Words - Suzy Sims
Previously published on Native.tv http://www.native.tv in April 2007
(c) Niche News & Publishing Ltd
AMY MACDONALD / SAM BEETON
@ Eve Club, London, 25th April 2007
The newest owners of the Eve Club, just off Regent Street, must be suffering seven years of bad luck. They’re revelling in it through, with broken mirrors scattered across the ceiling like solid, upside-down puddles, reflecting the atmospheric lighting.
Coincidentally, seven years is roughly the time it takes the average gig goer to save up for a bottle of beer in said club. £4.50 a bottle! Bad luck indeed. Our horror cannot be sufficiently expressed with just the one exclamation mark.
!!!!!!!!
That’s better. It’s a stunning little venue, beautifully decorated with colour-changing ice patterns around the bar and much foliage; although being underground, the mobile phone signal is shit, forcing my gig buddy to send Sam Beeton’s street team hunting for me (and his ticket).
I arrive towards the end of Sam Beeton’s set. He’s an earnest looking singer-songwriter clutching an acoustic guitar and trying his darndest to wake up the small crowd which is trying to stand as far away from the stage as possible without looking rude. He seemed friendly and pleasant, and there’s a track up for grabs from his website.
Afterwards, Amy MacDonald wanders out from behind the curtain, hair tied to one side, looking like Rose Pipette’s sophisticated twin. Resplendent in silver vest top and armed with a guitar, she has a surprisingly deep and striking voice. Her music has similarities with KT Tunstall and The Kooks in places, along with Scottish folk.
First track ‘This Is The Life’ elicits casual headbopping from the crowd, apart from Twinkletoes at the front who is jigging out of time and unselfconsciously around what appears to be a man bag. He’s approximately 15 feet tall and stood directly in front of Amy. She can’t miss him.
At the end of the track, she invites the audience to stand marginally closer to the stage, shyly saying they don’t smell. Everyone does what she says and shuffles closer.
Forthcoming single ‘Poison Prince’ is next. This one’s already receiving radio play off Virgin and XFM and the like, and it’s a catchy little number. More people push forwards and jog along to this. Other tracks tonight are ‘Youth Of Today’, written when she was 15 “after getting in trouble with a shopkeeper,” ‘LA’, downloadable from her website and future summer single ‘Mr Rock & Roll’, a nice & lively one.
The set is briefly interrupted with technical difficulties forcing a guitar swap and Amy apologises profusely and asks if anyone knows any jokes to stop “the awkward silence.” Her band say they only know dirty ones.
‘The Footballer’s Wife’ is an angry diatribe against non-celebrity celebrities; your reality TV contestants as opposed to your Marilyn Monroes. ‘Barrowlands Ballroom’ is a lively stormer and I could see it going down immensely well in Glasgow, especially at the Barrowlands itself. I half expected a stage invasion during this one, such was the level of Scottishness in the crowd (I briefly wondered if it was a requirement to get in and I had somehow accidentally sneaked past their radar).
It was a short set which finished with Killers-inspired ‘Run’. Amy said tonight was the first time she’d had dancers – Mr Twinkletoes looked rather pleased with himself – and claimed this song would be too hard to groove along to. Oh, but he managed it.
The songs are strummed indie rockers with a poppy tinge and are definitely radio-friendly and personal. Great night and great songs from a singer with charm and humanity. Amy MacDonald is a delicate star in the making. She’s already on her way, having only supported Travis and played to a far larger crowd the previous night. It can’t be too long before she outgrows the likes of the beautiful Eve. Let’s just hope that as she rises, the alcohol prices fall…
Amy MacDonald
Sam Beeton
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FIELDS / HUSH THE MANY / RED CAMPION
@ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, 18th April 2007
Happy and joyful, Fields get the crowd smiling
Despite spending ages looking for parking, we’ve arrived surprisingly early to see Fields play, only 15 minutes after the doors opened. I’m usually early for gigs though – I’m not one of those journos at the back with pen and paper, I’m usually at the front trying to text myself random notes while people jump up and down and knock me about. It’s more fun that way. But there aren’t many people around at all, and there’s already an ominous half circle of folded arms forming several metres from the stage.
First up are local band Red Campion. At once gentle and powering, their music predicted overcast times ahead and was heavy as treacle. My friend was impressed to see the drummer playing with ‘pastry brushes’ and commented that the speed of his playing/whisking surely meant he was an expert at making omelettes.
The band were sadly suffering technical difficulties, resulting in a few delays and guitar swaps, but the band’s banter and cheerful weariness prevented the audience from becoming too distracted. The cello gave a sense of striking drama and authority to the music.
Next on stage were Hush The Many. They took to the stage, heads bowed as if deep in thought. This band also had a cello centre stage, but this one was an amazing shape, carved and spacious. It bore an uncanny resemblance to a skeleton and we felt slightly afraid.
The set started with a repetitive, melodramatic boom from the drums. It had the potential to annoy everyone – then suddenly Hush The Many exploded into a wicked folky, vibrant racket. It was awesome and our jaws dropped. At the end there was a stunned silence then uproarious applause. Main vocalist Nima explained they’d never opened with that one before.
