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Post by ROX Admin on Dec 18, 2020 20:37:21 GMT
Gig reviews from the ROX Team  |
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Post by ROX Admin on Dec 22, 2020 22:05:39 GMT
Concert review
Acoustica Acoustic Rock Festival
Robin2, Bilston 30th September 2017
The Darker My Horizon, The Bad Flowers, Captain Horizon, Electus, Wakedown, Iconic Eye, Reece, Steve Mercy, Kallon.
Russell Peake from rock band Electus had a brilliant idea. A live event dedicated to rock music played acoustically. So, he put this festival together at the Robin2. The first of what we hope will an annual event. For only a few quid we were treated to no less than 9 bands and this was no hey nonny nonny folk fest. Oh no, this was rock n roll stripped down to its core elements. Raw, emotive and full of great songs both slow and fast.
Kallon
Brand new band Kallon had the unenviable task of being the opening act for Acoustica. Singer Kim Izzard and pianist Luke Dalton were not phased by this however and got the festival off to a great start. Stripping the songs down to their basics including their new single “Falling” (which had been specially released as a CD Single and launched at Acoustica), the two musicians performed their set with confidence and style. They were also joined by Jane Gould of Iconic Eye for a song which was a bonus.
Kim Izzard “I really like Wakedown front man's vocals ;-) and Electus lead work from the frontman and their lead guitarist was excellent on the acoustic guitars - it really came through well.”
Steve Mercy
Steve Mercy describes himself as playing “Black Country Rock”. Playing solo he performed a decent set of songs that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Lynyrd Skynyrd or Blackfoot album. He performed with confidence and energy especially on rockers like “Nobody”
Reece
Welsh rock band Reece performed as a two piece of singer and guitarist. Playing their songs acoustically allowed them to show off their impressive vocal harmonies as they aired songs from their new album including new single and title track “Ignited” which is a real grower. They work very well together and had a captivating sound acoustically.
Iconic Eye
Iconic Eye have a new vocalist – Jane Gould and she is a good singer. She is fitting well into the band and tonight they chose to perform acoustically as a full band which was great. With twin guitars they had a bigger, more varied sound and allowed their songs to have the power they needed to impress. With energy, great melodies and a talented lead guitarist Robin Mitchard they look set to do very well.
Jane Gould “...it was a really warm and friendly event. Great atmosphere and wonderful support from all of the bands. We all really enjoyed the event. Audience were great. Love the venue. It was just a really welcoming event. Loved each and every act...Russell did really well. The vibe amongst all of the band's was really great. Lot's of support. For me personally, I got to finally meet a FaceBook friend for the 1st time in real life. Paul Stead. He totally blew me away. Such a storyteller. His voice is exceptional...Also it was great to duet with Kim. She is a massively positive person. Huge energy and presence. Really enjoyed that.”
Wakedown
Playing partially acoustically, Wakedown were born to play this way. Their soulful, thoughtful lyrics and tones work so well in this setting. Their songs echo bands like Alice in Chains and their vocalist Carl Thomason's voice is at times hypnotic as he sings with such a passion and emotion. Tonight they played “Paradigm” for the first time acoustically and treated us to an excellent version of new song “Jericho” which has to be heard to be believed!
Paul from Wakedown: “we had a fantastic time playing there, so many great bands and acts put on really great performances. “
Electus
Fast-rising stars Electus were next on. Although they began playing their set sat down it wasn't long before their usual energy kicked in and the chairs were out of the way and the band were in full rockin' mode. They played a selection of crowd pleasers including “Aphrodite” and their hit songs “Ticket to Nowhere” (otherwise known as the cowbell song) and “Just for One Night”. A great, varied and fun set as we've come to expect from Electus.
Captain Horizon
Choosing the play their set fully electric was a surprise given the title of the festival. It did seem a little odd but once we'd heard a couple of songs it became obvious that their songs are best played electrified and they would've perhaps struggled to get their sound acoustically. With U2, indie, prog and melodic rock influences Captain Horizon are hard to categorise. They are simply, good! The stand out track was “Patch” which is their charity single for the Royal British Legion. The song is so powerful and well constructed. The band have great harmonies and musical shapes. Check em out.
