Kyla La Grange @ Edge Hill Rose Theatre 25/10/12

 Anyone who has had their heart broken at least once will understand the mix of both anger and sadness that it brings. On her debut album, Kyla La Grange battles with both feelings, singing with all the power and fierceness of a woman scorned, mixed with the fragility and honesty of someone pained. Nothing is by halves, and in the world of 'Ashes', love is a matter of life and death.

Tonight Kyla brings her dark melodrama to Edge Hill's Rose Theatre, and as she takes the stage dressed all in black she has an allure and mystery surrounding her that is difficult to pinpoint, making Kyla herself intriguing and intense to watch. With a voice both strange and beautiful, she harnesses all the power of her lungs on opening track 'Walk Through Walls', a song that seems to suffer from poor production on record but translates live to a huge, enchanting, multi-layered track that sounds bigger than the amphitheatre it's being performed in. A hypnotic guitar riff brings us into most recent single 'Been Better' as Kyla confidently takes control over a past lover, belting 'I took the lead instead of being lead'.

But it's through the stripped back songs that Kyla really shines.The lights are plunged into darkness, leaving only a spotlight and a few scattered fairy lights as she breaks into the haunting 'To Be Torn'. Led only by a slow piano, every tremble and ounce of honesty can be heard in her voice as she stuns the room into silence. ‘I’m sorry that I failed’ she pleads with desperation and a lump in her throat, as the confident powerhouse from before appears now as a small, lone figure on the stage. A moving and mournful moment before Kyla picks up her acoustic guitar to finish on ‘Vampire Smile'. Although at times the album can feel claustophobic and despite the fact there is nothing overly ground-breaking to find, it’s obvious that Kyla has clear talent and interesting potential, ultimately making for a curious live act that will no doubt be one to watch for the future.

Dry The River @ Liverpool Kazimier 24/10/12

Dry The River are difficult band to pin down. Despite bearing all the hallmarks of folk (the elemental name, beards, acoustic guitars and even a violinist) the five-piece harbour a background in hardcore and post-punk bands that really comes to fruition in the live show.

As they enter the stage, frontman Peter Liddle stands barefoot, with his long-blonde locks hanging loose, looking almost like a fragile woodland creature. No hint of the absolute overwhelming voice that he is about to unleash. A quiet ripple of guitar opens into 'Shield Your Eyes', a song encased in the biblical and classical language that is all often found often in the band's writing, and when combined with the right amount of heavy guitar and the passion in Peter's vocals it really does create something magic. The band powers through old EP favourite 'New Ceremony' before slowing things down. Stripping back to just an acoustic guitar and a violin, Peter breaks into the heartfelt and fragile 'Bible Belt' wherein he recounts an emotional tale of a family ravaged by alcoholism. This leads straight into most recent single 'No Rest', and as Peter almost screams the final chorus of 'I loved you in the best way possible' the crowd can feel every ounce of passion and heartache.

The band step back from their mics for 'Weights & Measures' which begins a capella before plugging back in mid-way to end in a wild goose bump inducing crescendo, showing their ability to take a song from quiet strings to full blown euphoria in a matter of minutes. The set is brought to a dramatic close with 'Lions Den', a giant wall of sound with passionate shouting vocals and thumping bass that is returned with an equally loud response of cheers and applause from the audience which doesn't end even after the band have exited up the stairs behind them. And just as people think the night is over, the curtains are drawn back and we find the boys sat, dangling their legs above the stage. 'Since you've been so amazing we thought we'd sing you one more from up here if that's alright' bassist Scott Miller announces as they slowly break in to a completely a capella flaws-and-all version of 'Shaker Hymns'. The most magical end to the most magical evening.

