena Kasabian are coming ready and will plenty of willing fans ready for more of this.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability - 9
Effort - 9
Kasabian value for money - 9
(June 2009)
Twisted Wheel
Venue: Sheffield Leadmill. Just a few days after our last jaunt across the M18 to Sheffield's finest we are back and again relegated into the bar for some Steel Stage action. After their jaunt round with the Oasis brothers (including a trip to the nearby Arena) there's plenty in, just a shame it's not in the 'big room'. Support: Detroit Social Club have actually brought a few fans of their own and so they should as they've been here under their own steam before. They crowd the stage with their brand of indie folk rock and plenty of hair and a good deal of energy. It's pretty encouraging stuff and the highlight a bountiful dash through 'Sunshine People' has plenty of feet shuffling about. Good stuff. The Band: Just think about the first time you heard The Clash or The Jam, in fact the first time you saw Oasis well now then add Twisted Wheel onto the list too. When the three piece take to the small stage there's already a buzz of anticipation especially as a dozen or so have already checked out the set lists to huge smiles. As soon as Jonny hit's the first notes it's obvious that it's gonna be something special, Twisted Wheel manage to take all the obvious influences kick the shit out of them and then blast them out with almighty venom, the energy is mind blowing. By the time they get to 'You stole the sun' there's already dancing aplenty but once they hammer out the intro the place goes literally mental with punters all over the place, in fact the band and crowd are as one and that don't happen very often. For the rest of the set it's more of the same and it's an example of how to hold a crowd just by having the tunes and the know how to bang them out with style. They leave to a heroes exit, no encore but none is needed they have done the business and as they crowd file back into the main room and out into the evening rain they know they've been well and truly treated. Verdict: Fucking awesome stuff, haven't seen the place buzzing like this for some time and Twisted Wheel don't disappoint neither. Power, pace, energy and tunes to burn Twisted Wheel are the perfect live package and are the real deal in the intimate surroundings of the steel stage. If there's any justice with performances like this Twisted Wheel will be massive.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 9
Ability - 8
Effort - 10
Twisted Wheel value for money - 9
(May 2009)
The Hours
Venue: Sheffield Leadmill. As ever the lure of The Leadmil prevails over any other northern venue. Unfortunately it's in the small room, badged as the Steel Stage for gigs, that said there's plenty in and it does make for a decent intimate affair. Support: Due to a door 'malfunction' we only get in minutes before Genn, Slattery and co actually hit the stage so the support is a definite no no. For the record they may or may not have been called Glasslights! The Band: This is a homecoming of sorts for The Hours as Anthony Genn, chief vocalist and co writer is from Sheffield (the southern side - see 'People say'!) although in the lyrics of The Hours he is pretty dismissive of the city that raised him and of the whole northern mentality. Still he's got plenty of family and friends to roar him on and he laps up the attention. With a new album in store now you'd kind of expect that the set would be weighed in 'See the lights' favour but no, it's pretty much a 50 / 50 split which means the choicest cuts from 'Narcissus Road' are on offer too. Indeed after warming up with 'These Days' they give 'Icarus' with its dark lyrics a damn good run through, the devil may have all the tunes indeed! It's fair eclipsed by a rousing rendition of the banging 'Narcissus Road'. As ever 'Ali in the jungle' sandwiched midset is a beast live but it's brought back down to earth by a beautifully stripped back 'Big Black Hole', which appears on 'See the lights' in some style. It comes as a bit of a surprise as the album version is stunning but this back to basics version has a more subtle feel. By this time the truly anthemic 'Car crash' has been aired, it mixes the brittle, subtle sound with big indie rock blasts, nice. Despite The Hour appear to have increased in number its still Genn and Slattery who catch the eye. Genn controls the stage and Slattery is like a possessed beast bouncing around on the piano, at times he looks like Animal (minus the drum