The Bad Flowers
The three piece rock band took the festival back to its acoustic rock ideology – with some style. Playing songs from their new release which are great, catchy and enjoyable with a simplistic, modern blues vibe.
The Darker My Horizon
The Darker My Horizon play technical rock and melodic metal so it was interesting to hear how their songs would translate for Acoustica. A fine job was done it has to be said even though the songs had to stripped right down. They are a great band with a sense of musicality and a depth that is so often missing these days. Well constructed songs can always be adapted and re-worked but the original structure is sound.
Paul Stead “ I have the greatest of respect for people like - AcousticA organiser - Russell Peake. Anyone who has the motivation to make things happen instead of waiting for things to fall at his feet. The crowd were superb and made me feel unbelievably welcome, can't thank them enough. I felt a few of the bands didn't stick around to support other performers which is a shame - I had a 5 hour round trip - and got there 4 hours before I was due to go on to show my support. But the line up and performances were super. Delighted to be a part of it, and extremely flattered and grateful for the amazing comments I received after my performance. There's some great new artists out there, please go and support new live music.”
Well done to Russell Peake for putting together an amazing event. It ran like clockwork. The sound was great and atmosphere brilliant. Roll on 2018's Acoustica! 10/10.
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Post by ROX Admin on Dec 22, 2020 22:07:31 GMT
Live Review:
Fudgestock 2017
Robin2, Bilston 30th April 2017.
The annual Fudgestock festival is the brainchild of Tony Meehan; a tribute to the memory of Michael Meehan and Bill Edis. All proceeds of the event to the charity that's very close to Tony and many of the people who go: MacMillan Cancer Support. A worthy cause indeed!
This year's event was organised by long time supporters and great band Phoenix Rising who also performed not one but TWO sets to treat the audience who were all there to enjoy themselves.
During the event we were treated to a wide range of bands, representing several genres of rock making for a varied evening's entertainment to raise money for the charity.
First on was the excellent covers band White Room. This talented local four piece outfit ripped through a raft of classics from the likes of Hendrix, Cream and Status Quo – all handled with confidence and style. A mention has to go as well to the amazing guitar talents of Jonathan Price.
After all that rockin' it was time to slow things do a little and Phoenix Rising's vocalist/guitarist Garry Bennett treated everyone to a very rare and rather wonderful acoustic set featuring songs not on the usual set list and rare songs we don't get to hear the full band do (sadly). Played acoustically, with Garry's soulful and emotive vocals the songs were brilliant and showed off the great soundwriting talents of the band. I even got a chance to join Garry on stage for the last song as a birthday treat for which I thank the band and my Husband for organising. Such a thrill and thoroughly enjoyed!
The evening kicked up one of a gear next! On came David Young and the Midnight Callers from Wednesbury. They blasted out a set of originals and covers including You Really Got Me and Teenage Kicks. They advertise themselves as a mix of mix of punk, indie and country. A curious mix indeed and one that sometimes worked, sometimes less so.
Dirty Roxx followed with a more traditional covers based set that the audience obviously enjoyed singing and dancing along to. The female-fronted 5 piece have a broad repertoire of songs and styles from Radiohead's Creep to Welcome to the Jungle. They event played System of a Down's Ariels! There's a lot of talent in Dirty Roxx and it was a shame the guitarist had some sound and guitar issues which was a shame.
Fudgestock's next treat was the recently reformed Wounded Spirit, back together after 17 years and still sounding tight, focused and enjoying being back together. Tonight was particularly special for the band as the Robin2 was actually the last gig they played before splitting up all those years ago. So, they were delighted to be treading those boards again and they rocked with amazing energy and musicality. Playing mostly original songs and a few covers including their first ever single “Alone Without You” from 1995 and their brand new single “11 03 06”.
Finishing off a great night of music was headliners Phoenix Rising. This time as the full band and geared up to rock as always! They played a full set of original material including the well known and locally loved classics like “Bad Company” and “She's Coming” as well as the amazing ballad “Cry No More” which was played with so much soul and feeling it was very emotional. The band played and played as they didn't want to leave! Such a brilliant set as usual from a talented band that are ever growing in confidence and musicality. A fitting finale to an evening of great music. CAG 8/10.
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