Our resident music journalist John Hayton loves it too. But what did he make of the night’s mix of virgin and tested talent?
MusicNet Live Review
Performing live were:
acoustic soloist Alan Ronson, from Rowlands Gill, Tyne & Wear;
Cyber Metal Meisters Iridium, from Middlesbrough, Teesside;
Hard House DJ Michael Medd, from Middlesbrough, Teesside;
and Indie outfit Gravity Switch, from Newcastle, Tyne & Wear.
Master of Ceremonies was:
DJ David Hazel, from Darlington, Co. Durham.
The Dickens Inn is a well situated venue too with a good chunk of the town’s student population based on its doorstep. This venue has to be a must for any touring band taking in Teesside.
Our resident music journalist John Hayton loves it too. But what did he make of the night’s mix of virgin and tested talent?
Thus it is that we see young David Hazel bound up onstage all but resplendent in a sparkley jacket and welcome all and sundry, warmly and enthusiastically to tonight's event; 'starting with Alan Robinson!!!’ - Unfortunately a little of the effect was lost when Alan Robson pointed out his real name!
|
Alan Robson (soloist) - And thus it was that the ultimate nightmare threatened to unfold before us. It is no secret that performing solo and acoustic ranks as one of the most terrifying scenarios imaginable. In the baleful glare of the spotlight, acutely aware of the people in the room, like a rabbit in the acute glow of on-coming headlamps, Alan seemed very small, very frightened and very alone. Even to the point of apologising profusely before even playing a note. Then he started to play. And suddenly everything was just fine!. Fantastic songs, each well crafted and flawlessly played. The singing was perhaps most remarkable. As Alan will doubtless agree, this, his first ever gig, left him very nervous so to sing his songs with never a wobble or croak, moreover to sing songs more complex than the average with voice so strong and sure was a blinding success. Unlike many other acts, Robson showed a diversity befitting his obvious talents, thus it was that we heard a selection of styles: standard folk, lullabies, quirky, pop. Each song obviously different in style from the previous, linked only by the quality of delivery, the strength of song and the growing admiration of the crowd. For a first gig, Robson's debut was a phenomenal success. [ Contact the Artist(s) ] [ Next ] [ Top ] |
|
Iridium - Next up where Cyber metal breakneck meisters Iridium. It must be said these chaps came with full domination in mind and the strength of their songs and undoubted playing prowess allowed them to leave their mark with many a nod of approval. In stark contrast to Robson's meek understated set, Iridium (apparently the heaviest metal) took the smoke ridden stage confidently and proceeded to Rock! Keeping the approach as much about melody as power they succeeded in keeping their set open to people out-side the metal genre and the songs were well crafted and very well performed. Heads banging and baggy pants stomping the chaps put on a fine show. A couple of things - while they obviously enjoyed themselves (something I love to see in a band) they rarely looked the audience in the eye. There is always more to a venue than the floor - take the time the look at the people you are entertaining. The other thing was the keyboards - should have been utilised more to give the sound more depth - Good songs, well played deserve more than occasional samples from the keyboards! But this is just a minor gripe for a fine performance. [ Contact the Artist(s) ] [ Next ] [ Previous ] [ Top ] |
|
Michael Medd (DJ) - DJ , Michael Medd broke up the grinding strain of full metal domination with some pretty damn strong stuff of his own. As is often the case, the DJs at these affairs are in danger of being overlooked as, because they are NOT on stage, people may perceive them as not performing! It is fortunate then that Medd makes a sonic soundscape strong enough to penetrate the chitchat and bar talk and demand our attention. Mixing up-tempo with slower passages the Meddster keeps the sound fluid, changing and vital - and fine, a solid set. As a pointer to the organisers however future events may well benefit from a more prominent setting for the DJs skills. With tonight's sounds a success and everyone making the right noises it would be a nice touch to give the artists some stage presence to project. If only to give the punters a break from craning their necks to find out where all that musics coming from! [ Contact the Artist(s) ] [ Next ] [ Previous ] [ Top ] |
|
Gravity Switch - Set closers Gravity Switch keep the rock vein alive tonight with a fine closing set of rock somewhere below metal but thankfully beyond the AOR pub rock that this genre can be so guilty of! The music on show here was busy and varied. Each song explored a variety of different ideas keeping each of them lively and always with somewhere intriguing to go. Guitar man Brendan Glennie managed to give the songs added depth by thoughtful and in places restrained but effective playing style - succeeding in making this four piece sound like a far bigger group. Again the curse of shoe gazing threatened to detract from the tonight's show (look at the people you are being paid to entertain!). Added to this the vocals suffered a little from straying from the powerful to the shrieky, but this does little to detract from a good solid performance of great songs.
With rumoured interest from Neat Records it could be worth keeping an ear out for possible future Gravitial rumblings.
[ Contact the Artist(s) ] [ Previous ] [ Top ] |
An MBR Music & Business initiative © 2002
