29th May 2010
Reviewed by Rob Sellars
Ok, consider this: you have Mystery Jets, finally making their return to the world after a short break following their second studio album, Twenty One. Then you have a multi-storey car park located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. And finally you have a load of Chevrolet’s turned on their sides in all sorts of abstract angles. This is indeed the Chevrolet Spark Unscheduled Tour, completely free and featuring the marvellous return of Mystery Jets. The idea behind the tour is to host a series of pop-up gigs around the country, where each week residents of selected cities are given the chance to vote for their city to be the next on the tour. They then get to decide where in their fair city the gig will take place, with the only pre-requisite being that it has to be out of the norm. And it is under that condition that tonight we have all landed on the top deck of Dean Street Car Park. With a small stage at one end, and the new Chevrolet Spark’s the only vehicles in sight, it almost seems regular that gigs should be taking place in car parks these days. The much appreciated free Red Stripe does its bit towards this as well of course.
A small and intimate crowd welcome out the band, who return this July with their third studio album, Serotonin, two years after Twenty-One. With single Flash A Hungry Smile being released to test the water, reactions are positive and tonight’s expectations are high. Safe to say they far from disappoint. Speaking to the band earlier in the day, guitarist William declared that their new tunes are more quintessentially Mystery Jets, suggesting that with this album they have captured their own unique sound more than ever before. And with a healthy smattering of new songs in their set, it is easy to see what they mean, as they build on the 80’s electro sound of their second album, to create something altogether more polished and epic, inherently British, but with a massive dose of Americana infusing their sound.
The set is a crowd pleasing balance between past hits, including ‘Two Doors Down’ and ‘Young Love’, fan favourites, including a staggering rendition of ‘Behind the Bunhouse’, and samples from the new album, which suggest perhaps their third release will be the one to finally propel them to the success they so evidently deserve. Gigs such as this offer the music fan a chance to experience their live music a little differently, and tonight, thanks to Mystery Jets and Chevrolet, other bands and venues alike maybe have a little catching up to do.
Showing posts with label Rob Sellars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Sellars. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Los Campesinos at Newcastle Student Union
Reviewed by Rob Sellars
There is something about Los Campesions! being in Newcastle that appears to attract trouble. Of the two times that they have played in the Union before, once there was a mass stage invasion, and the other time the band had to stop mid-song after two charming Geordies came to blows in the middle of the audience. Talking to Gareth, lead vocalist of the band, before the gig, reaffirmed the suspicion that just maybe their brand of raw indie-pop and dark edged lyrics took the Newcastle crowd to places they just weren’t used to. Thus the band and fans alike were heading into the gig with a sense of anticipation, a knowledge that something always happens when the ever growing band steps into the student’s domain. While there were no fist fights or unruly crowd activities tonight, the band still delivered as they always do, with a heavyweight package of thundering hooks, passionate vocals and true rock sensibilities.
On record Los Campesinos! are sometimes burdened with the unenviable label of being a little twee, but when it comes to their live performance, they don’t so much banish such thoughts as take their twee-pop image, thrust it through a blender then scream their lyrics back in its face. Despite earlier admitting to suffering from the rigours of a whistle stop tour, Gareth is as always determined to throw himself around every square centimetre of the venue, while flicking between vocals that are one second raucous screams and the next quiet contemplation. He is as always backed ably by a band that seem determined to cover every instrument on the planet, including new member Kim’s skills on the drone box, which for all the world I cannot figure out. Despite losing second singer Alexis to her studies, Kim steps in perfectly to the void and none of the power or charm of their earlier songs is lost, as they thunder through a set that features all their favourites as well as five new songs. One or two of the new songs still sound like they need work, but with the new album, Romance is Boring, not due till next February, this is the perfect testing ground for such experimentation. There are Listed Buildings and The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future both promise a lot for the new album and show a new found maturity in both their music and Gareth’s lyrics. From their first two albums, tracks such as We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, You! Me! Dancing! and Ways to Make it Through the Wall receive particularly frenzied responses, and closer Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks sends everyone out into the night with a heavy sweat on and a smile.
