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.