kit obviously) and have you ever seen so many effects pedals for a piano! Genn, is on fine form, his banter consists everything from telling everyone to tell one more person about The Hours as 'it's damn hard' to swearing at the crowd over some clapping instructions for a bit of song participation! After another new anthem, the vocal and piano heavy 'Think again' they leave the stage after two blinders from their debut. The damning 'People say' as ever ends in a vitriol fuelled fuck frenzy and the pace is keep up with a impressive 'Murder or Suicide'. Slattery's piano really to the fore with guitars and drums struggling to keep up and lyrics as dark as you like. Then they are gone. Verdict: But not for long, their encore sums The Hours right up. 'Back when you were good' with its almost classical, booming feel lead by Slattery's piano once more with some of indieland's finest bittersweet lyrics. But the masterstroke is to finest with the highlight of the new album, namesake 'See the lights'. Epic is an oft overworked word but not in this case, it doesn't get much more beautiful and powerful as this. Stunning.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 8
Ability - 9
Effort - 9
The Hours value for money - 9
(May 2009)
The Maccabees
Venue: Sheffield Plug. It's a bit of a spin this one, we've been here before but only in one of its previous incarnations and it's a pretty impressive now. Big, plenty of space and the huge high stage give everyone a blinding view. Looks the part too with full length cool bar and the place is rammed to the rafters. Support: No idea we're in purely for The Maccabees who are on pretty early, but there again there is a club straight after so no surprises why the early finish. The Band: It starts off in pretty disastrous circumstances as when they take the stage nothing seems to work! They mooch about for a bit before heralding a second incident free start. Fortunately it's second time lucky as they blow through newie 'No Kind words' and classic 'X-ray' early doors. 'No Kind words' has echoes of their debut's formula; short, poppy and punchy but adds a kinda dark sinister undertone. After the stalled start it isn't long before both Maccabees and fans are into their stride with a real buzz bounding round the Plug. They are in fine fettle as they treat everyone to a clever mix of new, mainly unheard tracks and the picks of 'Colour it in'. Their angular indie pop seems to be a bastardised mix of Maximo Park, Razorlight with a bit of Penate and even the Smiths thrown in too but it really strikes a chord tonight. The likes of 'Precious Time' has the place in uproar, in fact during the evening Orlando Weeks (still not sure that's the singers actual name but it says so on their myspace page!) asks for the house lights to be put up so he can see the response in all it's glory. The band seem genuinely thankful for the crowds joyful response after all this is supposed to be a tricky time for a band, coming back after a successful debut but there's no worries on that score, the Plug lap it up. None more so than 'First Love' which prompts a thunderous reception and heralds the lads back on stage for a couple more including finishing on another high with their next single. Verdict: Spellbinding; the energy, vibe and enjoyment from crowd through to stage and back is a joy to behold. A triumphant return to the indie fold.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 10
Ability - 8
Effort - 9
The Maccabees value for money - 9
(March 2009)
The Boxer Rebellion
Venue: Nottingham Rescue Rooms. Great little venue this, just round the corner from the mighty Rock City but with a whole unique vibe of its own. Support: Probably some local band whose name escapes us! They have a singer who has far too much enthusiasm for his own good which fails to engage the relatively small crowd. Pretty average fare and distinctly forgettable. The Band: Turns out that despite good crowds during the rest of their jaunt it's only really just over half full when The Boxers come on, this is unfortunately a by product of actually being so close to the Rock City where Pete Doherty is playing. It doesn't really phase the band too much, after all during their career they've had bigger knocks that this but it does steal us of a really 'great' performance which a full house is usually contusive to. As you'd expect they concentrate on playing the majority of 'Union' which is doing cracking business in cyberspace despite only been available in CD format at gigs (plenty shifted after the gig it has to