Wednesday 26 February 2020
Wednesday 7 August 2019
Monday 1 July 2019
Festival season
I'm not liking this gap between gigs, I have a hankering to be at a live music event, unfortunately that thing called life got in the way since my last post, I even missed Download, but theres so many fantastic festivals big & small happening over the coming months.
Let's hope the weather gods are kind to us as it's always a tad nicer enjoying blooming good music in the sunshine!
So here's a just a few shows coming up. I will be making up for my lack of gigs & travelling up & down the country, just hoping the old jalopy holds out!
https://www.ramblinmanfair.com/
Let's hope the weather gods are kind to us as it's always a tad nicer enjoying blooming good music in the sunshine!
So here's a just a few shows coming up. I will be making up for my lack of gigs & travelling up & down the country, just hoping the old jalopy holds out!
Monday 3 June 2019
Sharing some Soul
Friday 31st May saw the hometown show for The Rising Souls at La Belle Angele Edinburgh.
A show I'd been eagerly awaiting since seeing the guys on Easter Sunday in Sheffield for a short but sweet set. This had certainly whet my appetite to hear more from them.
This was their own show which promised old fave tracks & some new ones the guys had been teasing us all with tantalising little snippets posted on social media in the lead up to the event.
A six hour drive up through the Scottish borders to our hotel in Musselburgh ( easier to get a good start in the morning missing being stuck in the Edinburgh traffic) our base for the night is the Premier inn.
Hour & half to change & chill before we head into the city to meet some friends that I personally hadn't seen for around 5 years, so suffice to say with the excitement of seeing this awesome band again I had the added bonus of meeting up with lovely folks & to me that's a huge part of my gig going. The fans of live music who travel to see bands become part of a more widespread "rock family" & getting to experience stunning music with like minded people makes for some fantastic memories that's for sure!
My 1st visit to the famous Bannermans, really cool venue with a fab rock bar was where we decided to have a bevy before the doors open across the road at La Belle Angele.
The bands choice of venue was fab, started in the 90's and became synonymous with the underground scene but burnt down in 2002 when a fire caught from Cowgate the street adjacent. It was rebuilt in 2014, holds around 550 I would say, nice wide room with the bar far enough away from the stage so you can't hear all the noise from the punters chopsing instead of enjoying the music! Go figure it's a gig why buy a ticket just so you can natter at the bar?
Anyway 1st up its Jack Rabbit Slams, 3 piece from Glasgow. The guys definitely set the tone for the evening with an energetic rock n roll set, heavy, choppy riffs with attitude. Will definitely check them out again.
La Belle has filled up more now, looks like a sold out show to me.
Pyro are from Bathgate West Lothian, a rock indie two piece who had a really great sound, some punchy tunes from Connor McCarthy on vocals & drums & Cameron McLean on guitar & backing vocals. Another cool emerging band to look out for.
So here we are the long anticipated hometown show from The Rising Souls! They open up with the track released last year Roulette Roulette really gets the crowd going & you can feel the energy in the room .
Followed by Lay Me Down which is the song that switched me onto the band. The soulful vocals mixed with heavy riffs, quite literally music to my ears.
The guys serve up a set including tracks from their EP Set Me Free & some rather excellent new tracks. I'm Coming was my favourite of the new material. Their heavy bluesy rock sound with Kelso on bass, Ciaran on guitar ( the new addition to the band who did a mighty fine job!) Reece on drums & Dave with his deliciously powerful soulful voice all makes for an incredibly exciting sounding band. Judging from the reaction of the audience I think The Rising Souls did exactly what they intended on doing......they blew us away!
This band is on it's way up in my humble opinion & a few hundred other folks at that show!
Get out to see them at Steelhouse on Friday 26th July.
http://www.therisingsouls.com/
A show I'd been eagerly awaiting since seeing the guys on Easter Sunday in Sheffield for a short but sweet set. This had certainly whet my appetite to hear more from them.
This was their own show which promised old fave tracks & some new ones the guys had been teasing us all with tantalising little snippets posted on social media in the lead up to the event.
A six hour drive up through the Scottish borders to our hotel in Musselburgh ( easier to get a good start in the morning missing being stuck in the Edinburgh traffic) our base for the night is the Premier inn.
