Throwback Gig Reviews Part 1 : Rae Morris

So about 6 months ago I wrote a series of gig review blogs that were never published. So here's a little throwback series featuring Meadowlark, Rae Morris, Slowdive, Coasts, Joe Dolman and Tom Speight.

Rae Morris

Blackpool born Rae Morris stunned with the debut album 'Unguarded' her ethereal voice and super catchy pop beats becoming an instant favourite and I kept coming back for more. 

More recent releases including 'Do It' and 'Reborn' have an effervescent, transcendent style and I was looking forward to hearing more of her new songs. 

Rae Morris's quirky and somewhat 'fairy-like' stage presence never fails to remind me of Kate Bush and it's always a pleasure to get lost in the music right alongside her. 

I headed on over the Belgrave Music Hall on Wed 29th for what was sure to be a fantastic night.

First to the stage was Leeds College Of Music superstar Lucy Whittaker. 

Lucy dropped her debut EP a few months ago and she is fast becoming the name on everyone's lips, recent release 'I'm not ever coming back again" featured as BBC Introducing's track of the week. 

Lucy's street style and tough girl attitude are often in stark contrast to her beautiful soprano voice. 

Some of my highlights from the set included the angst-ridden 'Alone'  and title track of the new EP 'Only One.'

Celeste was the second support of the night, her clear powerful voice shining through with simple guitar accompaniment. 

My top tracks included 'Daydreaming' and new song 'Coco Blood' which was actually only written two weeks previously and the crowd were privileged to be amongst some of the first to hear the song live. 

Finally, it was time for Rae Morris and boy were we in for a treat.

They say Dance like nobody is watching, yet they were, as the whole room at the Belgrave Music Hall were hanging onto Rae Morris' every word and interpretative dance move. 

New tracks 'Leave the light on' and the previous single 'Reborn ' were particular highlights for me as well as 'Can not wait for the rain' which came complete with sound effects. 

The headline set then took a stripped back tone, sans band, as Rae played 'For You', one of the first songs that she ever wrote, back in her writing shed in Blackpool and this captivating song beautifully showcases Rae's angelic voice. 

'Dancing with character' brought a tear to my eye and would be the perfect song to feature on Strictly. It tells the story of one of Rae Morris' friends' grandparents who would go dancing together at the workman's club in Blackpool every week. 

Rae Morris' second album 'Someone Out There" is out now and you can catch her on tour around the UK this month. did I mention that she's also going to be at Live At Leeds? #winning

Top 7 gigs of 2017

Top 7 gigs of 2017 

It's that time of the year again where I reflect on some of the best gigs* that I have been to in 2017. 

*like seriously THE best

Kovic

Kovic played support to Coasts when they came to Leeds earlier this year and I was instantly in love. Meeting Mark was a highlight for me because how lovely, is he! 

Tom Speight

I've been to see my mate Tom Speight twice this year and both times have absolutely phenomenal. 

These cute, and intimate gigs at the Louisiana in Bristol and the Oporto in Leeds have had a laid-back vibe and the banter kept on coming.

Dan Croll

No, I've never been to Tokyo but I hear that Dan Croll has. After ending the year on high with the release of his second album 'Emerging Adulthood' and a stellar U.K. Tour Dan ended the year with a holiday in Tokyo

Highlights included some beautiful tambourine playing by Dan Croll during 'Tokyo' and the classic 'From Nowhere' - which is actually my ring tone. 

Rae Morris 

Rae Morris is 'Reborn' with more pizazz and sparkle and she's absolutely fabulous! 

The Blackpool born singer with an ethereal voice and unforgettable stage presence lifted the roof off the Belgrave Music Hall with her latest hits  'Do It' and 'Reborn' as well As playing old favourites and treating our ears to some new tunes. 

Marsicans 

If anyone can, the Marsicans can. - I don't know why I said that, it just sounded cool.

The Marsicans opened the Stylus stage at this year's Live At Leeds festival with so much energy that they could have launched a rocket. And did I mention that they absolutely hilarious?

If you haven't yet, you really really need to go watch the Marsicans new music video.

Saint Motel

Saint Motel may not be an instantly recognisable household name....yet but 'My Type' and the saxophone intro in particular is sure to prick up your ears in recognition. You can hear it on the Now TV ad.

Whilst most swanned off to music festivals up and down the country I headed down to the Wardrobe on the 11th July for the most hilarious gig. 

A personal highlight has to be when a guy standing next to me asked AJ Jackson for a high five but got ignored and I got the high five instead. #winning

Coasts 

So you know how Coasts went on an epic 38 date UK tour during the Autumn, well guess who was at five of those dates in cities far and wide,. There was even a trip to Brighton.  

As readers of this blog may know, Coasts never fail to impress at their gigs but if pushed to choose my favourite date, it would have to be Bristol

The atmosphere at the was electric at the hometown gig and it was clear to see that the guys were really glad to be playing in the city, amongst so many recognisable faces. A very close second has to be Brighton, after all, there were balloons involved. 

My top seven gigs of 2015

Over recent years I have truly embraced the phenomenon of going to gigs from small coffee shop venues to huge arenas I've had the pleasure of listening to big names and discovering fresh new talents and I'd like to share some of my favourite gigs that I have been to over this past year. As pretty much all of these were incredibly, posilutely, amazingly AWESOME!!!!! I can't pick my favourite so whilst this is technically a top seven list...I'm not ranking one above another.

7. Hunter And The Bear 

Melodic rock with hints of country, perfectly blended fantastic harmonies and catchy guitar riffs? Well thats Hunter And The Bear. I particularly loved the emotionally gripping acapella track 'Wounded'

6. Daniel Pearson

Perfection, thats a word you could use for the smooth, mellow resonance of Daniel Pearson.  This year may have been trying for Daniel Pearson but bloody hell does he sound good.

5. Rupert Stroud

I may or may not have been following Rupert Stroud's music career for quite some time now and every time I see him he gets better and better! Having already fallen in love with 'Morning Light' and 'Way Back Home' which yes are staples on my Spotify playlists I was totally blown away by 'The Truth' (hahahahaha) and recent release Catch - which as the name suggests is actually rather catchy.

4. Raleigh Ritchie

Live At Leeds was only Raleigh Richie's third EVER gig but you wouldn't have guessed it as he was simply Outstanding. Raleigh Ritchie a.k.a Greyworm on HBO's Game Of Thrones stage presence was mesmerising and he didn't sound half bad either.

3. Rae Morris 

I've actually been to see Rae Morris twice this year; once in February and once in October and it was so lovely to see how she has grown as an artist. The Blackpool born singer with a voice of an angel has an somewhat ethereal and you could even say say that listening to her set is really quite magical.

2. Hozier

My sister bought me tickets to see Hozier last Christmas, the gig was not until the end of May so I have had to sit patiently twiddling my thumbs. Definitely worth the wait though because OMG how good was he!!

Perhaps best known for 'Take Me To Church' Hozier packs a powerful emotional punch with sultry and soulful sounds.

1. Coasts 

To be honest I bought my ticket to go and see these guys before I had really listened to their music so you could say that they were a new favourite of mine....and bloody hell you would be right about that one as I would end going to see Coasts again and again and again!

With massive stage presence and unforgettable, catchy choruses Coasts are infectiously flawless and I look forward to the release of their debut album on Jan 22nd...not that I'm counting down the days or anything.


So 2016, lets do this again ok.