Lick Online - Live

>> Academy
>> 28th April 2006

Mad Mike Skinner eh. What else can be said? The Academy is jumping tonight and he knows it.

The Streets are out promoting not-quite-as-good-as-the-last album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, but I get the impression from the hit-filled set that this new album is just an excuse to get back on the road. The emotional It's Too Late, old classic Let's Push Things Forward and the stand-out of the night Blinded By The Lights are all given space on the set list despite the new album, and Mr Skinner & Co. make the Academy their own.

I remember Mike Skinner at T in the Park last year banging on about how he wants to write a number one anthem (as well as avoiding flying Irn Bru bottles from the crowd), and he can't seem to get over this hump as he tries to fit almost every number one I he could think of over his band's beats. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Don't Cha and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy to name a few.

However, The Streets are set to release another crackin' balled of their own, and who knows - a number one may not be too far away. Never Went to Church is arguably the standout of the latest album, as Mike pours out his feelings towards his late father. Tonight he looks visibly moved as the track comes to a close and Leo the Lion ad-libs the last few bars. But his mood changes to one of defience as opening track on his debut album Turn The Page kicks in, and out bounces Leo again (this time dressed in a boxer’s robe) as the atmosphere builds.

I’d also like to give a mention to the men behind the man. Side-kick Leo has a fantastic voice and really came out of shell tonight while the band (especially the drummer) are absolutely spot-on. When the drums speed was doubled towards the end of Blinded by the Lights, the whole place erupts and I get a flashback to a 1990 rave and for some reason have a strange urge to take Ecstasy…

Another great Streets performance comes to a close in Glasgow, and it’s only the piss-poor sound in the Academy that let’s the evening down. This new album may be lacking something, but he still remains the best observational lyricist out there. Fittingly, he makes the weak feel like heroes.

>> Joe Sach

www.the-streets.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thestreets

>> King Tuts
>> 27th April 2006

Last night I was in an unenviable position. A text message invite was sitting on the old mobile phone assuring me my place at Thursday evening’s Field Music gig. Somewhat cruelly, on my table there was a pile of four essays needing urgent attention. And, finally, there’s myself, with a big metaphorical blitzkreig raging between the opposing factions of my conscience. So what do you do? You say ‘F**k it’ and sit down with your laptop to finish the essays. And then half an hour later you say ‘F**k it’ again while strapping on your cycle helmet and heading to St Vincent St.

I suppose the point is this – essays are shitter than gigs…

… especially so in tonight’s case. The mighty Seal Cub Clubbing Club from Liverpool stepped up early to deliver the best support slot I’ve seen in bloody ages. With a mere two eps available to the generally general public you’d be forgiven for not expecting too much, but, like me, you’d have been blown away.

I’ve not seen a front man so engrossed in sound since, well since ever. The songs are frisky little blighters too – rarely settling on one time signature and always with bigger and brighter ideas just on the horizon waiting to snag you. I’ll give it to you that the band name is gonna be enough to put a lot of people off (although they said that about Arctic Monkeys) but if you’re open enough to give them a try, the SCCC will drop your jaw.

And then! Playing its first Scottish headline date: Field Music. Shamefully Tut’s was only half full for this occasion. That’s right, I said shamefully! Hang your heads and think about what you’ve done! Or not done. Anyway, the boys didn’t seem terribly fazed and, going by the strength of the set, were out to deliver a good night.

Airing ‘If Only the Moon Were Up’ fairly early in the set they were on top form from the off. The set whisked around at a fair old rate but the sound maintained the crystal edginess of the album and singles. ‘Tell Me Keep Me’ is just an awesome tune while ‘You Can Decide’ airs and cements their Beatles/Beach Boys harmonic drive and genuinely imaginative arrangement skills.

There was even time for two new tunes and a b-side during the encore-less set and it really is a challenge to remember that this is a part-time band. The guys all have jobs; they write and record in their spare time and rarely tour. All this and they still piss from a great height on the many, many full-time booze, crack and glitz poseurs on the scene. There was no dry ice, light show or hangers on: the only thing spectacular was the music and the grounded attitudes with which it was delivered.

Seriously, if I’d missed tonight I would’ve been kicking myself for months. Next time an essay tries to guilt trip you into not living your life you can tell it to piss off from me.

>> Russell Moore

www.field-music.co.uk
www.thesealcubclubbingclub.com

Field Music INTERVIEW:

Lick: Hello! How are you?
Peter Brewis: I’m fine, I’m fine.

