It’s been a great year to be a Foy Vance fan. He released his incredible new album The Wild Swan earlier in the year after signing to his dear friend Ed Sheeran’s record label Gingerbread Man Records. His track ‘Coco’ has been getting heavy airplay on BBC Radio 2 and the music video for ‘She Burns’ featuring Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars fame has been getting a fair bit of attention too. 2016 also saw him gathering new fans performing in front of ever larger crowds supporting the one and only Elton John on tour. Even though I have seen him live twice already I naturally leapt at the chance to see Foy in action in Leeds as part of his Wild Swan world tour. Continue reading
live review
Live Review: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, O2 Academy Leeds, 10th Nov 2016
When Colorado based singer/songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff made the bold move to hang up his life as a folk troubadour and instead decided to forge a new path in the form of old school rhythm & blues, I doubt he saw the success waiting for him on the horizon. With his eponymous debut album with his new backing band The Night Sweats he became one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 2015. With his infectiously fun and soulful performances he has been wowing audiences at some of the biggest festivals, appearing on some of the most popular tv shows and winning fans on both sides of the Atlantic. I caught him at the O2 Academy to see the main man in action. Continue reading
Live Review: Alex Hedley, The Troubadour London, 30th Aug 2016
Thanks to a gracious invitation from Cyber Nomad Records I found myself at the historic Troubadour in Earl’s Court, which over the years has hosted sets from everyone from Bob Dylan to Jimi Hendrix, to see the up-and-coming singer/songwriter Alex Hedley. Emerging from acclaimed indie folk four piece Saturday Sun, Alex has now embarked on a solo adventure and has recently released his debut EP Shadow Lake. With a dark, complex and ambitious folk style similar to Eaves, one of Belwood’s most celebrated artists, expectations were high for his intimate performance at this iconic venue. Continue reading
Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2016
For one brief golden weekend this gorgeous little patch of English countryside undoubtedly holds the title of the happiest place on Earth. As well as having built a reputation as one of the keenest eyes for new rising talent, Barn on the Farm above all else boasts an inescapable atmosphere of joy and togetherness. With so much in it’s favour it’s little wonder that I, along with the rest of the ever-growing Farm family, eagerly made my way back to my spiritual home for another year of incredible music and priceless memories. Continue reading
Live Review: The Lumineers, Albert Hall Manchester, 19th April 2016
With Mumford & Sons going electric, The Lumineers have wasted no time in snatching up the folk rock crown. With their latest album Cleopatra topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic the band are sitting pretty atop their new and duly deserved throne. They have come a long way since their massive hit ‘Ho Hey’ and their rapid rise shows no sign of slowing. But topping the charts is one thing, taking that album out on the road is another. I caught them at Manchester’s Albert Hall to experience the rustic warmth of their inviting Americana first-hand. Continue reading
Live Review: Rationale, The Bodega Nottingham, 31st March 2016
It feels like far too long since I’ve been to a concert, so it felt important that my first live music of the year should be something special. Having emerged out of anonymity, London based singer Rationale has already had his hit single ‘Something For Nothing’ playlisted on Radio 1 and has delivered the most acclaimed set at this year’s Future Festival at the legendary Maida Vale studios. It’s artists like him that are the ones making waves in British music, so I joined him in Nottingham to witness the latest step of his meteoric rise. Continue reading
Live Review: Roy Wood, Doncaster Dome, 29th Nov 2015
As the year draws to a close, Roy Wood has the honour of being my final concert of 2015. What better way to end the year than by seeing the Wizzard frontman to get me into the Christmas spirit. It promised to be an unbridled night of light-hearted fun and it more than delivered on that promise. Continue reading
Live Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Rock City Nottingham, 10th Nov 2015
Photo credit: Jordan Curtis Hughes
These four Llandudno lads have quickly become the hottest indie band in the world. They have toured relentlessly in support of their debut album ‘The Balcony’, including delivering one of the stand-out sets at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Even their harshest critics can’t deny that they are one of the best live acts around and the band have one of the first ever BBC Music Awards sitting proudly on their mantelpiece. Every stop on their latest UK tour was sold out, but I managed to squeeze in to a packed venue to see them in their element. Continue reading
Live Review: Father John Misty, The Plug Sheffield, 26th Oct 2015
Photo by Scott Hukins
After releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year, the flamboyant sarcastic pseudonym that is Father John Misty took to touring the UK. ‘I Love You, Honeybear’ takes songwriting into strange new territory. His off-the-wall lyrics are so unlike anything else. They captivate you in a way that makes you want half the album tattooed across your body, from the droll and deadpan (I just love the kind of woman who can walk over a man/I mean like a God damn marching band) to the personal and poetic (My love, you’re the one I want to watch the ship go down with). But the words mean so much more when you see the man behind them in action. Continue reading
Live Review: Joe Bonamassa, Leeds, 24th Oct 2015
Blues virtuoso Joe Bonamassa is one of the hardest working people in music. He was the opening act for the legendary BB King when he was only thirteen years old. He releases a new album nearly every year, the majority of which have gone straight to number one in the Billboard Blues charts. Influenced by Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rory Gallagher and Paul Kossoff, he consistently keeps the spirit of old school blues alive and kicking. Thankfully he took time out of his busy schedule to pay Leeds a visit. Continue reading
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