Spector @ Liverpool O2 Academy 16/10/12

Currently slap bang in the middle of their mammoth UK tour, Spector tonight bring their indie-synth sounds to Liverpool's O2 Academy. The night begins with a throwback to the 90's thanks to first support band Swim Deep who bring their beach grunge vibes to the proceedings. As the entire crowd are already dancing with drinks in the air to last song 'Honey', I know it's going to be one of those nights. Next up, continuing the theme are grunge revivalists Splashh who leave everybody suitably warmed up for our final act on the bill.
      Harnessing their experience from a tour with Florence + the Machine and an entire Summer of festivals, Spector pull out a tight, high-octane set that is brimming with charisma and energy. Opening on 'Twenty Nothing' frontman Fred Macpherson and crowd alike engage in a bout of reckless jumping and flailing that rarely slows down throughout the night. The room becomes a hot, sweaty mess as the band powers through singles 'What You Wanted' and 'Chevy Thunder' only slowing down for Fred to introduce album track 'No Adventure' by teaching the crowd the backing vocals, resulting in a mass gospel singalong mid-segue. Finishing on the massive 'Never Fade Away' Fred announces that tonight's audience has been the best he's seen at a Spector gig and as they leave the stage to huge applause, a lasting chant of 'you know I'll never fade away' continues from the crowd. And judging by their performance tonight, I'm pretty sure that Spector are going to do anything but.

Young Colossus @ Corsica Studios 5/9/12

This year Orlando Weeks, along with friends Nic Nell and Alessi Laurent-Marke (of Alessi's Ark) released a wonderful limited edition 6 track EP under the pseudonym of Young Colossus all compiled into a beautifully illustrated book by Robert Hunter. The EP and book combined tell a sweet coming of age story
with a soundtrack that gives hints of Karen O & the Kids, Fever Ray and Animal Collective so if (like me) you like that kinda thing you should definitely give it a listen.

Being a huge fan of the project, when a one off live show was announced I knew I had to be there. And so once again I find myself on a train down to London's Elephant and Castle district to the quaint (and bloody hard to find!) Corsica Studios. As I'm walking down the street I hear an 'OI, SCOTT!' from across the road and to my surprise it's Felix White from The Maccabees who tells me he's been called in last minute to play some guitar parts. 'I've got no idea what I'm doing man but it's gonna be fun!'. Fe isn't the only friend Orlando has drafted in to help tonight, as joining himself, Alessi, Rob & Nic on stage we also have Louis & Sami from La Shark.

Given the visual element of the project it's no surprise to find that this has translated to the live performance too. The room itself is shrouded in mist and fog and as I make my way through the scattered leaves and hanging vines to the giant illuminated moon at the end of the room it feels like I've walked not into a tiny studio but rather into another world. Tonight we're treated to every song from the EP, some given extra verses and extended instrumentals to make up for the short length of the record. The eerie, glimmering sounds fit perfectly with the surroundings, and highlights for me are the beautifully monotonous 'Franky', the bizzare 'Monster's Dance' and the never-before-heard demo 'Hope'. After the last song, Orlando thanks everybody for coming and announces that to commemorate the special one off occasion everybody is being given a stunning B2 poster designed by Robert Hunter to be collected at the box office on the way out. The icing on the cake to what has already been a very special evening. Here's hoping to another Young Colossus venture in the future.

The Maccabees @ London Alexandra Palace 8/6/12

And there I was thinking that I'd already seen the band for the last time this year when they go and announce a one off gig at London's mammoth Alexandra Palace. It was no doubt going to be a defining moment in the bands career, and was I going to miss it? Of course not. Running late (due to getting extremely lost in London) I quite honestly didn't think I would make it to the palace before doors opened but just as I left my hotel I got a phone call from a friend telling me that I was now on the VIP guest list which meant I would no longer have to queue and that I would have access to the intimate after show party after the gig. Frankly, I couldn't believe my luck.

      Making the huge pilgrimage up the hill amongst the hundreds of other gig-goers, the buzz and excitement was already growing for what we were all about to experience in the ginormous building up ahead.  Inside I met up with my friends in the holding court and it wasn't long until they open the giant double doors into the main room and everybody flooded in rushing to get to the front. Before long the first support act of the night Baxter Dury made his entrance. Having never heard of him before I wasn't sure what to expect, but his music recalled early Blur and he was enjoyable enough. British Sea Power were up next, the highlight for me being 'Waving Flags' with an epic extended outro that included a guy in a bear suit dancing on stage and culminated in the lead singer throwing up his guitar and flooring himself whilst catching it. All good. And before I knew it it was time for the boys themselves.