Lick: For anyone who doesn’t know Field Music can you tell us a bit about yourself?
PB: Well Me, Andy and Dave are Field Music. Me and Dave are brothers and we all went to the same school so that’s how we met. I think the first time we ever played together was for Andy’s GCSE music performance about 12 years ago. I think it was blues in F or something like that and we’ve just played together on and off ever since. I mean these guys were the first people I ever played with and will probably be the last people I ever play with!

Lick: Do you ever feel like expanding the band at all?
PB: Yeah well we think about expanding the band all the time. We audition people and they’re not very good! Usually I want to expand the band and add people that are already in other bands unfortunately. I think Barry Hyde [of the Futureheads] is probably quite busy at the moment and I think Tom English from Maximo Park is probably quite busy as well.

Lick: Yeah they’re doing not bad for themselves at the moment!

[Pete's Brother Dave Brewis joins us at the table]

Lick: I know you did the Barrowlands show with Maximo Park just before Christmas, but have you played in Glasgow other than that?
DB: Yeah we’ve played a few times before, not as Field Music though but in another band that we were all in, in the early days. The Barrowlands gig was great, a really good gig actually. It’s just a shame that we had to drive home straight afterwards that night. Oh, and we also played with British Sea Power at the University.

Lick: Have the all been good gigs then? Good crowd and stuff?
PB: Yeah well they weren’t there to see us but they seemed to enjoy it.
DB: The British Sea Power one was weird because they actually did two sets. They did a b-sides set before us and then their normal set after us and the crowd reacted to their first set as if they were a support band which was strange but in general the gigs have been really good up here. I’m really looking forward to finally playing in King Tuts cos everyone I’ve spoken to has told me how good a venue it is. It sounds nice you know? And the shape of the room is really nice.

Lick: Are then any plans for a second album then? I know the first album was out last year.
PB: Yeah we’re nearly finished the second one and that should be out in September hopefully.

Lick: You mentioned the Maximo Park guys and the Futurehead guys before, are you quite friendly with them then?
PB: Yeah I would say so! It’s a small town [Sunderland] you know so everyone really knows everyone. Well, that’s not really true I suppose…
DB: We were friends with the Futureheads before there was even a thing called the Futureheads or Field Music. Yeah we’ve know Barry and Dave for a really long time.
PB: And we’ll know them long after Field Music I’m sure.
DB: We’ll still know them when we’ve all retired and are just sitting around mowing our lawns. Dave’s a very committed gardener you see.
PB: And he’s learning to drive.
DB: He’s not a very committed driver though. Still hasn’t passed his test and his cars broken! As for the Maximo Park guys we actually met them through just gigging in Newcastle. Peter goes out and gets lashed with Paul Smith all the time and he seems to be sleeping in our house all the time!

Lick: do you have any plans for the summer at all? Any festival appearances?
DB: We’re doing a few dates with the Futureheads that ends about June and then we’ll be planning another tour to promote the second album I think.

Lick: Well thank you very much guys. Here’s your Lickmag.com quick fire questions!

Scotland or England?
PB: England
DB: Scotland!
Glasgow or Edinburgh?
DB: Glasgow
Celtic or Rangers?
PB: Sunderland
Ghostbusters 1 or Ghostbusters 2?
PB: Ghostbusters 1
DB: Actually Ghostbusters 2 because it’s got Jackie Wilson in it. I’m not as fond of the film but just to see the statue of liberty dancing about to *sings – Your Love is Taking Me Higher* - it’s a classic.
Kylie or Danni?
PB: Kylie
DB: Kylie
Mars or Snickers?
PB: Snickers
DB: Yep, Snickers
Beatles or the Stones?
PB: Beatles
DB: Beatles
Futureheads of Maximo Park?
PB: It’ll have to be the Futureheads.
DP: Yeah musically they float my boat.
PB: Plus they're from Sunderland and Maximo Park are a bunch of filthy mags!
Beard or Moustache?
PB: Well the Beard signifies Indie, while the moustache just signifies Reynolds. Pure Burt Reynolds.
DB: Yeah whatever the Reynolds has that’s my answer. Beard of Moustache? – Reynolds!


www.field-music.co.uk
www.thesealcubclubbingclub.com

>> Carling Academy
>> 12st April 2006

In 2005, few people had heard of young Las Vegas outfit “Panic! At The Disco”. In 2006, however, the band have been accelerating to super stardom at immeasurable pace, leaving many 14 year old girls (and guys…) hot under the collar. Tonight’s gig is proof of this as it had been first scheduled for the cathouse, before selling out phenomenally quickly, forcing it to be upsized to the majestic Carling Academy.

