Red Light Company @ The Cluny 11/03/2009

I have to admit, I made way down to The Cluny for the Red Light Company gig with a slight sense of trepidation. After all, there are only so many times you can hear their current single ‘Arts and Crafts’ being played repeatedly on the radio before you start to develop a little bit of resentment towards a band. However, I kept reminding myself that Grammatics, a new band everyone should hear, were supporting and that some of the songs from Fine Fascination, RLC’s debut album, were actually surprisingly good, so I kept the chin up and my mind open. First support The Chevrolites were an essentially standard lad-rock band of the moment but got the crowd a little excited, and main support Grammatics more than lived up to the hype, with a display that was as alternative as it was energetic, as tantalising as it was disappointing when they eventually had to leave the stage. So the scene had been set perfectly for Red Light Company to wander on and massively disappoint, and please all those kids who are so cool they hear one song and declare them the new Razorlight or U2 with a flick of the wrist and a turned up nose. But here’s the twist, they were actually pretty damn good. They prowled round The Cluny’s infamously small stage as if they were playing to Wembley, and every song was delivered with a verve and intensity that delighted the sold out venue. Crowd favourites such as ‘Scheme Eugene’ and ‘Meccano’ shook the surrounding area, and even ‘Arts and Crafts’ was given a whole new lease of life when delivered at this level. To actually appreciate Red Light Company, they have to be seen live, where a half decent album becomes anthem after pulsating anthem. Carry on this way, and they might find themselves in those stadiums after all.

Review by Rob Sellars

General Fiasco on 04/03/2009

Considering the Irish three-piece that is General Fiasco are not even signed yet and have only released two singles so far, the fact they have such an impressive turn out to their first headline tour says a lot about the hype they have received and the dedicated following they have managed to build online. While the crowd seems to average out as a) female and b) between 15 and 19 years old, we head in unperturbed, firstly because we’re one of the few actually able to get served at the bar, and secondly because the last time we saw General Fiasco live, we only caught one and a half songs and they still managed to be one of the best bands we saw at the festival we happened to be visiting. And they don’t disappoint, with every song of their set managing to build on an energy and passion that lies at the core of their brand of music. Online favourites such as ‘Ever So Shy’ and closer ‘Rebel Get By’ send the crowd into a frenzy, while current single ‘Something Sometime’ is apparently so adored you would think its top of the charts. From start to finish their intensity never dips below frantic, and the power and tightness in their live display is almost bewildering for a band so new on the circuit. The youngsters returned home more than happy, and those who have been round a bit longer left knowing they’d just seen a band destined for bigger and better things.

Review by Rob Sellars

Local Artist Profile: Beth Jeans Houghton

You must have caught her play a gig, Beth Jeans Houghton, a young Newcastle singer with a beautiful voice. Her style is the shy girl who likes long eye lashes and a lot of glitter. She has supported artists such as Mystery Jets and Woodpigeon (preformed with them not too long ago). Currently she is playing a lot of gigs in London, but will hopefully bring her stylish shyness back on the stage in Newcastle.

profile by Solveig Werner

Local Artist Profile: Little Comets

Little Comets, you must at least heard off them, lately they have been taking off massively. I guess after they supported Electric Six it all started for these Newcastle boys. Their current single, “One Night In October”, a proper dance tune gets played on MTV2 and all over the radio. On their upcoming tour they have got a Newcastle date, but you might be lucky to catch them at a houseparty.

Text and image by Solveig Werner