
The travel up to London on Wednesday wasn’t too bad, we
got to the venue with time to spare before doors opened, the queue was fairly
long already at 7.15pm and we were let in promptly at 7.30pm. The venue was
difficult to navigate due to lack of signs and security could have done what
they had to do in a different way and at the end of the gig; security whilst
running to control the end of gig surge knocked a few people, which I didn’t
think was too great.
However, onwards and upwards to the music,
we found a good spot, and I have to say the layout once in the auditorium of
Scala is brilliant for getting a good view and sound from anywhere in the
venue.
Meadowlark were the first support and I’ve
been waiting to see these guys live since they formed two years ago. I wasn’t
disappointed. They opened their set with ‘Eyes Wide’, one of my favourite songs
by them. The percussion, guitar and keys with vocals just fit so well together
and with some of the audience joining in with the chorus it set up the perfect
atmosphere. A reworked ‘I’ve Got You’ came next, the crowd welcomed the song
from their first EP ‘Three Six Five’, the upbeat song with deep and honest
lyrics was a pleasant addition to their mainly second EP led set. They also
performed a new song ‘Body Lose’; with a slow start it grows into a great song.
Kate was left on stage to perform ‘Little Boxes’ solo, a stunning song about a
friend who went through a tough time after coming out, it left the crowd
silent. ‘Fire’ followed on from ‘Little Boxes’ really well, with Daniel and
their drummer back on stage, the guitar from Dan and with Kate’s vocals over
the top creates a powerful performance. They closed their set by getting
everyone to sing along to the harmony led chorus of ‘Fly’. A brilliant ending
to a brilliant set, the only negative; the set wasn’t long enough.
Rhodes was next to the stage, I’d only
heard a couple of his songs before and I can’t say I really liked them.
HOWEVER, seeing him live has changed that perception, there were still dodgy
moments that I wasn’t too sure on, but on the most part I really enjoyed their
set. Opening with a song that built the atmosphere and then continued
throughout the set. ‘Your Soul’ came next; atmospheric and I really enjoyed it. ‘Raise
Your Love’ was also really great. Highlight of their set was definitely
‘Believe’ a song performed on his own without the backing of his band. Again,
it was another stunning performance and it was definitely better performed live
rather than recorded. ‘Close Your Eyes’ was an upbeat song, a good song, but
too ‘pop’ and far from the material of his that I like, but it
will encourage a wider audience of his music, which is always a great thing,
until you start changing your sound completely… They finished off with ‘Turning
Back Around’, probably one of his best known songs and was a brilliant finish
to the set.
I’d seen Amber Run support Lewis Watson
before their debut album release and loved them. I went Wednesday night and
really enjoyed the show. To the point, I left with little notes on my piece of
paper, and more of a set list, just because I was engulfed into their live
performance.
They opened with ‘See You Soon’, which
started a bit worryingly, luckily I think we can put that down to warming
vocals up and being at the start of the set. After that song they put the
wobble behind them and it was on the up. ‘Pilot’ isn’t my favourite song but
they performed it with such energy, the intro drums grow with guitars, keys and
bass to power vocals into a catchy and upbeat track, made even more impressive
live.‘Hurricane’ and ‘Just My Soul Responding’
followed and the energy continued.
Then we were led into a slower paced,
melancholy tone for the next two songs. ‘5AM’ was an emotionally charged song,
leaving silence (apart from a few yelps from a couple of slightly worse for
wear individuals). This was continued during the performance of ‘Shiver’, not
the best of their songs in my eyes, and it wasn’t my favourite song they played
either. We were woken up and told to get up as they performed ‘Good Morning’,
an upbeat and energy infused song. Moving onto my favourite song of theirs
(apart from ‘Kites’, which they didn’t play), ‘Spark’. Unfortunately, there was
a messy start, but the boys picked it back up and finished it well. Their ‘last
song’ was ‘I Found’, GEEZ IT WAS GOOD! London Contemporary Voices made a
surprise appearance and created a phenomenal performance that I won’t forget
for a long time! The only thing that could have been better was a focus on more
acapella. After chants of ‘we want more’ they returned to the stage and finished
off the gig with ‘Heaven’ from their ‘Spark EP’ that had everyone singing along
and clapping nearer the end. Their final song was of course, ‘Noah’ (I’m not a
huge fan of this song) but I admit it was a great one to end on and finished
the night off perfectly. Will, Tomas, Joe, Henry and Felix, you were all
fantastic and you all made it such a great night, it was wonderful to see a
group of guys on stage, all loving what they’re doing and sharing their passion
with a huge room full of people that love and appreciate their music. What an
experience – thank you!
Amber Run Links:
5AM (deluxe iTunes): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/5am-deluxe/
Website: http://www.amber-run.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amberrunuk
Rhodes Links:
'Turning Back Around EP' (iTunes): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/turning-back-around-ep/
Website: http://www.rhodesmusic.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhodesmusicuk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhodesmusic
Meadowlark Links:
'Dual EP' (iTunes): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/dual-ep/
Website: http://meadowlarkofficial.tumblr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/meadowlarkHQ
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