be said!). That said they do manage a to fit in some choice cut's from debut 'Exits' including a blinding 'All you do is talk' but to many fans disappointment there's no appearance of 'Flight' on the set list. Finishing with 'Watermelon' is a masterstroke too, it's one of the highlights of 'Exits' and still sounds as menacing as ever. There's even plenty of movement in the crowd too! The new material has a similar feel to it, take opener 'Semi Automatic', still dark and broody with plenty of guitars. But there's also a bit of a shoegazy feel too, more in the layers of sound and guitars plus check out the multi drum magnificence of 'Flashing red light'! Verdict: Whilst it's not a perfect night, Pete Doherty's theft of half the crowd puts paid to that but still The Boxer Rebellion still show there's plenty in the locker, technically there's not a note out of place but they do look like there's a couple more gears to go through. Given the upturn in their current fortunes they'll be bigger and better nights than this and what's more most of those who have turned out tonight will be ready and waiting for them.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 5
Ability - 10
Effort - 7
The Boxer Rebellion value for money - 7
(March 2009)
Post War Years
Venue: Leeds Cockpit 3. Now this is a bit of a winner, despite seeing tons of gig at the Cockpit over the years and enjoying the odd pint in the bar we never knew there was a 'secret' upstairs mini venue that goes by the name Cockpit 3. Those unfamiliar with the excellent Leeds venue will need to know that it's situated in the arches under the cities train station. This snug venue is right in the arch which means you can nearly touch the trains! Support: Well actually it's a three band Chess Records rotating line up with James Yuill and Wave Machines the other bands in question. The Cockpit has advertised the gig as a headline from Yuill, which obviously means he's on first! Whilst mucking around on the interweb we come across a review of James Yuill which described him as 'folktronica' which may sound a bit weird but actually quite accurate. He's very much a one-man band; just him, a guitar, an ibook and some neat electronic gadgets on stage. One way when he's got his guitar in hand he is very much of the nu-alt country vibe, similar in kind to Sam Isaac but then when the electro noodlings and beats are in full effect he borders on dance floor filler. When he's in-between the two or indeed mixing the two up he's at his most engaging best. To say he's on his own up there he's actually a decent watch and pretty endearing and weighs in with a performance that could easy merit that headline slot, there's people dancing too which is a damn fine start. The Band: Post War Years also get people dancing as they follow Yuill to a similarly packed arch however the stage is a little fuller now. The four-piece fill the stage and their sound fills the venue too with a far 'bigger' sound that Yuill can muster. They are indie of which there is no doubt but have that current cool electro art pop sound with echoes of Bowie and Roxy Music plus current beau's Friendly Fires. There's plenty of energy, especially from the drummer who appears to have taken Keith Moon and Animal from The Muppets as perfect role models, so active is he that mid set he has a nose bleed. The keyboardist issues a plea for some tissue but declines some that looks a little on the used side, he then goes on to explain that used tissue is never a good idea especially from blokes! Despite the incessant merch plugging they manage to knock out a pretty hot set with angular beats and all single 'Whole world on it's head' taking much of the plaudits. Another fine performance that means tonight's 'headliners' have plenty to live up to. Headliners: Unfortunately Wave Machines aren't really up to the job. Despite their obvious love of bad jumpers and 'crazy' masks (which do indeed look like they are actually of themselves) they have the most obvious sound and lack of musical ideas. On a normal night they may not sound half bad but when following Yuill and Post War Years they just don't cut the mustard, shame that. Verdict: Two out of three ain't bad! James Yuill was a real pleasant surprise, a man with a vibe and beats all of his own, bit special that lad. Post War Years have the look plus the sound to back them up with both easily well capable of stepping up to the headline plate with ease. Wave Machines however struggled with responsibility and failed to end the evening with the bang it deserved.