After an excruciatingly painful couple of opening acts (keep away from Forgive Durden and definitely keep the hell away from Men, Women And Children), Panic! At The Disco take to the stage to an eerie backing track and near deafening applause before launching into fan favourite “The Only Difference Between Suicide And Martyrdom Is Press Coverage”.

The sound at first is a little muffled with barely any guitar or bass to be heard over the vocals, drums and the all important backing track, and it does take the band a couple of songs to get into top gear but the crowd don’t seem to care: there’s not a still body or mouth that isn’t singing in the venue. Stand out songs from the set, which included every track from their debut album “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” as well as a Counting Crows and Third Eye Blind cover, included “Time To Dance” and “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”, with the latter allowing singer Brendon Urie to step back from the microphone handing over the vocal duties to the crowd.

However, despite proving themselves as one of the bands of 2006 on cd, they failed to do the same with their live performance. They seem a one trick band, playing an almost identical set to that from their Cathouse house gig earlier in the year including the same musical interludes between songs, while their backing track kept the live element of their show minimal, leaving me wondering whether the grandiose amount of production on the album was half of their success story.

>> Roy Chester

www.panicatthedisco.com

>> Garage
>> 18th April 2006

Test Icicles. We hardly knew ye. *Sob Sob*

The Garage tonight hosts the final Scottish show for these young lads, having decided to call it a day after only one album, For Screening Purposes Only on Domino Records.

The band stroll on stage With their usual care-free attitude to the drum intro of hit single Circle.Square.Triangle, and pulses start racing. However, the young and enthusiastic crowd are brought back down to earth with the disappointment of the lead vocal mic not working. Being one of the best singles of last year it's still a great opener, and the boys make up for the lack of vocals with some great on-stage antics. God knows how they are still in one piece.

Even if the music is a little too violent for my liking, it is still very entertaining to watch as the stumble around that stage in a chaotic fashion and I feel sorry for the over-worked roadie, having to pick up the mic stand every two seconds. Towels over their heads, swearing at the crowd, kicking everything that moves, big fluffy bunny rabbits dancing away - Test Icicles manage to squeeze everything into they're hour long set, leaving the crowd begging for more.

The band do look very tired at times though, as if they have simply just ran out of steam. So maybe it is fitting that they leave us with the one album. They finish up their encore with Boa vs Python - the other stand-out track from the album and leave with the phrase 'We better go now before we get arrested'. Proof if proof needed that these punks are not everyone's cup of tea.

Test Icicles, we will miss you. The myspace success story ends too soon. May you rest in peace.

>> Joe Sach

>> King Tuts
>> 13th April 2006

Do we really need a Scottish Babyshambles? Because Dundee's The View are cut from the same cloth. Recently signed to James Endeacott's new label 1965 records the View have since bagged support slots with Primal Scream, Proud Mary and the already mentioned Babyshambles, picking up some 'street-cred' by doing what Pete Doherty does best - getting arrested.

Tuts is jumping tonight, and the View play their little hearts out to the over-enthusiastic crowd with their own brand of toe-tapping indie/rock. The Libertines influence is very apparent, but if you throw in a bit of the Kooks and tighten the whole thing up, you'll arrive at the View and never look back. Tracks like Same Jeans and Comin' Down stand up above the rest, as the baby-faced boys race through their set with that 'we-don't-give-a-F*ck' look about them.

The View certainly have the fan-base and the songs, and with this performance they seem to be able to cut it live on any stage. I have a feeling they might just be massive. Anything Londoner's can do, the Scots can do better.

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/dryburgh

>> Art School
>> 8th April 2006

London’s The Bishops most be one of the hardest working bands around, having gigged here, there and everywhere over the last few years, and tonight they play Glasgow’s school of Art as part of the Club NME tour.

As the band kick off their 40 minute set, it’s as if the 60’s are back! As these time-travelling, toe-tapping heroes play their bootleg ties off to a quiet but lively Art School. Twin brothers Mike and Pete Bishop, along with Scottish drummer Chris McConville make up the band, who race through the set with some classic tracks, and all of a sudden I have a sudden urge to go out and buy a beehive wig.

Songs like Menace About Town and debut single the Only Place I Can Look is Down begin to the crowd’s heads nodding and the energy from the band as they bounce around on stage puts a smile on everyone’s face. There are some nice individual touches too, with some smart guitar solos and wicked bass lines, and the only thing tighter than the superb vocal harmonies, are the twins’ straight-from-the-sixties trousers.

