Throwback Gig Reviews Part 5 : Joe Dolman

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.

Joe Dolman 

The Fox and Newt in Leeds, just opposite Park Lane College is a Burley Street Brewhouse pub with designated music venue upstairs, which on the the evening of the 15th November was host to Joe Dolman with support from /sunflower Thieves and Amy J.

You know that you are onto a winner when the artist opens her set with an Adele cover. Folk singer/songwriter Amy J mixed her set up with various covers and original songs with a country vibe. 

Highlights from the set included ‘Reply’ and melancholy, deep (as deep as the sea) ‘Rock The Boat.’

Derbyshire (and Nottingham) duo Sunflower Thieves blend beautiful close harmonies and heartfelt lyrics to create a calm, relaxing sound which was just what I needed on a Wednesday night. 

My top tracks of the set were ‘Oh Wait’ and the debut of ‘Two Halves.’ 

Sunflower Thieves are back live in Leeds on the 28th November at the Oporto and the debut EP ‘Hold The Storm’ is out now.

Last time I was Joe Dolman a year ago, he was ‘Learning To Fly’ and writing his dissertation at service stations on the way to tour dates. Now Joe has graduated and is back on the very stage where I last saw him. 

Playing a mixture of old, new and some unreleased material Joe had the audience hanging off his every word and opened the set with fan favourite ‘Addicted To You.’ 

I loved the gorgeously poignant ‘Close To Home’ inspired by the time Joe spent helping at a dementia home and latest track ‘Something Beautiful.’

Throwback Gig Reviews Part 2 : Meadowlark

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.

Meadowlark - 01.10.17

What could be better than a songwriter? Two songwriters, of course. Kate McGill and Dan Broadley, now known as Meadowlark met in Plymouth after many successful years in the music industry; Kate as a popular YouTuber best known for her covers, and Dan, playing in a number of rock bands and producing music videos. 

Their music has often been described as bridging the gap between folk and electronica with the idea that less is more. 

'Eyes Wide' was a prominent feature on the BBC Introducing track list back in 2015 and Meadowlark have since had songs appear on Made In Chelsea but I'm getting ahead of myself. 

First, to the stage at the Wardrobe on Sunday 1st October was Hollie Haines.

Hollie Haines opened her set with the acapella song 'Charlie' which beautifully captured her pure, rich voice. Before grabbing her guitar and captivating the early arrivers with tunes of storytelling charm. 

Hollie turned up the attitude from her usual silky smooth and cutesy tone with 'Let Me Go' and I particularly enjoyed 'Forever Alone.'

Less is more seemed to be a recurring theme this evening as was melancholy songs as Sam Brooke and his fedora took to the stage.

'Always Will' is a brand new single which Sam only released a few days previously and it's hard not tap your foot along.

Particularly memorable was 'Fools of Saturn' which was written in memory of Cassini. 

Cassini was the satellite sent into space to orbit Saturn and send pictures back to earth. The story has a sad ending, however, as at the end of its mission the satellite was disposed of by launching it at the rings of the planet and instantly destroying it. 

'Fools Of Saturn' captures the spirit of the story with haunting honesty.

The lights dimmed as Meadowlark arrived, lit only by a ring of flashing, rose-tinted light bulbs. Not failing to add a warm glow and somewhat mysterious aura. 

Meadowlark's unique sound is part folk, part 'sick beats' and has an experimental feel that defy the parameters of music genres.

Satellites was another recurring theme of the evening as this was the first song recorded for the new album and one of my faves from their set.

'Postcards' the title track of the debut album was another highlight as it beautifully melded together Kate's soprano voice with the experimental electronic beats. 

Meadowlark is on tour in Germany later this month 

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.