Wednesday 8th December at the Shed - the ArtsIn
Christmas show
The Bands: Azidify, Chess Club, Hybrid Trend, Edict
of Bedlam
The Acts: Alex Van Roose (singer/songrwriter),
Ryan Elson (Dancer), Tree Finger (Beat Boxer), Blessed Mcs (GrimeCore
rappers), Martin Powdrill (Illusionist)
Leicester band Azidify playing at the show
Ryan Elson did some really good dance routines
between the band sets.
Dominic Kraftzmann and the Blessed MCs group on
stage
Alex Van Roose (Rooster) singing his own songs
at the start of the show.
Chess Club - soon to be featured, one of the most
impressive new bands with an extraordinarily good set of rock songs
Edict of Bedlam - stonkingly massive
metal sounds and thrilling guitar playing
Hyrid Trend - classy rock songs
and a new female vocalist
The Acts
Alex Van Roose (singer/songrwriter),
better known as the lead guitarist from The Heroes, writes his own
songs and has been carving out a niche for himself at acoustics nights
recently while the band has been resting and looking for a new drummer.
Tuneful and engaging songs with listenable lyrics and catchy melodies,
Rooster's set set the night to a quality start.
Ryan Elson (Dancer), did his break
dance routines and wow'd the audience with cleverly articulated movements
and athletic jumps and twirls. We would like to see more dancers
performing at live music shows, and Ryan has set the bar.
Tree Finger (Beat Boxer), Harry
Hoola Hoop (as he has been known) was joined on stage by an electric
guitarist and together they showed what beat boxing is about. It's
an unusual art form but many musicians were impressed by what can
be achieved with no instrument other than one's windpipe and lips.
Blessed MCs (GrimeCore rappers),
a group of young artists who put on a lively and vibrant session
of rap. Lots of infectious rhythms and fast moving lyrics, laden
with style and attitude.
Martin Powdrill (Illusionist).
The young performer worked some startling magic for the crowd, drawing
one or two of them into the act and leaving people thinking 'how
on earth did he do that?'. Very clever. Very entertaining.
The Night
Our aim was to showcase some new acts, displaying
discoveries to promoters and other industry people who came down
and to give a chance to established bands to play in front of some
of the people who might be booking them next year. So, in that respect,
the night was a success artistically and thanks to the industry people
who turned up. That Wednesday was in the middle of a cold spell that
saw attendances plummet, across many venues, so the ticket take was
well down on what we expected. But again, thanks to everyone who
braved the frost and snow and came down to support the acts.
We were to have played two stages but given the
disappointing attendance, we decided to use only the main room.
Putting on acts between the bands is not something you normally get
at live events in Leicester but hey, I thought it was something that
could work. I've seen magicians working at shows, the occasional
dancer with a band and it would have been interesting if our comedian
could have gone on but she couldn't.
Will this work? Hopefully, others might give the
formula a try. Normally, all we get between bands is canned music;
seems like a wasted space to me, when the 15 minutes between changeovers
could be used to give young artists a chance to show what they can
do. Keeps the entertainment moving.
Friday 24th September at the SoundHouse with Go Primitive.
September's Band of the Month gig featured the headline
act GO
PRIMITIVE
The stage at the SoundHouse saw a tantalisingly pleasing set by The Working Projects, a skillfully good band comprising
lead vocalist , rhythm guitarist and harmonica player (and sometimes pianist) James Sides with backing vocals and lead guitarist Joe Faulkner, bass guitarist Matt George and
percussionist Joe Laurence. A highly talented lineup of musician singers and yes, notice, they all sing, so I am bound to rate them highly.
James Sides has a richly characterful voice which he delivered well through the well tempered PA of the ShouseHouse, weaving a delicious set of songs ranging from bluesy, melodic tunes through to bouncy, ballsy, foot tapping rock numbers. Strong on attack and a calm but purposeful stage presence, they worked tightly as a team to deliver a quality set with well balanced instrumentation. Loads of people said afterwards how good they were and I heartily agreed with them.
Out of town indie band from Wolverhampton, The Rimes took to the stage next. What made this band noticeable was the star quality of lead singer Jamie Nicholls.
He portrayed that natural, energetic performance that makes vocalists stand out and although their set was not musically distinctive their delivery was lively and overall it was enjoyable. Their last song 'Starting Over' was outstanding and well above the level of the rest of the set.
The headline band Go Primitive took to the stage to give us a breathtakingly quality set of their original songs with impressive singing by front man James Merry.
The five piece band hails from Leicester, Rugby and Leamington Spa, so letting together for rehearsals can't me easy! Describing themselves as 'alternative rock', their songs were hard edged, full of big rolling waves of rhythms and sparkling with well blended orchestration. Leaden with intensity and power, their music was both compelling and exhilarating.
