Review: Rams Pocket Radio at The Strand Arts Centre

Rams Pocket Radio

Strand Arts Centre

Saturday the 29^th March

9pm, Peter McCauley aka Rams Pocket Radio walks on stage; “Welcome to the Strand Arts Centre,” he says before taking his seat and ever-so-lightly beginning the first song. ‘Aria’ is distinctly delicate, easing the slightly awkward audience into this live performance.

Joining Rams on stage tonight are experimental drummer Dave W Stockard, cellist Lizzy Donaghy and violinist Sabrina Rodgers. At this retro venue the eclectic mix of contemporary and classic proves a perfect fit.

Rams quickly moves into ‘Provocative Injustice Is God’, and while still in warm-up mood, he fingers the piano with more force than before.

Drummer Dave puts away his cotton topped sticks as Rams begins the instantly recognisable crowd pleaser ‘1+2’. Energy is increased from the whole band spurring the audience to get involved and enjoy some head nods and feet tapping.

Rams finishes his opening set and turns to speak to the audience; “This is slightly unconventional to spilt up the set, but it’s a really weird scenario anyway, (referring to the cinema set up) so I’d like to welcome Hannah McPhillimy on stage”.

She begins, sitting in Rams seat, playing his piano and it is clear from the first note that this young lady is a very accomplished musician. The drummer uses rutes, rods, brushes and even a string bow to create various sounds, and the effect is soft and rolling, building as the songs gather emotion and strength.

With lyrics including “let it all be still”; “I’m the right kind of messed up” and “I might choose home one day”, she has an edgy style but with a distinct Irish feel. Over her four song set, her voice is simply stunning; strong, beautiful and captivating. .

Taking to the stage again for two more including ‘Coal’ and ‘Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios’, it seems the interlude has proved a success as the sound and energy on stage is more upbeat. Rams slaps the piano with his palm to create tone, and the strings join in at chorus to tie the production together.

Alana Henderson, the second support act appears. She sits straddling a cello of her own; she plucks and strikes the strings; her own beat timed perfectly with the drummer. Her voice is ethereal, her lyrics include the words ‘doves’, ‘moons’, ‘wax’ and ‘tide’. It’s a magical retro folk performance.

The final three song set of the evening see’s Rams return with ‘Dogs Run In Packs’, ‘Friendship Fails You’ and ‘Shadows’. Tonight, it is evident that the new Ram’s material has shifted his style in terms of voice maturity and strength, and lyric depth; unfortunately his last set performance lacked momentum and ends with the distinct feeling that he has held something back from us.

Still, an intriguing set up for this gig - in presentation and structure - has made tonight an interesting musical experiment.

Laura Heather Mac