Hour & half to change & chill before we head into the city to meet some friends that I personally hadn't seen for around 5 years, so suffice to say with the excitement of seeing this awesome band again I had the added bonus of meeting up with lovely folks & to me that's a huge part of my gig going. The fans of live music who travel to see bands become part of a more widespread "rock family" & getting to experience stunning music with like minded people makes for some fantastic memories that's for sure!
My 1st visit to the famous Bannermans, really cool venue with a fab rock bar was where we decided to have a bevy before the doors open across the road at La Belle Angele.
The bands choice of venue was fab, started in the 90's and became synonymous with the underground scene but burnt down in 2002 when a fire caught from Cowgate the street adjacent. It was rebuilt in 2014, holds around 550 I would say, nice wide room with the bar far enough away from the stage so you can't hear all the noise from the punters chopsing instead of enjoying the music! Go figure it's a gig why buy a ticket just so you can natter at the bar?
Anyway 1st up its Jack Rabbit Slams, 3 piece from Glasgow. The guys definitely set the tone for the evening with an energetic rock n roll set, heavy, choppy riffs with attitude. Will definitely check them out again.
La Belle has filled up more now, looks like a sold out show to me.
Pyro are from Bathgate West Lothian, a rock indie two piece who had a really great sound, some punchy tunes from Connor McCarthy on vocals & drums & Cameron McLean on guitar & backing vocals. Another cool emerging band to look out for.
So here we are the long anticipated hometown show from The Rising Souls! They open up with the track released last year Roulette Roulette really gets the crowd going & you can feel the energy in the room .
The guys serve up a set including tracks from their EP Set Me Free & some rather excellent new tracks. I'm Coming was my favourite of the new material. Their heavy bluesy rock sound with Kelso on bass, Ciaran on guitar ( the new addition to the band who did a mighty fine job!) Reece on drums & Dave with his deliciously powerful soulful voice all makes for an incredibly exciting sounding band. Judging from the reaction of the audience I think The Rising Souls did exactly what they intended on doing......they blew us away!
This band is on it's way up in my humble opinion & a few hundred other folks at that show!
Get out to see them at Steelhouse on Friday 26th July.
Monday 20 May 2019
Friday 17 May 2019
Roadtrip
A road trip was well over due, so off we went to Gravesend & then popped over to France as you do.
It was my 1st trip to Leo's in Gravesend, well my first visit to Gravesend full stop. We arrived at the Premier Inn around 2ish after collecting the 3rd member of our little road crew from Luton airport.
We checked in & had food in the pub next to the hotel.
Not our greatest experience to say the least, it was Friday lunchtime & the pub was pretty busy, we were greeted by a very stressed looking waiter, thought he was gonna blow a gasket when we asked if we could sit in a quieter area of the restaurant. No was the answer! We ordered food & drinks, two out of the three drinks were non/ low alcoholic. Twice the same drink came back wrong, it wasn't really that difficult!
Anyway back to the matter in hand seeing 3 fabulous bands.
The venue is 5 mins drive away, The Red Lion is situated on an industrial estate, not really where you'd expect to find a great music pub.
The walls of the bar are covered with lots photos from bands that have played there previously, it certainly has a long history of music.
First up we have Gorilla Riot who I recently saw at Crazy Cowboy III where they played a storming set to a very appreciative crowd, this they did again, to a room that was filling up the room next to the main bar. We are asked to vacate whilst they set up for the next band so it's back into the main bar for a drink.
Collateral are up next, they have been all over social media recently so I was looking forward to seeing them. To be honest they weren't my cup of tea, I prefer something a bit more original but the crowd seemed to love them. The media hype seemed to have stirred up quite a following, I'm sure they will go further, there are plenty that like glam rock still.
Next day it's onward to the channel tunnel, we are early & manage to pretty much drive straight on an earlier train. Time for a picnic whilst we are whizzing under the channel, by the time we are finished we have arrived in France. The town of Givenchy En Gohelle is around 1.30hrs away, we have rooms booked at the Ibis in Bethune Bruay, we have stayed here before, about 20mins from the festival.