       The 10,000 capacity venue behind me was now full and I couldn't help but feel almost somewhat emotional that the band I'd followed for so long had made it to this point and that I was there to witness it. Backed by a ginormous screen that pictured their every move, the band took their place on the stage, each member illuminated by an orange glow from a floodlight. Entering into opener 'Child' and screams of applause, the night had begun. To reflect the special nature of the night, everything had been taken up a notch. The crowd were insane throughout and the highlights for me were the addition of 'Young Lions' (one of my all time favourite Maccabees songs), the use of three ginormous disco balls to make the entire room glow during 'Glimmer', the anthemic singalong during 'Go', a new version/mash up of of 'Latchmere' & 'About Your Dress', 'Heave' being played for the first time, Felix making the entire crowd jump in unison during 'Can You Give It', the amazing light show and lasers during 'Unknow', the crowd being louder than Orlando during the chorus of 'Precious Time' and of course the finale of 'Grew Up At Midnight' wherein people knew it was the last song and just let themselves go in a giant bout of euphoric jumping and flailing. Looking around me I could even see a few tears.

       So it ended and I left bruised, bleeding from two fingers, my face and hair wet with sweat and feeling very, very proud. After a while we made our way down in the VIP area and being totally unaware, all the people here were dressed up for a party and I stood out like a sore thumb (excuse the pun) with my post gig sweaty fringe and scuffed up backpack. Despite feeling very out of place I took the plunge and went inside. It was extremely dark and I could barely recognise my friends let alone anybody else but I kept wandering about on the lookout for any of the boys. Eventually I found Felix and after chatting for a while I passed him a gift that I'd been working on for a while to thank The Maccabees for everything they'd done for me and generally for just being such nice blokes. He seemed completely overwhelmed and his reaction (almost crushing me with a string of hugs) just proved that he really is one of the nicest people I've met and that they deserved everything that was happening to them. And so after one last giant hug we parted ways for now and went off to enjoy the party.

 As I left to join the queue at the bar to grab a drink I started to feel a lot more relaxed until I spotted some of the members from Florence + the Machine already at the bar in front of me. Now it isn't hard to decipher that I am a pretty big Florence + the Machine fan and I've followed them for a very long time. No sooner had I thought to myself ‘no way can she be here’ did Florence herself walk through the door in all her ethereal glory. Realising it would probably be the only time I’ll ever get to meet her in this kind of environment I took the plunge and went over, introduced myself and said I was a huge fan. She was extremely sweet and polite and we chatted for a while. I brought my friend with me who has a Florence related tattoo, to which Florence went crazy for and even took out her phone to get a photo of it (not before fist bumping it to give it 'the Florence power'). A very bizarre but extremely lovable lady.

       The rest of the night went like a blur. I had the traditional few cigarettes with Hugo (who was very drunk or very high at this point and kept hugging me and everyone lots) and spoke to a few other very lovely people before deciding to call it a night at about 2.30. We went round all the Maccabees thanking them and saying our goodbyes. Before we left my friend asked when we would be seeing them again, and a little birdy may have told me the boys will be setting out on another tour from this September. And I for one won’t be missing any of it for the world.

Lucy Rose @ Liverpool Eric's 25/5/12

After a cancelled train and 3 painful bus rides, my night wasn't exactly going as planned, but eventually I made it to Liverpool and thankfully it was so worth it.

After a quick scout in town, flanked by the famous Cavern Club, I found Eric's club and walked down into what can only be described as a pretty cosy cellar. Surprisingly I only found about 20ish people there (I guessed this was because it was an 18+ gig and I noted people at the door being refused for lack of ID) but it made the whole gig extremely intimate and like you were watching something really special all to yourself. The show began with everybody sat awkwardly near the back on stools but Lucy joked into the mic that she felt a little intimated with everyone being so far away so in a sign of respect the entire room in unison stood up and shifted forward leaving us only 2 ft away from her as she was singing. A beautiful experience to say the least. Opening with an extended version of 'Middle Of the Bed' Lucy's voice sounds beyond perfect, and it continues throughout the night as she debuts a large chunk of material from her upcoming album. Each song sounded great (in fact there wasn't a single dud song on the setlist) and the night ends with Lucy getting the audience to participate in a shouting part during 'Bikes'. It was a beautiful evening and I for one will definitely be there on the next tour (which will no doubt be in much larger venues than tonight) and I'm no doubt sure when she hits the big time everyone from tonight will one day be recounting 'the time I saw Lucy Rose play in a dingy cellar back in the day....'

