I’m slightly delayed from getting into the venue tonight because five chancers are ahead of me that hog the kiosk whilst flinging out names in the hope that they’re on the list. They’re not, and eventually fork out for tickets, but not before Danny Goffey of Supergrass fame is almost ten minutes into his set. I’m a long-time fan of Supergrass, and it’s always intriguing to see drummers step out from behind the kit and take centre stage, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Danny can offer. On a scale of Grohl to Ringo, Goffey trends positively. There’s experimentation in his sound, part funk, part disco, part post-punk commentary, yet it all somehow seamlessly ties together. Race of Life has elements of all of the above, uplifting backing vocals set against a steady danceable rhythm, peppered over with Goffey’s ramblings about life from the perspective of a spermatozoon. It’s eclectic stuff. Set closers Disco Punk and Everybody’s on Drugs are full of infectious energy too, the former a funk-strumming group vocal shouting shoe-shuffler of a track which leads nicely into the driving tom-rolling punk of the latter. With great versatility to Goffey’s sound and plenty of vigour in his live performance, the only real shame here is that he and the four band members don’t have much room to manoeuvre, confined to lining up in a row along the front of the O2 stage. Still, it’s a great watch.
DANNY GOFFEY NEW SINGLE
‘DISCOPUNK’
TAKEN FROM THE FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM, BRYAN MOONE’S DISCOPUNK
Bristol quartet The Ramona Flowers have clearly got a few supporters in tonight and receive a great homecoming reception as they head out to greet the crowd. Frontman Steve Bird covers a lot of ground as he paces up and down the length of the stage, arms spread as he belts out one anthemic chorus after another, making the space his own. The heavy electronic elements and backing-tracked bass give their live set an almost clubby feel at times, with Bird’s vocals and Sam Dyson’s melodic, strutting fretwork providing the perfect counterbalance. Dyson has the unenviable job of emulating Nile Rodgers, guest guitarist on streaming service favourite Up All Night, but does so with real swagger as the onlookers below lap up every word and sway as one. Ghost is another crowd-pleaser, huge 80’s style synths and choppy drums driving a chorus that soars so high it could almost lift the roof and cause the whole venue to float away over Clifton Suspension Bridge, like a weird sweaty version of Up. It’s down on the ground we stay though, soaking up the rays of sound like sonic sunbeams and scuffing our shoes across the floor. The Ramona Flowers’ sound wasn’t built for smaller venues, so it’s fitting to get the chance to see them in a space this large when they’re evidently at their best.
Steve Bird – vox
Dave Betts – keys/guitar
Sam Jones – guitar
Sam Gallimore – drums
FOLLOW THE RAMONA FLOWERS:
Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify | Instagram
“I’m a big mouth and always running on at people” is how Jon ‘Reverend’ McClure once explained how he got his nickname, and he isn’t half right. From the get-go he’s out in front and riffing with the crowd, his giant frame giving off an imposing aura as he and the Makers launch into the title track from his debut album The State of Things. McClure exudes charisma and obviously takes delight in performing live, excitedly chatting with his band members during instrumental sections, smiling and laughing as they go, and it reminds me that nothing quite beats seeing a band having a whale of a time as they perform. It’s not just McClure that brings the energy however, founding guitarist Ed Cosens and recently-added bassist Antonia Pooles – on loan from fellow Sheffield outfit Sophie and the Giants, both swing and stomp their way around the stage as the band whip the audience into a proper frenzy. Tonight’s show is used as a chance to debut some new material, something for which McClure is almost apologetic; “I know it’s weird when people play new songs, but they’re bangers, you’re gonna love ‘em!” and again he’s right. The title track from the upcoming album Heatwave in the Cold North and arms-in-the-air singalong High go down a storm, McClure checks in with the audience before the final chorus of the latter to ask “Do you know the words yet?” before comically pondering aloud: “Maybe what we should’ve done is released the album before the tour”.
The mid-section of the set features a few of the band’s earlier hits strung together, debut album megahits and late noughties festival favourite Open Your Window and Heavyweight Champion of the World bookend 2012’s Shine the Light, which is introduced as “The best song on Fifa”, leaving the room pumped up and insatiable for more. There are a few interesting treats in store as the regular set draws to a close too, McClure gives up the limelight and takes up the guitar for Cosens to get behind the keys and lead the room with a rendition of his own Auld Reekie Blues, before The Ramona Flowers’ Steve Bird comes out to duet with McClure on new single Problems. Having impressed on keys, Laura McClure makes the switch to trumpet as the band finish with upbeat britpop stonker Silence is Talking from 2009’s A French Kiss in the Chaos, with every blast of the horn echoed back verbally as the crowd engaged in a mass singalong. Just as we think it’s all over however, the reverend grabs an acoustic guitar and makes a beeline for the exit, leading a surprised and delighted throng out to the street for a final singalong. Making his way up some stone steps, he pauses to light a cigarette, telling us “You’ve just had an hour-and-a-half, I’m having a fag break first” before skanking his way through The Specials’ A Message to You, Rudy. Making his escape through the crowd as he darts back to the venue, McClure leaves many awestruck and happy punters in his wake. An example of live music at its very best.
Jon McClure – vox
Ed Cosens – guitar, keys, vox
Laura McClure – keys, vox
Antonia Pooles – bass
Ryan Jenkinson – drums
REVEREND AND THE MAKERS
UNVEIL NEW SINGLE ‘PROBLEMS’ – LISTEN HERE
TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING STUDIO ALBUM ‘HEATWAVE IN THE COLD NORTH’ OUT APRIL 28TH – PRE-ORDER HERE
Reverend & The Makers 2023 UK tour dates
February 2023
2 – Brighton, Concorde 2 SOLD OUT
3 – Northampton, Roadmender
4 – Cardiff Tramshed
6 – Norwich, Waterfront
7 – Liverpool, O2 Academy
9 – Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 SOLD OUT
10 – Bristol, O2 Academy
11 – London, Islington Assembly Hall SOLD OUT
13 – Glasgow, St Luke’s SOLD OUT
14 – Newcastle, University
16 – Manchester, Academy
17 – Sheffield, O2 Academy SOLD OUT
18 – Sheffield, O2 Academy EXTRA SHOW ADDED DUE TO DEMAND SOLD OUT