Live Review: Howling Bells – 229 The Venue, London 22.01.2022
Tony Blair is still Prime Minister, Gnarls Barkley is going crazy in the charts and The Sopranos is the latest telly fix. Meanwhile, an Aussie indie rock combo has released their debut album. Howling Bells eponymous debut was launched on the world in the spring of 2006 – a different time, an age when lazy …
Live Review: Girl Ray – The Lexington, London 21.01.2022
On a cold and miserable night in January with still more grey days ahead we all need some Girl Ray. Emerging from their hibernation like snowdrops Poppy, Sophie, Iris (and not forgetting Girl Ray bloke Mike) bring warmth, joy and some welcome quirkiness as they headline this eclectic night curated by The Line Of Best …
Live Review: The Rockaway Beach Festival – 07.01.2022 – 09.01.2022
Welcome to the end of the fear show! After everyone was grounded in 2021 Bognor braced itself for the return of the Rockaway Beach Festival. In the middle of a continuing pandemic? Really? As an idea it seemed crazier than the competitors in the notorious Bognor Birdman contest – a true leap of faith! During …
Live Review: Little Simz – Brixton Academy, London 18.12.2021
A black drape spans the stage. Brixton awaits rap royalty. This third and final night of the Little Simz South London take-over is another sold-out affair for the bold (some with face-masks) and the beautiful wanting a glimpse of the “real life queen in the flesh” or as she simply prefers to be called – …
Live Review: LIFE – Lafayette, Kings Cross, London 07.12.2021
No mic stand is safe tonight. Mez is magnetic. The LIFE frontman paces the stage, proudly proclaiming “Ey ‘up, we’re from Hull…” before launching into the frenzied assault of Popular Music. It’s the biggest headline show yet for LIFE and the atmosphere is more electric than the nearby Kings Cross rail tracks. This London leg …
Live Review: Bess Atwell – Oslo, Hackney 2.12.2021
A stolen lamp, a borrowed rug and a rustic charm fills the stage. Just a hipster’s 5km run away from the chaos of the global financial centre here’s Bess Atwell – cosy as a cat and as warm as an open fire – breathing calm with every song. Looking out on the chilly venue Bess …
Live Review: Anorak Patch – Colchester Arts Centre 20-11-2021
Standing at the pulpit, surveying the congregation, vocalist Effie Lawrence exudes a calmness beyond her years. There’s certainly no hint of the excitement that’s surely bubbling through Anorak Patch right now. Great acclaim has greeted their single releases over the past year – including Radio 1 and 6 Music playlist glory and quickly selling out …
Live Review: NewDad – The Lexington, Islington 17.11.2021 plus gallery
After falling into an old smuggler’s cave with only an old CD player and the 4AD label back catalogue for company, NewDad experienced a transformative adolescence. Probably. Several years later they were rescued by the Pixies – of the Frank Black variety – not the little people, there’ll be no lazy stereotyping here. Ahem. Blinking in …