Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit at the Cluny, 28/1/08

Flynn was supported by a great new local band called, Dot to Dots who set the seen for the folk driven rock of the night. Beautifully written songs with spot on harmonies between the two lead singers. Flynn himself started the evening with his successful single 'The Box' which got the crowd into the dancing mood. Pretty soon the area near the stage was transformed into what looked like the line dancing in a town hall….but they were having fun! The Sussex Wit had brought with them a huge range of instruments and they were all played perfectly, or as a woman in the audience next to me remarked, ‘ere, they aren’t ‘alf talented ain’t they?’ Flynn played everything from lead guitar and banjo to trumpet, whilst the rest of the band shifted their instruments around, from double bass, keyboards, drums, bass guitar and a flute. The tone of the night was more like a hoedown than a rock concert, with a definite folk if not country quality to the music which worked to brilliant effect with Flynn’s carefully constructed lyrics and rich vocal gravitas. All in all a great night, with a truly appreciative crowd - all obviously big fans.

Review by Jenny Carrick

Make Model at the Cluny and Uncle Monty at the Cumberland Arms

On the 24th of January Make Model was the second band to perform at the JD sessions gig held at the Cluny. This six-piece band is marked by their diversity, each member had a different way of dressing, behaving and making music. The music was good, but there were moments when the only girl in the band sang her parts a bit to high, but that might also have to do with the fact that you could easily find yourself outside the area where the sound is good. Make Model had a bit of a Spanish feel to them, they could get along well with the South American rock. They opened for Kubichek, who did not really manage to please the public. This gig was made special because Peter Hook, the legend himself, bass player of Joy Division and New Order, being present (as he was the co-hosted the concert). Apparently the first band that played at the gig the Answering Machine was the best band that played that night. I do not know about that seen that at that time I attended another gig up the road.
It is not normal to attend to two gigs at the same time during one nigh, but it is definitely something to do. At the Cumberland Arms the Newcastle Band opened for We Are The Physics, seen that the demo CD of Uncle Monty sounded good it was something that should not be missed. To my ear’s present surprise the life version of the songs sounded really good too, maybe even better, not only was I reminded of the Shins but also started thinking that something n the direction of Modest Mouse might be played next. After that I managed to catch the beginning of the set by Razmataz Lorry a member of the electro rock scene.

Reviews by Solveig Werner