Shadders scorelines
Whole Gig Atmosphere - 8
Post War Years Ability - 8
Post War Years Effort - 8
Whole Gig value for money - 8
(February 2009)
Late of the Pier
Venue: Sheffield Leadmill. Despite the increased competition from the Academy across the city this has still to be the number one live and club venue, unfortunately doesn't have the same number of gigs it used to have. That said there's plenty in a looks like a young lively crowd with over reacting 'guards' keeping all those without legit id well away from the bar! Support: Micahu, a rather left field three piece hailing from the big smoke who claim to be pop, pop, pop! Well they are unusual pop if they are that, don't expect any Britney Spears influences lets put it that way. As you'd probably expect for this support slot there's an electro edge and they seem to keep the masses entertained whilst they keep one eye on their watches eagerly awaiting Late of the Pier. The Band: Well as soon as they walk on stage it's like the blue touch paper has been lit and the place literally goes off. LOTP take this as a great lead and it's given back with both barrels, it's a sweaty affair all around with plenty of old school stage surfing and the stage security have a busy old evening. Despite claims that their gigs are sedate, Late of the Pier are anything but plenty of jumping around, instrument changes and general on stage malarkey! It's hard to pin down LOTP musically as they are musically as much all over the place as their stage set, that isn't a criticism but they tend not to have one 'sound'. Fair play the Klaxons comparisons but to be fair they eclipse them with some ease, there's loads of keys and electro noodlings , guitar frenzy and even glimpses of baggy on speed. It's all going swimmingly and then the bears finally arrive…. The places goes mental and as 'The Bears are coming' goes into overdrive the singer ends up head first off the stage and into the crowd and that just about sums it all up. Verdict: Hard core fans really make this a treat although the lad in the front row continually pronouncing his love for Samuel Dust was a bit strange, especially when he requested his shoe, even weirder when Dust seemed to be singing into it minutes later! It's just another night that the Leadmill is famous for and long may they continue.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 10
Ability - 8
Effort -- 9
Late of the Pier value for money - 9
(February 2009)
Roses Kings Castles
Venue: York Fibbers. Now 100% part of the Barfly chain after founder and landlord left to set up The Duchess literally next door there's been a few subtle changes to the formula that made the Fibbers York's premier venue. The beer has changed and it feels a little bit more, hard to word this but perhaps more professional. Obviously it's still got the grim toilets but fortunately it's still plenty same enough to be the good 'old Fibbers. Support: Unfortunately we get in early enough to witness a band to claim to be called Pinhead, apparently according to the drippy singer / guitarist they played a gig in Leeds the other day and it was wank, well here's the news that about sums up their gig tonight. He spends far too much energy slagging off the crowd and not enough trying to be any good! And there's the lass who is supposed to be backing vocals but between moaning there's not enough vocals in her monitor and sticking her fingers in her ears and gurning when doing her couple of lines per song, lets face it she might as well not be there at all. The music, well I'm sure they'll describe it as 21-century fusion but most would call it rubbish. The last word goes to a member of the small hardy band watching, when the singer asks what they can do to make it more enjoyable the wag shouts fuck off and that's that really! Most of the crowd are here to see a band who have (self-confessed) a crap name, they are Swimwear Juniors. Their friends get down the front and have a bloody good time which makes it easier for the SJ's to get stuck in, they are unashamedly poptastic and the frontman has the looks to match. Perhaps could do with butching up their sound somewhat but their mates don't half have a blast! The Band: Not so much a band but just Adam Ficek (the drummer from Babyshambles if you didn't know) on his own with an acoustic guitar. He does his soundcheck actually when he gets up on stage without saying a word which is a bit surreal. When he decides to start there's not much of an introduction, just an excuse that he's got a sore throat which along with the weird soundcheck gets the alarm bells well and truly ringing. Musically Roses Kings Castles isn't a million miles away from one bloke and his guitar but there are a few times the backing strings or band are missed a bit. As expected when he plays 'Horses' and 'Broken Homes' they sound wonderfully understated glorious indie. He gets a bit of momentum going for 'Burn your town down' but he isn't going to win any prizes for energy expelled. All through the proceeding he grumbles at sections of the crowd, fair enough they are annoying but they did get the crowd down to the front rather than stood by the bar. Then he whinging that he'll have to cut the set short due to his throat, he manages to sing us an extra song but he's on for such a short space of time it makes you to wonder why bother make the long journey from London for that. Nice music just not very much of it! Verdict: Too short by half and you just get the feeling that he's just a funny bugger, his attitude and quips don't really make him particularly endearing just a bit pretentious really. It's a shame as well as his album is really good and we had expected far better than this half-arsed performance. Possibly it's an off day due to feeling crap but if he felt that bad just cancel and save those who have braved the cold and wet January evening the expense and trouble till he can give his music the performance it deserves.
Shadders scorelines
Atmosphere - 5
Ability - 7
Effort - 3
Roses Kings Castles value for money - 5
(January 2009)