Gig reviews for December 2011

Jersey Budd at the O2 Academy, 10th December

Trevor Locke reports.

Only a few local bands get to play on the main stage at the O2 Academy in Leicester. Tonight was a special occasion, a rare event, three top local acts in a line-up on the main stage.

Photo © Harjinder Ohbi

Hannah Beighton is a singer who has risen steadily over the past year. Hannah wanted to be a pop star ever since she was a school girl and tonight, on stage, she might have felt like she had achieved her dream.

After gigging extensively in her home town area, she eventually secured a support slot at the Tigers Stadium with James Morrison, in June 2010. She has also appeared with Jersey Budd before.

Artsin saw her in action at the Glastonblaby festival in July, singing to nearly as many people as were in front of tonight's stage. Hanna appeared at the O2 Leicester's main stage earlier in the year, as we found out from another rising star the Rap Star K.Y. when we met him at the Braunstone Carnival in July.

Hannah was accompanied tonight by her hand drummer and guitarist. Her set of melodic songs were delivered in that crystalline voice of hers. Smooth songs delivered with flawless precision, her set was greeted warmly by the audience.

Find out more about Hannah B on her web site | Hannah B at Glastonblaby Festival |

Photo of Alex Van Roose © Harjinder Ohbi

A band that, even though quite new, has written some amazingly memorable songs is Midnight Wire. Featuring the lead vocals of Alex 'Rooster' Van Roose (ex The Heroes) and the guitar of Chris Merriman (ex Razmataz), the four piece has gone far since they launched at Sub 91 on 2nd September.

Just as The Heroes had written some of the best songs of any band in Leicester during their era, so now Midnight Wire has put together an astonishingly good set of pop rock melodies that are almost without equal in our local scene. Armed with a new drummer - Nik Green - they played a feisty and vigorous set, pulsating with the all the vigour you would want from a young pop act.

Photo © Harjinder Ohbi

At a time when several bands have brought out Christmas songs, not to be left out they opened their set with the theme from the The Snowman, Howard Blake's Walking in the Air ... but not as you have ever heard it before, no, this was a rocked up version, bursting with heavy ideas and pounding riffs.

The set drove forward with all their crack hits: Kings of the City, Excuses, Honey - tunes that have lashings of rhythm and memorable melodies. They know how to do it: explosive intros, compelling dance beats, catchy guitar flourishes, easy lyrics, bouncy sing-along choruses ... it's all there. Take That, eat your heart out.

They all put kilowatts of energy and commitment into their live set and the more you listen to their songs, the more you like them.

Our feature article on Midnight Wire | Hear their songs on Facebook

Photo © Harjinder Ohbi

Say Leicester to a rock fan and they think of Kasabian. If they really know our local scene the next one they mention is Jersey Budd. The purveyor of positive pop is well known outside Leicester and his recent menage with Leicester City Football Club will stand him in good stead with the locals. As Leicester's answer to Bruce Springsteen walked on stage a big cheer erupted from the massed ranks of fans, most of whom were there for him, as the O2 room had filled up by the time the stage doors opened.

On stage with Jersey were a guitarist, female vocalist, drummer and bassist/keyboardist. So now we see Jersey Budd and band. His big, vibrant vocals filled the hall and the fans were clearly delighted with what he had to offer .. a set of songs that many reckon are destined for the big time (The Sun, NME, The Daily Star, etc.)

The man of the people rock star exudes stage presence as he sings to the audience and feels the buzz coming back from them. He said to them: "It's fantastic to be back", not that many had noticed he had been away for long. Artsin saw him for the first time at Summer Sundae in August 2008 and again at Strawberry Fields in 2010.

So tonight's show was a triumph for the singer and another step in his ever growing career. Jersey's new album will be out soon (he already has two out) - we would love to hear it!

Jersey Budd's web site | We wrote about When You're Smiling |