Anyone who headed to the gig expecting a flawless and refined showing and a polished vocal performance may well have been disappointed, but then to ask for such things would be to take away part of the essence of Los Campesinos, the power and passion that puts them head and shoulders above many of their peers and means they are so much more than twee.
There is something about Los Campesions! being in Newcastle that appears to attract trouble. Of the two times that they have played in the Union before, once there was a mass stage invasion, and the other time the band had to stop mid-song after two charming Geordies came to blows in the middle of the audience. Talking to Gareth, lead vocalist of the band, before the gig, reaffirmed the suspicion that just maybe their brand of raw indie-pop and dark edged lyrics took the Newcastle crowd to places they just weren’t used to. Thus the band and fans alike were heading into the gig with a sense of anticipation, a knowledge that something always happens when the ever growing band steps into the student’s domain. While there were no fist fights or unruly crowd activities tonight, the band still delivered as they always do, with a heavyweight package of thundering hooks, passionate vocals and true rock sensibilities.
On record Los Campesinos! are sometimes burdened with the unenviable label of being a little twee, but when it comes to their live performance, they don’t so much banish such thoughts as take their twee-pop image, thrust it through a blender then scream their lyrics back in its face. Despite earlier admitting to suffering from the rigours of a whistle stop tour, Gareth is as always determined to throw himself around every square centimetre of the venue, while flicking between vocals that are one second raucous screams and the next quiet contemplation. He is as always backed ably by a band that seem determined to cover every instrument on the planet, including new member Kim’s skills on the drone box, which for all the world I cannot figure out. Despite losing second singer Alexis to her studies, Kim steps in perfectly to the void and none of the power or charm of their earlier songs is lost, as they thunder through a set that features all their favourites as well as five new songs. One or two of the new songs still sound like they need work, but with the new album, Romance is Boring, not due till next February, this is the perfect testing ground for such experimentation. There are Listed Buildings and The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future both promise a lot for the new album and show a new found maturity in both their music and Gareth’s lyrics. From their first two albums, tracks such as We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, You! Me! Dancing! and Ways to Make it Through the Wall receive particularly frenzied responses, and closer Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks sends everyone out into the night with a heavy sweat on and a smile.
Anyone who headed to the gig expecting a flawless and refined showing and a polished vocal performance may well have been disappointed, but then to ask for such things would be to take away part of the essence of Los Campesinos, the power and passion that puts them head and shoulders above many of their peers and means they are so much more than twee.
Monday, 2 November 2009
The Chapman Family @ The Cluny 15/10/09
The Chapman Family
The Cluny 15/10/09
There is always a certain charm to seeing a local band coming good inside the hallowed walls of The Cluny. To see them stepping up from the conveyor belt of standard Northern lad-rock and hopeless bohemian types to take the first rung on the ladder to national recognition, and an assault against the standard Manchester-London axis that dominates the British musical landscape. The Chapman Family hail from Stockton on Tees (nearer Middlesbrough than Newcastle I’ll admit but the North East it remains…) and tonight they did indeed come good. Meeting the boys before hand and ending up embroiled in a discussion about which member of Take That has the most edge about him and the best period of Bowie’s career, reassured me about their musical ethics, with Kingsley, vocalist of the band, claiming that they started a band due to boredom and frustration with everything else they were hearing. Thus they had erected a significant platform from which they would have to prove that they were indeed something different, something aside from the generic that sparked them into life. And that they were, playing an hour long set that bristled with raw and energetic passion, often bordering on all out fury, but always reigning it in before their musical intent was compromised. Kingsley’s vocals switched in an ear-shattering second from quiet contemplation to raging outbursts, highlighted in their best known single ‘Kids’, which was received well by a decent sized crowd, considering that they are still unsigned and with only two major release singles. New single ‘Virgins’, which the tour is promoting, sounded like a pissed of Futureheads or Glasvegas if they stopped moping and just let it all out, and highlighted a further potential which bodes well for The Chapman Family to step up and take this country by storm.
