Gig reviews for November 2011

I Dream in Colour, 20th November

Kevin Gaughan reports.

Wow, it was busy in the Lock, and a Sunday, too, I suspected everyone had come to see the touring band, I Dream in Colour, as they are very popular.

The atmosphere was jolly, as some people had already had a few drinks and were in good spirits, although occasionally a bit vocal at times.

The first band of the night, The Ferris are a well established, four piece, classic indie/rock band from Leicester. Aha, it seemed this was the band everyone had come to see.

The Ferris got a warm reception from the enthusiastic crowd, as soon as they launched into their first song, my feet were already getting stood on by the dancing ladies next to me! Having not seen The Ferris before and being aware of their solid reputation in these parts, I was intrigued to see what they were like.

Their style was slow, more classic rock, getting funky with blues influences at times making it easy to dance to. Unfortunately, however, as often seems to be the case with support acts, in my opinion, the sound was less than perfect as I felt that Scott Grocock's vocals often got overshadowed by the rest of the band. Also, there was a loud clicking/buzzing sound coming from one of the band's speakers most of the way through the set.

It has been said that I can be pedantic, but I found the slower tracks like Yellow hard to listen to as I tended to focus on the buzz.

The Ferris © Kevin Gaughan

Having said that, however, I could see why they are so popular and I did appreciate the quality of the songwriting and the slower, more mellow pace of the music. A band that I would love to see again soon, they will be playing at Sumo in Braunstone Gate, Leicester on Friday the 9th December, so I might just have to pop in.

The Ferris' web site.

Next up were Raptusound, a newish four piece band from Leicester who have only recently played their first gig in the Soundhouse at Leicester's Oxjam 2011 festival. Incredibly, the Soundhouse was packed when they played at midday on the Saturday! - the crowd paid attention to their set and thinned out when Raptusound finished. They seemed to have a big following even at their debut gig!

Raptusound have been locked away writing, recording and rehearsing their music for the last two years, they have also appeared on BBC 6 Music in that time, which might explain their instant audience at Oxjam.

Raptusound © Kevin Gaughan

Unfortunately, about half of the crowd had disappeared by the time Raptusound hit the stage, but the venue was by no means empty.

When Raptusound appeared, the first thing that I did notice, however, was the look - I can feel myself bringing on another pedantic moment, but they all wore completely different types of clothes making them look like four chaps who had just got up from the audience!

However, once the performance started, none of that mattered, as I instantly latched on to the sometimes mellow, sometimes piercing and confidently played synth. While front man, Christopher's powerful, haunting and occasionally chilling vocals molding into the synth harmonies perfectly. Often building pace, some songs were equipped with their own solid, in-yer-face rock influenced guitar sections.

Raptusound © Kevin Gaughan

Christopher's voice conveyed plenty of emotion, too, with songs like Wasted, starting off mellow with almost hollow vocals, pulling you in then increasing the pace and ending in a crescendo of guitars, synths and drums, a big, big sound, from a new band.

What a fantastic set, I'll be making it my business to make sure I'm at their next gig which will be headlining on Saturday, 10th December at Sumo in Braunstone Gate, Leicester.

Click below to see them perform at the gig:

Wasted
Every Part - Melanie's Charge - Free

Raptusound's internet site.

After a short break, some more people came away from the bar to watch the headlining act of the night - I Dream in Colour, a mature four piece from Hertfordshire and Essex. The crowd was still only half the size of when The Ferris were on, which surprised me as I Dream in Colour are a well known band, nationally.

First impressions were another rock band with keyboards - the second of the night and never a bad thing. As Richard Judge, a man of many talents, singing, playing guitar and on keyboard duties, too - luckily not all at the same time, came across as a nice chap, warm and friendly towards the audience, quite humble and just pleased to be there having a good time.

As for the music - OH the music, impeccably written and performed by professionals that have mastered their game. The sound was BIG, full bodied and Richard's voice was perfect in the mix - and what a voice too, flexible, musical, just gorgeous.

Their style was quite rocky, but they also played slower more acoustic songs with a folk edge at times, as in Fourteen. All totally original and all bloody marvelous, world class infact, literally.

The crowd were absorbed by the music, too, making for complete silence in the quiet bits.

I Dream in Colour are in the middle of a country-wide tour I do hope they play Leicester again.

What a wonderful evening, with some top quality bands and all for virtually peanuts down at the Lock.

Click here, here or here to see I Dream in Colour perform at the gig.

I Dream in Colour's internet site.