Arrived at the venue around 4.15pm just in time to say quick hellos to a couple of the organisers & the bands. Its held in what looks like a social club in the town, very well organised we have wrist bands & tokens to buy drinks.
First up is Slayde, then Crossplane, Headblaster, Fear Mother Rage. Gorilla Riot & another stonking set from Bad Touch. The festival is a great success, sold out & the French absolutely love Bad Touch, being their 3rd trip over to an event by these promoters. Managed to have a chat with the guys & a few daft photos then it's back to the hotel for much needed kip.
Back on the road by 10am & it's not long before we are back in Blighty & on our way home. It's been a fantastic trip full of laughs, meeting up with friends old & new & lots of talented bands. And breathe....what a weekend, what a road trip!
It was my 1st trip to Leo's in Gravesend, well my first visit to Gravesend full stop. We arrived at the Premier Inn around 2ish after collecting the 3rd member of our little road crew from Luton airport.
We checked in & had food in the pub next to the hotel.
Not our greatest experience to say the least, it was Friday lunchtime & the pub was pretty busy, we were greeted by a very stressed looking waiter, thought he was gonna blow a gasket when we asked if we could sit in a quieter area of the restaurant. No was the answer! We ordered food & drinks, two out of the three drinks were non/ low alcoholic. Twice the same drink came back wrong, it wasn't really that difficult!
Anyway back to the matter in hand seeing 3 fabulous bands.
The venue is 5 mins drive away, The Red Lion is situated on an industrial estate, not really where you'd expect to find a great music pub.
The walls of the bar are covered with lots photos from bands that have played there previously, it certainly has a long history of music.
First up we have Gorilla Riot who I recently saw at Crazy Cowboy III where they played a storming set to a very appreciative crowd, this they did again, to a room that was filling up the room next to the main bar. We are asked to vacate whilst they set up for the next band so it's back into the main bar for a drink.
Collateral are up next, they have been all over social media recently so I was looking forward to seeing them. To be honest they weren't my cup of tea, I prefer something a bit more original but the crowd seemed to love them. The media hype seemed to have stirred up quite a following, I'm sure they will go further, there are plenty that like glam rock still.
The venue is sold out & after being right down the front for Gorilla Riot theres no chance of getting anywhere near for headliners Bad Touch.
Stevie & the boys start off as they mean to go on & treat us to a set mixed with many tracks from their current album Shake A Leg & older much loved songs, Outlaw, Soulshaker, 99%. They have the crowd dancing & singing in this very hot n sweaty room. One & all seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves not least the band. It's a great night in a good venue.Next day it's onward to the channel tunnel, we are early & manage to pretty much drive straight on an earlier train. Time for a picnic whilst we are whizzing under the channel, by the time we are finished we have arrived in France. The town of Givenchy En Gohelle is around 1.30hrs away, we have rooms booked at the Ibis in Bethune Bruay, we have stayed here before, about 20mins from the festival.
Arrived at the venue around 4.15pm just in time to say quick hellos to a couple of the organisers & the bands. Its held in what looks like a social club in the town, very well organised we have wrist bands & tokens to buy drinks.
First up is Slayde, then Crossplane, Headblaster, Fear Mother Rage. Gorilla Riot & another stonking set from Bad Touch. The festival is a great success, sold out & the French absolutely love Bad Touch, being their 3rd trip over to an event by these promoters. Managed to have a chat with the guys & a few daft photos then it's back to the hotel for much needed kip.
Back on the road by 10am & it's not long before we are back in Blighty & on our way home. It's been a fantastic trip full of laughs, meeting up with friends old & new & lots of talented bands. And breathe....what a weekend, what a road trip!
Monday 22 April 2019
Better than chocolate!
Easter Sundays should always spent this way in my book!
Roadrage festival held at the Corporation Sheffield was in its 1st year, with bands on 2 stages, great food stalls & lots of lovely motorbikes to be drooled over.
I have to admit I went to see one band in particular The Rising Souls.
After hearing them for the 1st time earlier this year on the radio I think,this was my first chance to see them live. To say I was a tad excited would be an understatement!