They maintained the dynamic quality of the tunes throughout the set, performing with style and charisma. My favourite song is perhaps 'When worlds collide', this makes the hairs on my neck tingle. This is a great, expansive, big sounding, anthemic song that shows the band off to their full potential.
This is a band that tickets the boxes for big, inspiring music, characterful vocals, solidly good songmanship and kick-ass delivery. So glad I made them band of the month.
Friday 20th August 2010
Ashdowne, Us Wolves and Gemma Lakin play the SoundHouse
Our first BOTM showcase gig went really well. All three acts played superbly good music, there was a great crowd and artsIn went home feeling this was their best gig ever. Thanks to all the artsIn Team members who came down for it and a special thanks to the SoundHouse for hosting the night for us and for the exceptionally good sound.
Solo singer, songwriter Gemma Lakin opened the night. Her rich, fulsome voice easily carried to the back of the room. Gemma sang last Sunday a the Shed, winning herself a well-earned place at the Glastonbudget festival next year.
A strong and engaging performer, her set of vibrant songs soon grabbed the attention of the audience. Her set was mainly her own songs but she threw in a couple of covers, including one by Weezeer and all that she did was thoroughly enjoyable.
Musically, she presented an engaging set of bluesy, jazzy rock songs, full of vibrant feelings and delivered in her richly toned voice.
A good singer, her guitar work also drew favourable comments from the musicians in the audience.
A performer with presence, Gemma launched the night to a great start. Adam from Leicester told us: "She's great. A brilliant voice." Singer James said: "She's quirky, everything about her is so nice." Guitarist Chris said "she's good on guitar."
Gemma went down well, judging from the warm applause she received at the end of her set. Gemma will be our singer of the month in September.
Gemma Lakin
The floor in front of the SoundHouse stage filled as the four members of Us Wolves took to the stage. After a powerful opening, the guys launched into a set of vigorous songs and lead singer James Ferraby's voice burst into the room. He is one of the finest band singers around and is backed by three well experienced and sharply tight musicians.
I went to this band's first gig only a few weeks ago (gig notes, 27th July) and was impressed by just how good this band had become in the short time they had been together. Of course, most of them had played in bands before. In just a short space of time they have worked themselves into an impressive ensemble with a sensational list of songs.
Well crafted songs, superbly delivered by a top notch vocalist with backing backing support from Chris from the bass, they wow 'd the big throng in front of the stage. It's amazing how popular this group has become after a relatively short space of time.
Us Wolves
Us Wolves played a set that full of great sounds, well crafted riffs and well mixed instrumentation. Their songs were varied, ranging from slower, mood evoking numbers through to the big, brassy numbers that poured off the stage in great breakers of glorious sound. They ended their set to wild cheering from the crowd. Clearly a band that is set to mark it's mark. We will be playing out part to get their music known out there.
Our band of the month, Ashdowne, took to to stage next. After a career spanning nearly ten years, this band has matured into one of the top bands of Leicester. A team of stunningly tight musicians led by a great vocalist,
Lee Wakeling, they had me and most of the audience spell bound for pretty much the whole of their set.
Ashdowne played a totally absorbing set of songs many of which had an iconic quality. I've heard tracks being played on Radio 1 by bands that are not half as good as this one. Their work now is outstanding and their performance tonight, truly exceptional. I have to give a shout out for Steve the sound engineer who worked wonders. Even better than when I last heard them at the Kasbah in Coventry.
What makes this band stand out is the massive quality of Lee Wakeling's singing, the evocative and image laden lyrics and sheer pleasure of their melodies. They started with 'Slow down' the first track from their 2008 Album A Warning from the Curious, a song that reminded me a lot of the fabulous Mesh29 from Peterborough, a band that I have long held in very high regard.
Their second song Footsteps, another finely crafted piece of songwriting, with its memorable chorus, was brilliant, full of captivating melodies and moody lyrics. Lee's voice has a wide range and he can sing effortlessly in a high register to amplify the intensity of the passage.
Breath out, their next song, conjures up a strong, almost bluesey mood before bursting into a majestic guitar flourish before going into a passage deploying a speech sample, the musical style blending big almost metallic riffs with a smooth indie harmonies. The song rises and falls between softer, delicate phrases and big passionate statements.
So, here is band that uses every musical tool to weave enthralling melodies, lyrics and instrumentals into magical musical tapestries.
Ashdowne ended their set with the hauntingly lovely Holy Ground, a dark, almost operatic song, with speech samples and electronic effects, excellently produced on their album.
The audience erupted into enthusiastic and sustained applause for what was one of the most stunning and exhilarating performances from a Leicester band, in a long time.
Ashdowne showed us what they can do and clearly most of the people who were there loved it. As I said, I was spell bound throughout the set. Music of the highest quality.
Ashdowne playing Holy Ground at the SoundHouse
We look forward to working with band and helping them in their career; we think they deserve much wider recognition and we are keen to play out part in achieving that.
