The Futureheads @ Northumbria University 03/03/08

One night I did not know what to do with myself and as my previous plans had all evaporated I decided to go to the Futureheads gig. Not being a big Futureheads fan I still enjoyed myself well and truly dancing to the catch tunes. As I am writing this a bit late or well very late I have to rake through my memory in order to reconstruct the gig. This Sunderland band knows exactly how to deal with the local public. The songs woke all the tired souls up and gave half of the public twinkly toes. They are a real good live band that probably has more potential than is normally thought they have. Shoes were taken off and thrown into the air, one almost hitting the singer.
Besides the Futureheads Newcastle’s Uncle Monty did a good performance, gaining some more listeners that were interested in the free cd, a marketing tactic that can be questioned but is definitely a way to get yourself known in the ears of a wide range of people when you are a smaller band. Small band what a term, the unknown or ‘small bands’ make great music a lot of times and do sound quite good when it comes down to it.
The first support band do not even need mentioning, they were not good at all, and well I forgot by the time they were done with their set what they were called…

Review by Solveig Werner

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