REVIEWS
Shame by Rhiannon Banks
SONGS FROM NORTHERN BRITAIN @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE & THE GREEN ROOM, STOCKTON (20.11.21) Words: Tracy Hyman Now in its sixth instalment, Songs From Northern Britain has crossed the seas and brings the sounds of Dublin to Teesside for the first time, alongside the usual Scottish and Northern English fare. Vic Galloway once again came along to introduce the established grassroots showcase, with everything from indie and rock, to folk and punk – there was something for everyone and far too many highlights to mention. Chief among the highlights was North East folk pop artist Me Lost Me, who filled the Green Room with her folky, atmospheric soundscapes. Her ethereal vocal sits upon layers of electronic effects and natural sounds of North Eastern beaches and looped sounds. A highlight of Twisterella, Lizzie Reid once again wowed the Green Room audience. She told us that she had been here before, playing in a punk band, a far cry from the mesmerising, melodic folk songs of love, loss and heartache which have led her to be shortlisted for Scottish album of the year. In sharp contrast was Shakk’s energetic performance, which had everyone jumping and singing along to the catchy rap sounds of Young Pablo. Somebody’s Child was tipped as one of the ones to watch; a largely unknown band from Dublin, they had everyone dancing in The Georgian Theatre to their upbeat indie pop sounds. Headliners Declan Welsh & The Decadent West, who joined the line-up as part of their UK tour, regaled us with hip swaggering action galore, their infectious indie rock bringing the event to a fantastic close.
NOYA RAO, LYRAS @ COBALT STUDIOS, NEWCASTLE (18.11.21) Words: Chris Maltby Live music, board games and a home cooked meal. That’s what’s on offer at Cobalt on a Thursday evening. Already a trusted addition to the weekly regime of avid music and food lovers alike, FRESH offers ticket holders dinner in front of one of Newcastle’s most understated installations of recent times, Cobalt’s new sound system. Mumbling diners were beautifully interrupted by the dreamlike vocal stylings of LYRAS’ Ada Francis, gliding smoothly over the top of developing jazz-rooted R&B rhythms elevated by a rich layer of synth. LYRAS provide
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their own brand of neo-soul doused pop (the subversive kind) and they do it with style. By the time they closed off their set with the brilliant Paradise, the crowd were visibly left wanting more. Not for long though. Next up Noya Rao; the Leeds based electronic future-soul quartet were breathtaking from the start. The drums were tight, the bass moving beneath a tectonic dreamscape of synthetic wizardry firmly embedded in the organic. The vocals were mesmerising; everything you wanted from the recordings, played with energy and conviction, every space, in every groove coming from every instrument luring you in to move along to. Comfortable head bobbing was not an option. A beautiful imagining of analogue sounds delivered across slow-movers, dancers, thinkers and everything in between.
SHAME, THE GOA EXPRESS @ BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE (21.11.21) Words: Lee Hammond Following the release of their highly rated sophomore album Drunk Tank Pink, Shame return to Newcastle for a triumphant show. Before they take to the stage though, there is the small matter of Manchester’s The Goa Express to contend with; theirs is a set filled with smart indie pop, the kind you cannot help but tap along to. Inoffensive and wholesome, they seem to be somewhat at odds with tonight’s headliners. Their brief set though is one to savour as they are certainly set for greater things. Shame are an altogether different beast, bursting onto the stage in a fervent fashion. Frontman Charlie Steen controls the crowd like a circus ringmaster, who are putty in his hands from the off. Tearing through the likes of The Lick and Concrete early on, without doubt older tracks cause a greater stir, but Drunk Tank Pink finds its time to shine. With Harsh Degrees and Snow Day receiving raucous reactions, you quickly forget the usual sedate nature of Sunday nights. Shame light up the stage with their passion and enthusiasm, Charlie continues to hold the audience in thrall as he is lifted atop the crowd which has now transformed into one seething mass of bodies flailing over the barrier. By the time the band launch into crowd favourite One Rizla the room has reached the point of hysteria. This is Shame at their absolute best, riding the excitement of the crowd and using it to channel their own scintillating performance!
