EDITION 018
Sept 2005 LIVE REVIEWS
Arctic Monkeys / The Applewhites
Sweet & Sour @ Silhouettes
As the nights 74th crowd surfer takes the opportunity to be man-handled by sweat drenched strangers and dragged rather forcibly to the floor by an overworked bouncer, who will no doubt hate Artic Monkeys for the rest of his life, something strikes me. Not an empty bottle of lager, or a slight feeling of empathy for The Applewhites (who played a decent enough set that is destined to be quickly forgotten as the evening wears on), but a realisation that if Artic Monkeys ascent of the pop stardom ladder continues at this rate the next time they come to Hull they will be playing to a sold out KC Stadium rather than a sold out Silhouettes.
Sounding like an fusion of the coolest British bands of the past 30 years Artic Monkeys manage to encompass the stripped back garage punk of The Libertines, the witty one liners of The Streets - “There’s only music so that there’s new ringtones” frontman Alex Turner sings on ‘A Certain Romance’ - and the magnetic stage presence of The Jam.
It’s easy to see why Artic Monkeys are already so popular, singer Alex appears to have been born to be plastered on teenage girls’ bedroom walls, and where The Libertines sang about a hazy vision of Arcadia the Artic Monkeys sing about growing up in a gloomy Northern town, something everyone here tonight can relate to.
Get the “I saw them first!“ screech ready now, by the end of the year you’ll be hoarse from shouting it, and forget REM in the pissing rain - ‘Everybody Hurts’ is such a cliché now anyway - Artic Monkeys is the gig 2005 will be remembered for.
words: Tom White, pic: Anna Feintuck
Steve Reed / Emma Rugg / The Favours / Jodie Marshal
@ The Adelphi
This was probably the busiest acoustic gig I’ve ever seen, which sometimes back fired a bit as not everyone managed to stop talking when the acts were on, not usually an option with a full grown band as you can’t hear what the other person’s saying anyway. Tonight was the launch of Steve Reed’s first full LP ‘I Have To Go’ and judging by the turn out tonight it’s going to do pretty well for the chap.
First up acoustic songstress Jodie Marshal delivered us some of her songs. Unfortunately due to said noise and standing at the bar I only caught wisps across a venue but what I did hear sounded eloquent and beautiful.
The Favours also treated us to a fine acoustic set which let some of the delicateness and hidden treasures in their songs shine through without the wall of guitars. Certainly a couple of the songs were palpably moving and Sara’s voice carried high above the crowd.
Next up the probably the city’s most famous singer songwriter of the moment Emma Rugg played a selection from here new album, stark yet bright and as affecting as ever, Emma has a beautiful way with a tune that has got her where she is today.
And then the man of the hour Mr Steven Reed, here to save us from the drearyness and Sesame St rhyming of James Blunt and his fellow whiners. Showcasing the sensitive and touching writing that has won him a firm place in many hearts, Steve played an all-star set with appearances from Emma Rugg, Steve Bell, Baz from the Dirty Dreamers flexing both Spanish and lead guitar muscles for the culmination of the night. From acoustic to full band, Steve joined by Baz, Sara Favours, Rich Turismo and Simon Lutkin closed the night with some full band action and showed that not only are Steve’s songs great on their own but they’re open to a lot more. It’ll be interesting to see which direction he chooses to follow in future.
Charlotte Daniels
Kings Of Leon / The Features
@ Bridlington Spa
With a new sound and a new look the Kings of Leon teamed up with The Features and set out on a sell-out UK tour. To end this they played one hell of a show at Brid Spa which sold out in under a day!
The Features took to the stage with songs from their debut album, Exhibit A. But in my view lacked the energy and buzz to get a restless, sweaty crowd hyped up for the unbeatable KOL, sounding more like every other alternative band playing at a charity gig in a sleepy village to an audience of 10, The most lively track probably being Exhibit A. None the less there was a hyped crowd awaiting KOL as they casually strolled on stage in their skin tight jeans and vintage shoes.