The Maccabees @ Wolverhampton Civic 19/3/12

(via @lasharkband)

Having been here a few times now I have to admit the Civic Hall is one of my favorite venues in England. It's large enough to hold a decent sized crowd but also small enough to retain an intimacy with the band without managing to seem cramped. About half the room is already full when La Shark make their entrance and, judging by the looks on the faces of the people around me, the sudden influx of tie-dye tshirts to the stage, electronic hooks and theatrics of front man Samuel Deschamps were not what they were expecting. Despite their in-your-face attitude and downright strangeness, La Shark are all kinds of fun and near the end of their set at least most people seem won over. Definitely a band to be experienced live at least once.

And once again, it's time for The Maccabees themselves. Knowing tonight was the last date I was able to go to I couldn't help but feel pretty sad that the UK tour has finally come to an end, so to see it out me and my friend got a little drunk and pushed our way to the second row. Proving their consistency, the boys are on point as usual and all thoughts of a lazy Sunday evening are erased as the entire room is jumping in unison only 2 songs in. Along with all the usual set-list regulars, we're given a special outing of 'Ayla'  for the first time this tour and as the glimmering piano riff leads into the all too familiar last song 'Grew Up At Midnight' I knew the night was almost over.  I danced like an idiot, gained many bruises and had beer poured all over me but it was the perfect ending to a perfect tour. It was a night I won't forget and I left reminded once more why The Maccabees are my most beloved live band.

Florence + the Machine @ Manchester Arena 15/3/12

This week has been quite something. I've seen my favourite band, my favourite solo artist and now to climax the week, my favourite mix of the two - the mighty, the ethereal, the force of nature that are Florence + the Machine prepare to take on Manchester Arena. The last time I saw Florence play live was 2009 in a considerably smaller venue and it was undoubtedly one of the best gigs I had ever been to, but when it was announced that Flo would be taking on the largest arenas around the country, I was suprised to say the least. I worried that the space would take away the sheer force and power you get from seeing Florence in a small venue, and secondly I questioned whether she was actually now big enough to fill them.

A big place needs a big line up and tonight we're treated to three acts on the bill. The night begins with first support act Spector erupting onto stage with recent single 'What You Wanted'. Showing that they're exactly what you want from a support, 'Chevy Thunder' really gets the crowd moving. Front man Fred Macpherson cuts an outline of Buddy Holly with a personality that splits opinion, but as he comically mocks a girl on the front row for texting (or as Fred puts it - 'updating her bebo') during their set, it's hard not to like him. Exiting with 'Never Fade Away' to huge applause, it isn't a huge stretch to imagine Spector filling out venues this big in a few years time.

Next up we have The Horrors. I've heard so many great things about this band and Skying is unarguably a great album but I couldn't help feel extremely disappointed. A 45 minute set with no interaction with the crowd or song introductions it was no surprise that people began to get restless, and after 20 minutes large groups around us began to sporadically sit down. I tried my hardest to feel the atmosphere, I wanted the songs to sweep over me and fill the arena with their dreamlike sound but sadly, it just didn't happen. Frontman Faris was barely audible, possibly a sound problem, but after final song 'Still Life' (which was the highlight of the set) I can't say I was left wanting more. Plenty of people's cup of tea, but unfortunately not mine.

Now, looking behind and around me I notice that the arena is in fact, full. Florence may have had a meteoric rise to fame through Ceremonials but a part of me still can't believe that the barefoot, crazy bat lady I fell in love with all those years ago is now about to perform a headline set to a crowd of 21,000. As the lights dim and the curtain falls, the sound of church bells echo around the arena to break into opening song 'Only If For A Night'. Florence appears behind a back light framed by art deco paneling. A shadowy silhouette, she utters the first line of the song before stepping out into the open to screams, applause and thousands of camera flashes. Adorned in a long black cloak and her fiery hair parted down the centre she looks every inch the renaissance goddess - almost as though she's just fallen out of a Dante Gabriel Rosetti painting.