Not the busiest nights at Club NME, but the small crowd has warmed to these fun lads from down south. Look out for the single on May the 8th.

>> The Lick had a wee chat with the boys with the suits:

Lick: Hello! Welcome to Glasgow. Although this isn’t your first time I believe?
Mike Bishop: Yeah we played once before which was in Rockers club beside the station which was pretty cool.

Lick: How was the smell of piss on your way in?
Pete Bishop: Haha! It wasn’t too bad. Pretty similar to the one in London actually.
Chris McConville: There’s a pretty cool club up in Motherwell that way played once before.
PB: Yeah that was a really good gig. It’s always nice to get up to Scotland and other parts of the country. People are very friendly up here and there are always good gigs.

Lick: Thank You! An album deal on Monday I understand?
MB: Yeah a good way to start the week!

Lick: Can you give me any details?
MB: It’s with 1,2,3,4 records, who are a London based independent and we’re going to doing and album and a single with them. We’ve already recorded the single (The Only Place I Can Look Is Down) with producer Liam which will be out on the 8th of May and he’s going to do the album as well. The sessions were really really fun and we’re really pleased that we can come together with Liam to do more material because we feel he’s the right producer for what we do.

Lick: Looking forward to it! For anyone who doesn’t know the Bishops, how long have you been together and how does the song writing work and how did you meet your mad Scottish drummer? (Their words, not mine)
MB: Well we’ve been together about two and a half years and we formed in London and basically me and Pete were staying in a youth hostel because we were studying and stuff and Chris was working in a pub nearby and we used to meet a lot and got chatting about music and basically just decided to form the band. We used to rehearse in the basement of the YMCA and just went from there really. In terms of the song writing me and Pete will come up with a song together or a riff and then take it to the rehearsal with Chris and it kinda of develops from there.
PB: There are times when we can just be jamming and we’ll come up with something. We find that’s a really effective way because it happens quite quickly and there’s definitely quite a good partnership between us.

Lick: And are there any particular bands/artists that influence the song writing?
MB: Yeah there’s always people we’ve admired and have definitely influenced us like Arthur Lee and Love, a lot of stuff from the late sixties. The Jam, the La’s and people like that.

Lick: And what about yourself Chris?
CM: Me? Well when I was first learning drums it was people like Stuart Copland and Jon Bonham. It’s nice to hear wee bits and pieces coming through in my playing because I was never taught, I just used to play along with records.

Lick: And is there a date for the album?
MB: No not yet. The single will be out on May the 8th, on Cd and Vinyl and we’ll be working on the album throughout the year so it will probably be the start of 2007.
PB: There will probably be another single in the summer and a few more tours. We’re playing a few shows in Germany and Austria at the end of May, and some tour supports and a few festivals.

Lick: And to finish up. What’s your favourite thing about Glasgow?
CM: For me it’s always thriving. Good music, good bands and the places like the Art School are great venues and clubs to go to. Plus there’s loads of women. Scottish women wearing next to nothing even if it’s freezing outside!

Quick Fire Questions for Pete:

Black or White? Black
Kylie or Danni? Kylie
Up or Down? Up
Scotland or England? England
Glasgow or Edinburgh? Glasgow
Acoustic or Electric? Electric
Ghostbusters 1 or Ghostbusters 2? Eh, 2.
Bush or Blair? Haha! Eh, Blair I suppose.
On Top or on Bottom? On Top
Mars or Snickers? Snickers
Indian food or Chinese food? Indian
Drunk or Sober? Drunk
A Ben Affleck film or killing yourself? Killing Myself!
Phoenix Nights of the Office? The Office – Definitely!


>> Joe Sach

www.thebishopsband.com
www.myspace.com/thebishopsuk

>> Barrowlands
>> 8th April 2006

“We never thought we’d say this but the English crowds were way better movers than you guys.”