Arriving at the venue around 12.15pm I found Baranovitch were in full swing, great to see Steve & was a fab set.
I had a quick wander round bumped into friends then into the main room for a set from Silverjet.
Really enjoyed their energetic new rock sound. Shame that they were on early in the day as they would've drawn a bigger crowd later on in proceedings.
Up next were the band I've been raving about on social media for the last 3 months. I took my place on the barrier even though I was without my usual cohorts which is totally unheard of, I usually like to shy away from the front if I'm on my own but this was a set I wanted to experience totally. It was indeed the right decision!
Right from the moment the guys stepped on stage I was totally blown away, such a tight band, with Roy, Ciaran , Reece and the truly incredible vocals from Dave. They played tracks from their EP Set Me Free & a new song aswell. At first there weren't too many watching but they soon came as they hear Dave's soulful voice & bluesy rock with hints of Rival Sons & The Temperance Movement.
They seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves & new guitarist Ciaran seems very at home.
The set is over far too soon for me. A much larger crowd than from the start show their appreciation & were wanting more, fantastic to see!
The guys go to sign some merch & have photos taken, with nice little queue that had built up for them.
Then a little while later it's up to the VIP lounge for a little acoustic set. Unfortunately it seems the timings have been slightly mixed up...but after chilling with a beer & catching up Dave takes his place on a stool in the corner of the lounge, due to the time mishap theres not too many upstairs which is a shame but gave it more of a cool feel.
Dave treated us to a chilled out set of beautiful songs, it was pretty special.
This band are on the way up, they have their own headline gig in Edinburgh 31st May & festival's such as Steelhouse & Winterstorm coming up.
Get out to see them & experience this incredible band, I for one will try to catch at every opportunity I can!
sharesomesoul
http://www.therisingsouls.com
Roadrage festival held at the Corporation Sheffield was in its 1st year, with bands on 2 stages, great food stalls & lots of lovely motorbikes to be drooled over.
I have to admit I went to see one band in particular The Rising Souls.
After hearing them for the 1st time earlier this year on the radio I think,this was my first chance to see them live. To say I was a tad excited would be an understatement!
Arriving at the venue around 12.15pm I found Baranovitch were in full swing, great to see Steve & was a fab set.
I had a quick wander round bumped into friends then into the main room for a set from Silverjet.
Really enjoyed their energetic new rock sound. Shame that they were on early in the day as they would've drawn a bigger crowd later on in proceedings.
Up next were the band I've been raving about on social media for the last 3 months. I took my place on the barrier even though I was without my usual cohorts which is totally unheard of, I usually like to shy away from the front if I'm on my own but this was a set I wanted to experience totally. It was indeed the right decision!
Right from the moment the guys stepped on stage I was totally blown away, such a tight band, with Roy, Ciaran , Reece and the truly incredible vocals from Dave. They played tracks from their EP Set Me Free & a new song aswell. At first there weren't too many watching but they soon came as they hear Dave's soulful voice & bluesy rock with hints of Rival Sons & The Temperance Movement.
They seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves & new guitarist Ciaran seems very at home.
The set is over far too soon for me. A much larger crowd than from the start show their appreciation & were wanting more, fantastic to see!
The guys go to sign some merch & have photos taken, with nice little queue that had built up for them.
Then a little while later it's up to the VIP lounge for a little acoustic set. Unfortunately it seems the timings have been slightly mixed up...but after chilling with a beer & catching up Dave takes his place on a stool in the corner of the lounge, due to the time mishap theres not too many upstairs which is a shame but gave it more of a cool feel.
Dave treated us to a chilled out set of beautiful songs, it was pretty special.
This band are on the way up, they have their own headline gig in Edinburgh 31st May & festival's such as Steelhouse & Winterstorm coming up.
Get out to see them & experience this incredible band, I for one will try to catch at every opportunity I can!
sharesomesoul
http://www.therisingsouls.com
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Friday 31st May saw the hometown show for The Rising Souls at La Belle Angele Edinburgh. A show I'd been eagerly awaiting since seeing ... -
Every Monday I will post 5 songs that are on my playlist for the week, my inspiration to have a good week. They will be a mix of old &...