The theatrics have been taken to another level, as you would expect from an arena show. The stunning lights and decoration have come a long way from the days of a few scattered flowers and birdcages. And it's not just the stage that's improved, breaking into 'What The Water Gave Me' Florence's vocals soar to new hights and with staggering power, leading into the euphoric crescendo which has the crowd losing themselves in the music. Already an incredibly captivating performer, Florence's stage presence has increased tenfold. Demanding 'human sacrifices' (people on shoulders) to be raised up during 'Rabbit Heart' and for the crowd to jump on command during 'Dog Days Are Over'. Everyone obeys without question. The room is in service of their flame haired goddess.

Mid show the band exits to leave Florence and guitarist Rob Ackroyd centre stage to perform a trio of acoustic songs. This offers the only intimate part of the show, Florence explaining pre-'Heartlines' about how she wrote it when she was missing her family and feeling lonely on tour. This made the room listen even more intently and it felt somewhat sad to wonder of the sacrifices an artist must make to live the lifestyle they do. However, it's not long before that long note on a church organ plays and we're led into the intro of 'Shake It Out'. As is so often with Florence's music, the drums are everything, and Christopher Lloyd-Hayden attacks them with visceral energy. Dedicating the song to 'anyone who's had a heavy weekend' Florence skips barefoot around her art deco stage with constant joy visible on her face, never dropping her beaming smile. This is a woman who lives for what she does.

Flo returns for her encore with a rendition of 'You've Got the Love' - a teasing slow version that builds up and erupts into a chorus of the crowd trying to hit that high note at the end. The night ends on 'Never Let Me Go', a stunning ballad that has the entire arena swaying their hands from side to side, and even after Florence has taken her final bow and left the stage, the chant of 'never let me go, never let me go' still continues from the crowd. A moving farewell.

And so, I was proven wrong. Florence had more than enough power and presence to fill an entire arena, and no doubt in the future even stadiums. A small niggle inside me can't help but miss the reckless, half-cut 'Lungs Florence', but the elegant, poised Ceremonials Flo is without a doubt one of the best performers on the planet right now. But really, the thing that made Florence what she is, and what will continue to make her so unique is ever present - her hurricane voice and the euphoric release that it brings. Things can only go up from here, and it couldn't happen to someone more deserving.

The Maccabees @ Liverpool 02 Academy 12/3/12

So the March tour is upon me already. The night begins with the news that support band La Shark would be unable to make it to the show to perform. This was sad news because a) I had heard so many amazing things about their live show and was really excited to finally see it in person and b) because I'd been chatting to the guys a few days before and they'd kindly offered to put me on the guest list. Luckily I already had a spare ticket to get in, but bad news for my friend that I'd brought along! I entered (now alone) into the academy to another sold out venue, packed right to the back and all around the balconies. I couldn't help but ponder how quickly the band have become one of the most loved in the country. I felt quietly proud.

With the fans, and the band themselves, now having had 3 months to get to grips with Given to the Wild there was definitely a notable difference in the show. The earlier bout of touring has given the boys the experience they needed to translate the new, more delicate style of GTTW to the stage and the new songs were received with the same amount of reaction as the old . My highlight of the night was hearing 'Glimmer' (my favourite song off the new record) live for the first time,  as lights beamed off a disco ball making the entire room shimmer silver. It was one of those special live moments that reminded me just how special this band is.

For me, one of the best things about The Maccabees themselves is that you can visibly see how much it means to them. Jumping about on stage, grinning during songs and the way they throw quick glances and smiles at each other now and then, you can tell it means just as much to them to be there as it does to the loyal legions of fans they are performing to. The encore ends with 'Precious Time' and the largest crowd sing along of the night - even louder than Orlando himself.  Bowing out to 'Grew up at Midnight' every arm is in the air, and as the goosebumps fly up my back I know that I'm not gonna be able to leave this tour behind just yet without experiencing at least one more show.

Laura Marling @ Manchester Apollo 9/03/12

Two tours within the space of 6 months? I believe Miss. Marling is spoiling me. 'The Wisdom of Spring Tour' takes place within some of the larger venues around the UK and tonight Marling will take on the Manchester Apollo, a 3500 capacity venue right in the heart of the city. With my mind still fresh from the cathedral show,  I entered a little worried that this may be completely the wrong place for such an intricate artist, but Laura being Laura, she managed to prove me wrong.