Seriously, Forward Russia’s guitarist said this to the capacity crowd tonight. He’s a brave man, but a smart man too. Once this gauntlet was thrown down, the crowd decided that dancing to the support act was not only a good idea but also a matter of national pride. Hats off to Forward Russia for utilising in the ingrained Scottish jingoistic attitude to ensure a memorable performance. However, even without the usually unnecessary goading of the assembled weegies, Forward Russia put on a frantic show with flailing front man Tom showing the initially inert audience how it should be done. Good tunes too and worth checking out. (www.myspace.com/forwardrussia)

We Are Scientists have had an eventful 12 months; this is the fourth outing to Glasgow within a year for the American trio and they have managed to stuff as many of their burgeoning Scottish fan base as possible into the Barrowlands tonight. However, those who have seen the band before tonight, (in King Tuts a few months ago for example,) will recognise the order of songs as being exactly the same as last time. It doesn’t really matter though; WAS are a damn fine live band, complete with witty on-stage banter that in no way reeks of scripted and rehearsed sucking up. Singles ‘It’s a Hit’, ‘Nobody Moves, Nobody Gets Hurt’ are definite highlights alongside the imaginatively quirky and greatly entertaining choice of cover ‘Be My Baby’, with crowd favourite and instant toe tapping single ‘The Great Escape’ closing tonight’s carnival of sorts. Their debut album, ‘With Love and Squalor’, is fast paced and catchy whilst the artwork exploits the power of the fluffy kitten perfectly, a definite recipe for success. Consider it recommended.

www.wearescientists.com

A.J Hazlie

>> The Hazey Janes, King Creosote & the Cinematics
>> Acoustic Show
>> Glasgow's City Halls
>> 3rd April 2006

Man of the people Vic Galloway re-launched his Air show tonight as….. (Drum roll)….The Vic Galloway show! Fab!

Ok the name could have been more inventive, but this small show at Glasgow’s city halls is a fabulous way to start a fresh, with live acoustic sets, and the usual cracking tunes from the best that Scottish music has to offer.

First up are Lickmag favourites the Cinematics, who strip down to just a couple of acoustic guitars and Scott Rinning’s blessed vocal-chords. And what a set they deliver, with unplugged versions of The Fall and b-side to their second single, Human almost blow away this bizarrely small audience. But it’s the final song that wow’s the room – an almost perfect cover version of the late Jeff Buckley’s So Real. ‘I don’t know if you know the history of our band but I used to be a busker’ explains singer Scott, and I’m sure everyone would be reaching for their pockets if he still was.

Step up King Creosote, who has the enviable task of following the Cinematics, and to be honest fail to do so. Singer Kenny is obviously a fine musician, and very talented on the Accordion but the songs fail to grab the listener, and seem to almost run into each other. The are some nice moments, especially when Kenny and side-kick James whip up some vocal harmonies, but after the Cinematics, the mustard remains uncut.

The fantastic Hazey Janes finish up the evening with a fine performance, and lift the whole mood of the night with some fabulous 3-part harmonies and wonderfully crafted songs. Glockenspiel’s and ¾ sized guitars make the set that more interesting, as the originality from the Pop/Rock/County gang from Dundee shines through with magnificent effect.

An encore and standing ovation brings the night/show to a close, and a sign of things to come from Mr. Galloway and the Radio Scotland team as more live shows are currently being penned. Watch this web space!

>> Joe Sach

Vic’s show is on Radio Scotland every Monday night from 8.05pm.

>> ABC 1
>> 31st March 2006

Local promoter Peter MacCalman has been promoting some of the best local talent around Glasgow since 1999, and has run the very successful Acoustic Affair throughout venues such as the Tron, the Royal Concert Hall and the ABC. Tonight the ABC 1 hosts the launch night of the Acoustic Affair Compilation Album, released through Vertical Records.

Established in 2002, the Acoustic Affair has seen more that 130 artists play over 75 shows in venues throughout Glasgow. Its line-up has included many musicians in the early stages of their career, such as Aberfeldy, Crash My Model Car, Jo Mango, the Hazey Janes and the Cosmic Rough Riders.

The ABC is a fantastic location for a night like this. Tables and candles make the night a very intimate affair; even though the venue holds over 1200 people, and sets a wonderful scene for first act Sporting Hero. Looping voices and guitar parts with his fancy wee effects box, Sporting Hero starts the night as it means to go on, with some well-crafted songs and a beautiful voice.

The Superb No.1 Son follows, stripping his songs down to just a single acoustic and his angel-touched voice and Rick Webster from Unkle Bob and Kieran Docherty also contribute with delightful short and snappy sets.

Carol Laula and the River Detectives have longer time on stage, and show the strength of the artists to have been involved with the Acoustic affair. Carol Laula delivers a wonderful selection of songs, with some soaring vocals and fabulous harmonies and Sam Corry and Dan O’Neill cap off the evening with a mixture of toe-tapping blues rock, and some delicate, emotional tunes.

