Reviews

An intimate atmosphere is – successfully – created with the array of tables and candles to link the two stages, and it springs to mind that to label the event as an acoustic one would be to underestimate the variety and diversity of the fare on display,

Danny Mahon (c) Ged Camera

Danny Mahon has a wry sense of humour laced with a seething disdain for hoodies and their ilk. After declaring “I wouldn’t **** on you if you were on fire/I’d rather see you burn”, he does a quick visual check of the venue, just to make sure it’s hood free. The tales are funny and entertaining, though I wonder if he needs an escort outside?

Dorne is appearing as a solo artist tonight, away from the similarly titled band she plays in. Her infectious good mood is partly due to the fact that her songs are now gaining awards and recognition.

Kevin Fox (c) Ged Camera

For two songs, she’s accompanied on cello by Sophia, who has only had two weeks to learn the songs, yet from the enjoyable mix, you’d be hard pushed to tell.

Vocally reminiscent of Elbow’s Guy Garvey or even as slightly less languid John Martyn, Kevin Fox appears on the small stage. Accompanying his voice only with a guitar, the laid back feel to his songs belies the intensity of his lyrics.

Livening things up, Danny Saul and Greg Haines are huddled over endless cables and two laptops. The deep sonorous sound of the cello fills the speakers as Danny and Greg begin their knob-twisting, interspersed with sporadic vocals, guitar or basically anything that the microphone will pick up in the room.

My Side Of The Mountain (c) Ged Camera

This is then delayed and fed back through the laptops, a dense layer of sounds spilling out across the tables. Eventually, the quarter of an hour set ends in a melee of abstract, totally live, totally original noise.

To emphasise the diversity of the event, My Side Of The Mountain take to the larger, “usual” stage. Whilst it may be delicate vocals to start with, thumping beats and keyboards finish the set in a tub thumping mode.

Alexis (c) Ged Camera

From opening this event 12 months ago, Alexis McLean is now closing it. Accompanied by her usual partner Matt Skinner, the band is fleshed out into a four piece for tonight’s performance.

There are no Tammy Wynette or Dolly Parton comparisons to be made, but the set is full of country tinged, rock numbers. No sentimental cloying is on display, merely upbeat enjoyable numbers that allow Alexis to show off her vocal talents alongside toe tapping melodies. A great end to an eclectically enjoyable night.