If the devil makes music like this Im off to hell
Ruby lounge goes off!
I had a change of plans on Saturday, I was intending to go to Kraak to watch and probably shoot the amazing line up off:
The Backhanders
The Moods
JB Barrington
It was always going to be a quality night. Trust a Fox Photography has some great shots of the night.
My plans changed and I went to the Ruby Lounge to watch a performer that really impressed me the last time I caught him at Band on the Wall. Kindest of Thieves, one Man, one guitar, one drum machine and a cymbal. He sounded amazing and the full house at the Ruby Lounge really got behind him. I was intending to try and get some film of him but the room was too packed to set a camera up! The now full venue really seemed to be enjoying his music and humour. Once again he gave a great performance and put the crowd into a great mood for the headline band.
The headline act The Devil Makes Three have traveled from Vermont and are in the middle of a European tour. They have been around for years and have a massive loyal following.
I have never seen the Ruby Lounge so packed or heard a crowd in such good voice from the first song to the last.
The band consist of lead guitar Pete Bernhard, guitar and Bango Cooper McBean and Lucia Turino on Bass all three also took turns to sing. They were also joined on stage by 2 fiddle players.
They played a long set but it didn't feel too long due to the variation in their songs. All the musicians demonstrated that they were all very talented and prepared to really go for it. The crowd seemed to know every word. Possibly because they are a band that they will only see live a couple of times they were really making the most of it.
The energy and tempo of the band was infectious and with random arms being linked and dancing in the crowd the energy levels soared. There was almost a battle within the band to show who could play the fastest and most skilled and I am not prepared to call it. I have received information that the two fiddle players are from a band called Brown Bird. Think it time to look them up.
I love bands that make an effort to meet with their fans after a gig and all members of Devil Makes Three came off stage and went into the crowd to talk with fans and sell their merch.
Most people that arrived at the gig were devoted fans of the band everyone leaving the gig was now a devoted fan of the band.
Many thanks to Kindness of Thieves for the invitation. Thanks to all the performers for amazing sets. Also thanks to the Ruby lounge for great sound as well as typical Manchester hospitality.
A night with Swingers in Preston
Another night of swinging
The nice people at Swingaroo Vintage Dance invited me back to take shots of their latest night in Preston.
The entertainment was provided by a very talented female vocalist Jess Roberts.
I started the night in true Swingaroo style listen to some classic music from the DJ whilst enjoying a delicious cup cake. As the room filled and the dancers took to the floor I once again felt under dressed and inadequate in the dancing department. The vintage dresses and gentlemen In suits and hats always impress and give a real look of class.
Swingaroo have some experienced dancers who patrol the room and ensure that anyone who would like to dance have a partner. I think the male dancers enjoyed the night even more than usual with an influx of young ladies who are using the night as a hen party. It's not long before they are really enjoying the dancing.
Jess performed a great set singing many of the classics with her beautiful tone. I think many of the dancers could have happily just sat and listened to her but that's not the Swingaroo method. As she sang the floor filled with dancers and we all drifted off to a more stylish era.
Thanks again to Jess for entertaining me, the dancers for demonstrating their skills, Swingaroo for inviting me and all the staff at the hall for their hospitality.
Hope to see you all again soon.
Thieves use revolver in crowd to get blank cheque
13/2/15
Band on the Wall Manchester
Kindest of Thieves
Black Sonic Revolver
The Madding Crowd
Blank Cheque
What a great venue. I enjoyed the relaxed bar area while waiting for the gig to start and met up with the bands and fellow photographer David Kitson.
Kindest of Thieves is one man, one guitar and a drum machine. He started with a great line that he uses a drum machine as it won't sleep with your ex!
His approach and attitude was very relaxed and gave the impression that he could not believe people would make the effort to hear him sing.
After one song I could see why people would definitely make the effort. He is a great singer and player with a unique sound. I am not going to try to describe his sound as he admits that it is a bit weird!
I really enjoyed the songs 'Come See to Me', and 'All I am guilty of is being lonely'.
Black Sonic Revolver
The boys are back with a new line up and album. It is worth getting the album just for the photo on the CD not that I am biased.
Some things remained the same great songs, tambourine thrown into crowd to play and a great singalong from the fans.
The line up has changed and some new songs. The set felt more professional and polished whilst still maintaining the BSR party mood. The Cd is well worth the fiver asking price.
The madding crowd are one of the most entertaining bands I have seen. I was not sure if I wanted to watch them again as I could not believe they could be as good as last time I photographed them.