The songs were retro, echoing and plaintive. They had a sense of loneliness and power. Stylish bassist Alexandra had such a delicate whisper of a voice, and Nima was all charm although slightly bewildered at how well they were going down. Violinist Matt was a new addition for the night to replace an absent guitarist, and he fitted in just dandy.
The half-circle of folded arms, which had been edging closer, turned into a group of tall people obscuring my view. Good to see people getting to the front though. Overrunning slightly after more technical difficulties, we wondered if Fields would be allowed to play a full set. No-one seemed to mind them running way past 11pm though, especially when we sang Happy Birthday to Nima halfway through.
Singer/guitarist Nick Peill, singer/keyboardist Thorunn Antonia, guitarist Jamie Putnam and bassist Matty Derham were uplifting and cheerful, with the synthesisers arcing sky-high over proceedings as the band openly fought with demons in their guitars. There was a definite dress code of stripes, apart from one of the guitarists (or was it the bassist?) who appeared to be wearing a low cut woman’s top.
The crowd spent much of the set asking for ‘Song For The Fields’. The band would tease everyone back – “and this track… is not ‘Song For The Fields’,” vocalist Nick Peill would say, while Thorunn laughed and managed the amazing trick of making an accordion look sexy. Songs tonight included 'Schoolbooks' and 'Charming The Flames'.
There is something comforting in the happiness of Fields. The band had perfect harmonies and sounded joyful, though many of the tracks sounded very similar in style but it might just be that I'm unfamiliar with their work. They were beautifully enjoyable, although it was Hush The Many who stunned the crowd.
Fields
Hush The Many
Red Campion
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THE MACCABEES / JACK PEÑATE
@ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, 26th April 2007
It’s amazing the difference the lack of a support act can have on the crowd. Gigs generally have three bands, and whoever is first onstage usually has not much in the way of an audience as people take their time arriving.
Tonight however, it’s just The Maccabees and Jack Peñate, both well-known names and great fun. Everyone is here on time. The Wedgewood Rooms has sold out. Half an hour after doors opening and it’s already taking an age to get served at the bar. Anyway, back to the gig...
My gig buddy is looking nervous. The person I usually drag around is off ill so someone else has stepped in to relieve me of my spare ticket. The thing is, he’s never been to a gig before and I think my tales of sweaty crowdsurfers, stage invasions and bruises the size of planets might have tipped him into panic. He goes to drown his nerves in vodka (apparently it’s healthier than beer). Anyway, back to the gig...
Jack Peñate takes the stage in jeans and a lumberjack shirt. We’re stood behind some of his main fans who are bounding around each other in a rugby huddle, yelling the words and phoning their friends. In some places his music reminds me of The Jam or The Specials. It’s summery, indie ska in places, and is very enjoyable.
It only takes a few songs for the crowdsurfers to start queuing up to hurl themselves at the stage fruitlessly, each one landing safe in the arms of a burly bouncer.
My friend is smiling and nodding along to the music. He’s not scared any more. Thank goodness for that. Songs tonight include recent single ‘Spit At Stars’, and everyone yells along.
Jack Peñate himself is pummelling his guitar and occasionally launching himself towards the mic with the unhinged stare of a madman. He recommends the barber around the corner, and slates the Mexican restaurant for its crap service. His set is lively and great fun.
It doesn’t take too long for The Maccabees to walk out on stage – I thought with only two acts there would be enormous gaps between the sets, but it’s not that bad. Up go the crowdsurfers again and the rest of the audience moves closer for some bouncing. Orlando Weeks’ overly emotional voice yelps and wavers dramatically through their songs, while the guitars twist and jerk. The Maccabees have a wonderfully creative style and bite to them, but it's not so bizarre that people aren't sure how to react. Everyone is bouncing on the spot and waving their arms.
The set tonight includes ‘Latchmere’, ‘About Your Dress’, next single ‘Precious Time’, ‘All Your Rows’, ‘Tissue Shoulders’, and the beautifully named (and sounding) ‘Toothpaste Kisses’.
There’s a little happy hardcore of Maccabees fans stood at the front, hands aloft and waving exactly in time with the drumbeats, even performing little rolls and the like. Every so often the first few rows are illuminated with brilliant purple strobe lighting, making everything seem a little crazy.
The chant for the encore goes a little bit like ‘FIRSTLOVEFIRSTLOVEFIRSTLOVE’ but it’s a reasonably calm cheer. The crowd knows the band are coming back on, so everyone finishes their drinks and waits patiently. We’re then treated to ‘Sore Throat’ and a brilliant performance of ‘First Love’, a song which starts all gentleness and warmth before stirring into tense emotion and making everyone jump about.
It was a top night out and both bands are brilliantly lively. Southerners can take comfort in knowing both have now been confirmed for Brighton's Great Escape, so if you missed your chance to catch up on them tonight then wait a couple of weeks before heading over to the Sussex sands/stones.
‘Nothing's perfect / I'm hoping I'll do’. Thank you Maccabees, you certainly will.
The Maccabees
Jack Peñate
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