As the fans mingle and the VIP’s head towards the Polar Bar, it’s another hugely successful and well-organised night from PM Music, and if there’s anyone wanting to hear what Scotland’s best songwriters have to offer. Serve them up this treat. A must have album.

>> Mark Wilson

www.acousticaffair.co.uk
www.petermaccalman.co.uk

>> King Tuts
>> 30th March 2006

Promoting an album that isn’t due out til June is always going to be a tough gig. But why is it that Hope of the States can sell out two UK tours in two months doing so? Lead man Sam sums it up after the band open the show with new song Bonfires…’it’s been a long time’.

Bonfires is a solid opener but nothing on classic instrumental The Black Amnesias that in past has always been a powerful opener. The set is full of new tracks intertwined with classics from previous album The Lost Riots (Enemies/Friends, Nehemiah, the Red the White the Black the Blue, Black Dollar Bills). The band looks like they are finally having fun on stage, smiling at each other after songs, something that has always been lacking in the past. And flowing banter between the crowd in a packed Tuts is something that hasn’t always been evident. ‘Play It’s Chico Time!’ particularly tickles the band. All new tracks are well received by the crowd, outstanding tracks include new EP title track ‘Blood Meridian’ and ‘Church Choir’ before the band really shine in the encore.

The encore opens with what is to be the new albums Black Amnesias track. A powerful Instrumental track driven by lead guitars and violin that is every bit as epic as the Black Amnesias. Next is my personal highlight of the night a track called Under the Wild which is from the Blood Meridian EP. Sam announces that this is the first time the song has ever been performed to an audience and sees him return to the piano for the final time of the night and bassist Paul take over his guitar. The song opens softly with keys and violin supporting Sam’s vocals before the band kick in with what is to be a solid live song for the future. The set is finished off with a busy new track Static in the City.

Live HOTS are as good as any band you are likely to see. Although not everyone’s cup of tea they are destined to be one of Britain’s most challenging bands. All new tracks sound impressive live so if the live performance transfers onto the album the band are onto a winner, and with Sigur Ros producer Ken Thomas still on board there is no reason it shouldn’t.

>> Chris Knox

Blood Meridian EP is out now on limited edition vinyl
New album Left is due for release in June.

www.hopeofthestates.com

>> King Tuts
>> 29th March 2006

With the recent release of the masterful ‘Paperclips and Sand’ album the Mango star is certainly in ascent, and it is an anticipatory crowd gathering here on a nippy March evening to catch a glimpse of its skyward trajectory.

But before all that there’s the support. With folk music it tends to be a case of ‘banter over matter’ and tonight’s first support act seem to stick to this template. But unfortunately, due to the Gaelic-y spelling, I’ve even forgotten what the first band was called! I remember it sounding like Robbie Williams does folk – a kind of ‘Angels’ of the pipe-smoke circuit but that’s it. Oh well.

Second on the bill was the truly wonderful Strike the Colours. Heart felt songs delivered with modesty and skill; the opposite of the solo mourn-a-long I was expecting. In fact, I bought the cd! Keep an eye out for them.

In contrast to the minimal solo sound of StC, Jo Mango came on stage sporting her full band. And they kicked off in style with an uplifting and (unintentionally) feedback drenched ‘Portuguese Skies’. It seems that Jo is as charismatic on stage as her music is on record. She has as brilliant an ability to dust off any technical blips as any front person I have seen. Perhaps because of this, the band comes off as being a genuinely solid unit rather than the one-woman show it could have been. Actually, it is fascinating to see the multi-layered craft that went into the album in a small-scale environment: but this is something to enjoy while we can because it probably won’t be long until Jo and Co are playing places big enough to have the space to dance along to the vibrant ‘Waltz with Me’, one of tonight’s highlights and hopefully one the few ¾ tunes that could divert the masses from their pop cud.

Tearing along at an alarming rate, and proving that laurels are not to be rested on, the band is soon showcasing a new song in the form of ‘Electricity’. A vamped up funk rocker, it really stands out from the crowd. It sounds a bit ‘jagged little pill’ but without all the bullshit. If the band is starting to evolve even at this early stage then it will be captivating to follow what they come up with next. (It seems to me that Jo Mango has an eye for the groove!)

As a gig to celebrate the launch of the album tonight couldn’t have gone any better. The crowd were right behind the performance, the star quality onstage was self-evident, the venue was perfect and the music captured the hypnotic quality of the record. What’s next? Who knows; but if there is a band that deserves to make it in the nü-folk/mainstream crossover, it is Jo Mango.

>> Russell Moore

www.jomango.co.uk