A huge cheer and applause broke out as the famous opening notes of the bucket filled the building. Four kicks followed with King of the Rodeo, and some timeless classics such as Molly’s Chambers. The four Followhills sure know how to work a crowd there was sweat, blood and beer as the crowd danced, jumped and screamed as Caleb spat out the lyrics. It was an awesome Night but where was Red Morning Light? By far one of the best KOL songs of the 2 albums! Despite this minor disappointment it was one hell of a show and I would gladly welcome the Followhills back to East Yorkshire any day!
New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack
@ The Adelphi
Usually, this doesn't happen. Usually when one sees a band with such a low collective age the whole set is spent struggling to wrestle one's mind away from condescending "bless their cotton socks" thoughts. NYAAA, however, lunge into their set with a vigour and assuredness that I've seen lacking in stadium acts. This band are ahead of themselves, the music clawing for a space beyond the walls of this little venue like a polar bear takes on the means of captivity in a bad zoo. Bassist Matt Graham knows his Bradford roots and leads from the front with a galloping, mercurial performance, bridging the space between Tom Bairstow's virtuoso percussive bedrock and singer/guitarist Michael Davis' acid delivery and sparse, effective guitar. Judge musicians by what they don't play rather than what they do and you'll know good music.
Each of NYAAA's seven songs passes too quickly; each a cohesive, creative, invigorating piece. Davis's lyrics are not an end in themselves, the themes he touches on – conflict, extremes of feeling and such are direct enough to jack the listener straight into the emotional content of the music, much like Tool's Maynard Keenan, Roger Waters or where-is-he-now Strangelove frontman Patrick Duff.
The emotions of the listener live in the space between the notes and NYAAA understand this in a way they really have no right to this early in life. There I go with the age thing again, it's difficult not to when the subject matter possesses such an embarrassment of talent. That they already have something cohesive, tangible and of such quality is remarkable, that they are not yet signed is a fleeting moment in the big picture of a very promising career.
words: Mike Finlay, pic: Neal Osborne
The Favours / Harrisons / 2Ci
@ The Adelphi
Tonight sees another fabulous Sandman line up (ahem) bringing bands from across the regions together.
2Ci (not, apparently named after a small French car a drug-literate chum informs me) have obviously been brought up on a fairly strict diet of Stooges and MC5 and that noisy kind of thing. Furthermore they’ve dumped all the complex bits of rock’n’roll leaving, well, rock’n’roll. Singer Hudi, who, at around 8 feet tall, presumably needs more oxygen than most, currently has a 100 weight of bandages packing the hole in the side of his head after a recent ear operation. Consequently he’s in quiet mode today and doesn’t operate from his usual favoured position; in, and sometimes on, the audience. The band kick off though and right towards the end bring on a trumpeter for the sleazy, pounding Love Train. And fuck my old boots they’re transformed into a free jazz rock work out. Does it work out. Yes. Yes, it does. Catch ‘em when Hudi’s whole and they’ll take yer head off.
Second on the bill although they probably won’t be playing second fiddle for very much longer are Sheffield's Harrisons who are currently the centre of this month’s media frenzy, well they’ve been doing pretty well for themselves and even done a session for Steve Lamacq. The Harrisons are obviously another band that have been inspired by the greats gone by with big chunks of The Clash and The Jam evident in their set although there is also something that allures a bit to Feargal Sharkey and maybe even a bit of Bryan Ferry in there too. Needless to say these are definitely of the early 80’s school of British rock and have trilby to suit. The songs are good and have shouty catchy choruses to sucker you in and stamp your foot to and I am particularly impressed with the simultaneous drumming and tambourine playing exhibited. When these boys take on the opportunity that is about to be afforded to them I think they will become a great band.
Ah, our favourite Favours and even though we here are still adjusting to the new line up there is no way you could loose them from your heart. Sounding darker, rockier and more brooding The Favours still manage to power out their incredible sound. Previous pop classics may be struggling a little but they can still write great songs as proven by their new material. One song rips straight into Smashing Pumpkins territory and then tears into heartbreaking pop. Given just that bit more time to cement into their new form and I think once again they’ll be an unbeatable force.
Hanna Houghton
