Gig Reviews from May 2009

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Gig reviews January to April 2009

The Heroes at Surface Unsigned, Tuesday 9th June and The Musician on 20th June

The Heroes won their place in the finals of the Original Bands showcase with one of their best sets. It was magic. This is the one Leicester band most likely to break into the big time nationally. Launching their set with their iconic "Blue Rave", they soon had the densly packed crowd in a frenzy of excitement. They broke into "Wake up Radio" in spectacular style. Seeing this band playing in front of its highly enthusiastic fans gives you a feeling that you are in at the start of something very special, rather like being in the Cavern Club in 1962, watching the emergence of the Beatles. This band has three very strong lead singers, three distinctive personalities and complementary voices, including Alex Totman who is tipped by some to be the successor to Pete Docherty. They work well together as a team. The new song "My fault" is electrifying, edgy, fast and crackling with sparky riffs. "Flowers in Golden Times" is one of those iconic anthems that gets everyone singing. The band members dance around on the stage, living every twist and turn of the music. The Heroes music is what its all about, rock with strands of punk and infectious dance rhythms, laced with high energy performances and melodies and lyrics that stick in your head long after you have forgotton all the rest. At the end of the show lead guitarist Rooster jumped off the stage to do a bit of crowd surfing, still playing his guitar. It was a thrilling set.

Leicester's rising stars, the Heroes played their Surface Unsigned heat at the Rainbow Warehouse in front a crowd of adoring fans, some of whom had recently discovered the band and decided to go over to Brum with them.

Half way through their set the PA system failed at the beginning of "Flowers in Golden times". Undaunted the band continued with the song a cappella with the audience joining in with the lyrics. So good was the performance that some failed to realise that the mics had in fact gone off, due to a blown fuse in the power circuits to the stage. The song has evidently made an impact on some of the top DJs at Radio 1. We were told that Jo Whiley personally called Dean Jackson of the4 Beat programme to say how good she thought the song was.

After a strong performance by the four lads, they found themselves through to the next round, having picked up an unusal 60 votes from the judges, and so are playing the Midlands semi-finals, to be held at the Asylum on 31st July. We hope they are following in the footsteps of the Chairmen and get through to the national finals.

The Heroes

The Rugged Sound System, The Shed, Friday 12th June 2009

Loughborough's 7 piece super band played at the OBS heat at the Shed and gave us a thrilling performance. The band blends funk, hip hop and rock into a tantalising cocktail of highly enjoyable music. The three lead vocalists are top quality and add a fine layer of sound to the rich rhythms and riffs of this unusual and thoroughly entertaining band. Their set buzzed with energy, a big set of sounds and a scintillating performance, that gets audiences moving. A first class band with songs that stand several repeat hearings.

Rugged Sound System

Coalville trio Third Time Lucky are a new band trying to find their feet but put on a sterling performance of thier happy, catchy songs. They worked the audience and gave them a lively stage performance. All three band members contribute to the vocals at some point in the set, so that's good. The band's bouncy, upfront approach promises much.

The Essentials delivered their songs with a good deal of momentum and commitment. Their tightly played set was led by their front man vocalist who could well grow into a mature band singer in a few years but for the time being lacks the charisma that his role requires.

With their set of mainstream rock songs, the Boobytraps are a pleasing band to listen to and their work has a feeling of genuine authenticity. The band produces a strong presence and creates a buzz with the audience. A convincing performance from the lead signer and some backing work on the mics from the lead guitarist gave us an enjoyable set.

Abandon at the Sun Bar, Thursday 7th May 2009

Mansfield band Abandon have played Leicester venues several times now and they always put on a stunning performance. Having seen them a few times now, they are for me an outstanding band. They play quality canonical rock, great to listen to and good on stage, Abandon are a prize band and well worth seeing if you get the chance.

Abandon

Paris Revolution, Wayward Trippers, Hotel Zulu and the Waites at Leicester Square, 15th May 2009

The Semi-final heat of the Empire Band of the Land was held at Leicester Square and the lineup included four good bands.

Paris Revolution opened the night with a set of cool songs delivered by their two lead vocalists Robin and Kalada. Well blended voices were strong and delivered a set of engaging and pleasing songs. Well orchestrated instrumentals and nicely balanced acoustic and electric sounds made this a band that has an enjoyable set.

Launching their set with a bouncy song backed by thumping beats, Wayward Trippers front man Alex Brodella got the band off to a strong start. The five member band delivered some scintillating and punchy sounds to the crowd that had gathered in front of the stage. Fulsome mainstream rock, the Trippers gave us a set of of varied musical styles with a lot of creative verve. This was probably the best set I have seen from this band, which comprises a solidly good group of musicians who work well together.

Coalville indie trio The Waites, have been making their mark recently and tonight they gave us a great set of dancey songs, with some ace vocals and compelling melodies. Modern sounds and catchy tunes, this is a band with an appreciative audience.

Paris Revolution

Wayward Trippers

The Waits

Tired Irie at the Arts Centre, Saturday 10th May 2009

Last time I saw Tired Irie play live they were on the main stage of the De Montfort Hall in front of 2000 people at last year's Summer Sundae Festival. Since then have played only a couple of shows locally. Tonight they made a stunning comeback, with new drummer Jamie Ward (previously in Kyte). Their set was exciting - this is one of Leicester's top bands - their music is infectious and captivating and their stage performance entrancing. Even members of other top bands were singing their praises at the end of the set. I look forward to seeing Tired Irie again because what they do is a top class musical delight and a rare treat for someone who usually sees only unsigned bands - this is yet another Leicester band that urgently deserves national recognition.

The show was support by Leicester band Autohype, play some of their solidly established songs and some new numbers. A quality performance, memorable and engaging songs marks out Autohype as a band at the top of the local tree. The five piece electro indie band are well established both as support and headliners and have a following that loves their characteristic sound and compelling songs.

New band Deep People features lead guitar and vocals from Mikey Shine (Happy Mondays) and the drums of JJ (Ego Armalade) and the trumpet of "G Funk", supported by Lee Spreadbury on Keyboards, Na'im Cortazzi on Bass Guitar and J Kenna on Drums. Given this lineup of experienced musicians, we were expecting something very special and we were not disappointed. This band added another enthralling set to the gold edged lineup and gave the audience a set of dancey, jazzy, rocky songs, that sounded not only totally delicious but also unlike anything we have heard elsewhere. Absolutely first class music. A tour de force set from a strongly rising band.

What an amazing night: three contrasting bands, playing awesomely good music with a full audience. Makes up for all the rest I guess. Someone said to me that the music scene in Leicester is dead. They obviously don't go to as many gigs as I do and with exciting new bands and singers popping up all the time, may be there is a new scene on the horizon and if there is I for one am looking forward to it. Tonight's show was a taste of good things to come.

Gig reviews January to April 2009