The Cluny 15/10/09
There is always a certain charm to seeing a local band coming good inside the hallowed walls of The Cluny. To see them stepping up from the conveyor belt of standard Northern lad-rock and hopeless bohemian types to take the first rung on the ladder to national recognition, and an assault against the standard Manchester-London axis that dominates the British musical landscape. The Chapman Family hail from Stockton on Tees (nearer Middlesbrough than Newcastle I’ll admit but the North East it remains…) and tonight they did indeed come good. Meeting the boys before hand and ending up embroiled in a discussion about which member of Take That has the most edge about him and the best period of Bowie’s career, reassured me about their musical ethics, with Kingsley, vocalist of the band, claiming that they started a band due to boredom and frustration with everything else they were hearing. Thus they had erected a significant platform from which they would have to prove that they were indeed something different, something aside from the generic that sparked them into life. And that they were, playing an hour long set that bristled with raw and energetic passion, often bordering on all out fury, but always reigning it in before their musical intent was compromised. Kingsley’s vocals switched in an ear-shattering second from quiet contemplation to raging outbursts, highlighted in their best known single ‘Kids’, which was received well by a decent sized crowd, considering that they are still unsigned and with only two major release singles. New single ‘Virgins’, which the tour is promoting, sounded like a pissed of Futureheads or Glasvegas if they stopped moping and just let it all out, and highlighted a further potential which bodes well for The Chapman Family to step up and take this country by storm.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Everything Everything
Everything Everything at the Other Rooms
Rob Sellars
The Other Rooms has developed a knack in recent times of showcasing new bands that go on to discover the dizzy heights of success, and Everything Everything will be hoping the trend continues. With three major release singles under their belt, and this, their second headline tour, in full swing, things are starting to look promising for the band, half of whom hail from Newcastle and for who this constitutes something of a homecoming, after a hectic opening to their tour. Meeting the band before the gig, tired but excited after a performance in Aberdeen the night before, local boys Jonathan (vocals) and Mike (drums) speak of their love for R Kelly, Geordie girls and TV on the Radio amongst other things, and their music too seems to incorporate such an amalgamation of tastes. Taking the harmonies of The Futureheads and the falsettos of Wild Beasts, Everything Everything apply the synths of the aforementioned TVOTR and produce a unique and refreshing sound. The band attract a decent crowd considering their still unsigned status, and play an hour long set that ranges from the epic to pop in a way that brings Flaming Lips to mind and highlights their expansive musical range. New single ‘My Keys, Your Boyfriend’ draws an excited response, and delivers in fine form, while ‘NASA Is On Your Side’ cuts between ethereal and pop in teasing blasts, suggesting that a debut album will feature enough to please anyone’s fancies. The band look at home on the stage, happy playing to a local crowd who are keen to express their affection, and if they carry on as they are, that affection may start coming from a much bigger audience.
Rob Sellars
The Other Rooms has developed a knack in recent times of showcasing new bands that go on to discover the dizzy heights of success, and Everything Everything will be hoping the trend continues. With three major release singles under their belt, and this, their second headline tour, in full swing, things are starting to look promising for the band, half of whom hail from Newcastle and for who this constitutes something of a homecoming, after a hectic opening to their tour. Meeting the band before the gig, tired but excited after a performance in Aberdeen the night before, local boys Jonathan (vocals) and Mike (drums) speak of their love for R Kelly, Geordie girls and TV on the Radio amongst other things, and their music too seems to incorporate such an amalgamation of tastes. Taking the harmonies of The Futureheads and the falsettos of Wild Beasts, Everything Everything apply the synths of the aforementioned TVOTR and produce a unique and refreshing sound. The band attract a decent crowd considering their still unsigned status, and play an hour long set that ranges from the epic to pop in a way that brings Flaming Lips to mind and highlights their expansive musical range. New single ‘My Keys, Your Boyfriend’ draws an excited response, and delivers in fine form, while ‘NASA Is On Your Side’ cuts between ethereal and pop in teasing blasts, suggesting that a debut album will feature enough to please anyone’s fancies. The band look at home on the stage, happy playing to a local crowd who are keen to express their affection, and if they carry on as they are, that affection may start coming from a much bigger audience.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
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
Review by Rob Sellars
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