The night started out with Mr. Pete Roe supporting who I’ve wanted to see for a long while. Already a part of Laura's band line up, he just has that good old fashioned Englishman-who-sings-in-a-pub aura about him which I love. After he finished his short but sweet set we slipped out to get a drink (the advantages of allocated seating) and ended up bumping into him by the merch stand which resulted in us having a chat. He was a complete gentleman to my friend and I and he even ended up passing me a signed EP. A lovely guy all round.

Not long after we'd just sat back down, it was time for Laura herself. I honestly don’t know how she does it but she somehow manages to keep getting better and to keep on stunning me. The set-list included a lot of my favourites, which is something that doesn't tend to happen very often (unless you're lucky) and it made the whole show feel a bit more personal  - my highlight being a solemn rendition of 'Blackberry Stone' that would have tugged at even the coldest of hearts.

Since Laura is known for usually being pretty ambiguous, it was a surprise for her to give a rare insight into the meaning behind one of her songs ('Alas, I Cannot Swim') and how it was inspired by an Iranian poem that her godfather used to read to her when she was a little girl. It felt significant in some way, since we got to see a small glance into a personal life that she never really touches upon. 

The biggest change for me was the addition of a light show. For me, Marling needs nothing more than to just stand there and sing and she would captivate anybody but the new addition of the lights and projectors took the whole thing to another level. Barren trees projected onto the walls behind her for some songs, and things like grey buildings during 'Alpha Shallows' that burst into white lights just as Laura sings 'we are basic light' went a way to making up for the scenery and atmosphere that somehow felt lacking compared to the cathedral shows.

 New song 'Pray For Me' (which has already become one of my favourites) got one of it's first outings of the tour and made me even more eager for what was to come next for Laura Marling. After final song 'I Speak Because I Can' she exits the stage to another standing ovation - something I would say she is pretty used to by now. She may not have set the world on fire tonight, but thanks to the fact Laura is one of those rare artists gifted with the ability to make any sized venue feel like an intimate show, it still felt (in a word I all too often associate with her) special. Leaving, I feel somewhat sad that it might be a while before I manage to see her again, but word is that Laura has already started work in the studio on her newest record, and frankly, judging from the new songs, it's going to be worth the wait.

The Maccabees @ HMV Ritz 28/01/2012

Here I was, at the front of the queue preparing to watch my favourite band. For so many years I have cited The Maccabees as the best guitar band in the country, picking up Colour It In when I was only 15, I've followed their career for a very a long time. And now, looking behind me at the size of the queue, it's apparent that new album Given to the Wild has brought the attention of so many more willing fans.

About 20 minutes before doors open, guitarist brothers Felix & Hugo White leave through the front door, only going to pick up some things pre-show but instead walk over to the line of people queuing to say hello and to have a small chat. 'Nice shirt man!' Felix says as he approaches me, hand already outstretched for a handshake. After only a couple of minutes of talking to him he's already one of the most likable people I have ever met, seeming genuinely humbled that people were queuing early to get a good spot. 'Make sure you all stay warm!' he exclaims as he finally leaves. It left me feeling somewhat endeared knowing that my favourite musicians are not only extremely talented but also nice human beings.

Thanks to our early arrival, we got centre front row on the barrier directly in front of Orlando’s mic and it was amazing as expected. The atmosphere was electric, causing me to leave covered in bruises, aching all over and still quivering with excitement. If you've seen The Maccabees live you’ll get how energetic it is but if not then I implore everyone to go to a show at least once. Highlights from the night included the euphoric crescendo of 'Feel to Follow', fan favourite 'Wall of Arms' and new crowd pleaser 'Pelican'.