Ben the lead singer who has some bottle, he starts the set singing unaccompanied which grabs the audiences attention. I am not going to describe the full set as it will spoil it for those who take my advice and see them live. Here are a few things to look for:
The bass player prefers not to face the crowd
The lead singer wears silver shoes and jacket and part way through seems to be in prayer
The guitarist was wearing beret and mac and ended one song playing whilst lead on the floor.
The drummer sticks to holding it all together and plays a solid set.
I was not the only fan in the crowd judging from the T-shirts and crowd volume to their song 'Walking in the Rain'.
Once again a great energetic performance with quality songs.
SONY DSC
As soon as the first song started I remembered that I had seen Bank Cheque before. They have a distinctive style and sound. The band mix classic tracks with their own tracks. It says a lot about the quality of their own tracks as they slip in so easily with the classics.
One of the highlights of the performance was the saxophone playing that lifted the whole performance. The band have great support and they danced from the first song to the last as well as singing along to every song.
I had a really great night at a great venue with quality entertainment.
Thanks to the bands for great performances, Dave Kitson for the drink my shout next time and all the staff at Band on the Wall for a brilliant venue and real hospitality.
No love its not that kind of singles night
Ugly man records singles night at Dulcimer Bar Chorlton Manchester.
Warning: Do not pick up an envelope from the doormat announce to your wife its tickets for the gig on saturday and then pull out tickets with 'Singles Night' written across them!
The line up:
Chaz Rigsby
Sea witches
The falling
Little secrets
The room was filling nicely as I arrived and was pleased to see some familiar faces the boys from The Falling and Guy from Ugly Man records.
The evening started with a lesson in what can be done with a guitar and good voice. Chaz performed a great set my favourite being a track called "Truth". I only had one problem with his set and that is that it was too short I could have listened to him all night.
The Sea Witches line up makes a refreshing change with female base and lead singer. They also had some atmospheric background effects. Each song was performed with real passion with Tempest being the highlight for me. I could imagine this group making a concept type album with long instrumentals. The room was now rammed and all were captivated by the set.
I have heard and shot The Falling on several occasions and there mix of great musicianship with clever lyrics is very impressive. On first listen you just enjoy them as good songs. The second time you hear them you realise the true feeling behind these men who want to tell it like it is. They give you an opportunity to think about the direction we are all moving in. Like all great protest songs they leave you enjoying the set but also thinking about the songs.
They proudly produced there new single with one of my shots on the cover. It's worth buying for the sleeve alone! To be fair the songs are pretty good too.
The Little Secrets are not going to be little or secret for long. There new single All I Need deserves to do well and I'm sure it will. I'm going to list the set as any one of these could do well and I want to be able to say that I told you so:
Hourglass, Go, Today, I Belong, Right Through You, All I Need
It has been a great night of music and once again Ugly Man Records has found quality acts all different but all hugely entertaining.
Tuesday the new weekend?
Tuesday live at lock 91 Manchester
Monoman
Dee Olares
Level 22
The Marivaux
Monoman consists of a great female vocalist with backing DJ. With a great voice and quality backing this was a great start to the night.
Dee Olares are two females singers and a guitar player provides their music. It was impossible not to enjoy this trio. My favourite song of theirs was 'ain't no good'. The trio sound really good together as the singers voices are really complimentary and the guitar player is very talented.
The cover of the 1991 hit for Ce Ce Peniston song 'Finaly' went down well with an appreciative and large crowd.
Level 22
Guitar, singer, keyboard, DJ and not one but 2 saxophones. What a great sound they produce but my favourite song only required keys and he lead singers amazing voice. I must track down this song as it was amazing and you could feel the crowd hanging off every word. I think the reaction of the crowd was felt by all i the band as the rest of the set was played with grins and a real confidence.
The Marivaux
Once again these boys performed an amazing set. They have polished their established songs to a faultless level. The new songs slip easily into the set and soon feel like old favourites. It was also good to see bass and drums not afraid to show off their skills.
The upstairs at Lock 91 is a long room with a vaulted ceiling and a small bar and balcony overlooking the lock. The bands were set up at the far end and next to the bands was the familiar face of fellow photographer David Kitson who takes great photos of bands.
The only issue on the night was that there was a small problem with the lighting which didn't affect the crowds view of the bands but did make it very difficult to photograph.
Thanks to all the bands for great performances. Big thanks to Tuesday Live and all at Lock 91 for your hospitality.
© Labrat Photos