Bumping into front man Orlando Weeks post show, I congratulated him on a fantastic show. Instantly he was incredibly friendly and stood chatting with us for a good while, asking us questions about where we were from and what we'd been up to. He even complemented me on my shirt as I replied 'Felix said the exact same thing earlier! He really is a lovely guy'. 'I have a theory that he's actually the nicest man in the world' Orlando replies 'if there was a competition for it I would definitely enter him'

If there really was a competition for nicest guy in the world I would have no hesitation in entering both the guysI met that night.  There is no faux cocky frontman persona here but a stumbling, awkward, lovable gentleman. After saying our goodbyes I left completely vindicated that I had championed them as one my favourite bands all these years and looking excitedly on wards to the tour later in March.

Laura Marling @ Liverpool Cathedral 29/10/11

A gig in a cathedral was definitely a first for me. I'm more used to the hot, stuffy rooms and the loud, crowded arenas but the minute we began climbing the dark hill to reach the cathedral looming in the distance I knew this was going to be something special. After rushing to grab some front row seats we all sat huddled in our chunky cardigans and coats excited, cold, and highly anticipating what was to come.

Walking on stage, with her platinum blonde locks catching the light as she moved, Laura looked almost an ethereal being. An ethereal being that was about to unleash an even more magical voice. Opening on new song 'I Was Just A Card', the longest cathedral in the world managed to help transform Laura's voice from a thing of already great beauty to an altogether different wonder. Every note lingered. Every falsetto sent shivers. The entire room was already cast under the Marling spell.

The acoustic part of the show was where this was most apparent. The band leaving Laura to perform solo, with a single light on her and the rest of us plunged in darkness. Each note echoed around the walls and she seemed to command all the power of a choir with her voice alone. The intensity peaking during 'Night After Night', where Marling appeared not now as a 21 year old girl, but rather as an incarnation of some ancient muse, recounting a tale from centuries old. Nobody dared even whisper.

The band returned for final song 'Rambling Man', an old favourite for everyone, ending in rapturous applause, a standing ovation and screams of 'I LOVE YOU LAURA!' (myself included) But the truth is Marling was indeed loved enough to pack out one of the largest cathedrals in the world, not a feat that many artists could pull off. And looking round, everyone that night knew they had experienced something special. Leaving, Marling had been cemented in my mind as the unrivaled songwriter of my generation one of the modern greats.

Patrick Wolf @ HMV Ritz 26/10/11

I'll be honest, I had never really payed Patrick Wolf much attention. I was always aware of his music but had never delved deep enough to truly get myself hooked, that is until this year when I met someone who had been raving about him, his new album and about his newly announced tour. On the basis that 'it had to be better than sitting in' I went along to his show with an open mind not really knowing what to expect.

As I entered the venue and looked around, it was instantly obvious Patrick has an extremely eclectic fan base, ranging from excited young girls, the hipster types, some laddish types who seemed to have drunk a bit too much and of course the dedicated fans, guarding their place on the barrier. I was to later learn that this was all reflective of Patrick himself and the range of his music. The stage itself is cluttered with every amount of instrument imaginable. You name it, it's there.

As soon as he walks on stage he instantly commands the attention of everyone in the room. 6'5, dressed all in black save a port coloured jacket with his mop of black hair and clutching a ukulele he looks every ounce the mythical folk-like being. He begins the set with an acoustic version of 'Hard Times' which fades into past single 'Time of my Life' wherein he walks along the front row taking the hands of the people he passes whilst looking right into each individual persons eyes. It feels intense but also a warm welcoming - a wordless thank you for coming.


Spot the Wolf?

The lyrics and the songs themselves range from depression and death to love and celebration - Patrick taking each to the maximum level. Highlights of the night are fan favourite 'Tristan', the stunning melancholic 'Bluebells' and new song 'Together' where he stage dives into the crowd to offer hugs, handshakes and dances with fans whilst belting the lyrics 'we can do this so much better, together'. You can really feel the sense of unity. Everyone in the room is on Patrick's side now. He finishes the set with a duo of 'The Magic Position' that gets the whole crowd dancing and newest single 'The City' that receives the biggest sing-a-long of the night. Patrick comes along the front row once more shaking hands with everyone and thanking us personally before jumping back on stage, taking a final bow and exiting the stage.



As I leave the venue I can hear so many whispers of 'oh my god that was amazing' - and I had to agree. It was one of the most enjoyable gigs I had been to in a very long time. I left feeling uplifted, resfreshed and Mr. Wolf had most definitely found a new fan in me.

Hello!