Borderland

The Pixies are just as relevant now as they were when they first started.

Black Francis is still the driving force of yesteryear and is supported by Joey Santiago (guitar), David Lovering (drums) and Paz Lenchantin (who replaced Kim Shattuck and in tun Kim Deal). While Black Francis is the focal point of any Pixies concert, the underpinning contributions of the other three are critical. This was always the case in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Black Francis was a solo artist.

Despite some good tunes he was never the same live without Joey and David to drive the sound. They are a powerful quartet with a tremendous back catalogue. The Pixies don't know how to deliver a bad concert. So go and see them and enjoy yourself.

Just when you think The Head and The Heart can't get any better you hear them live. From the first note I was captivated by their sound - that can only be perfected by those who hold the purest form of musical talent.
When listening to their songs, you realize these are true musicians. Through their songs beautiful emotions are conveyed touching your heart. This is not a high energy, wild concert. However, it speaks to the true music lovers. The name "The Head and The Heart" is an accurate portrayal of their songs overall. You can tell they are so deeply and well thought out (the head), but carry so much meaning to themselves and their listeners (the heart). This indie-folk band has characteristics that are sure to appeal to any music lover. If planning on seeing The Head and The Heart live, I can promise from experience they will exceed all of your expectations.

Like the sorely missed Civil Wars, St. Paul and the Broken Bones is in that glorious category of acts which explode into life when you see them live. Sometimes, gigs feel like little more than a recreation of an album, but here dancing, and acting is key. I was absolutely entranced when I saw this seven piece soul band from Birmingham, Alabama at the Dot to Dot Festival in May, despite their short set. Yet this time was even more absorbing thanks to the fuller venue. Last night, as drinkers joined cerebral types like me, there was no lack of enthusiasm or dancing. In the US, their album Half the City reached number three in the iTunes chart, and they've had significant television exposure. Happily, it appears that recognition on this side of the Atlantic is starting to catch up. Comparisons with Alabama Shakes are obvious: Half the City was produced by the keyboard player from that band, Ben Tanner, and recorded in Muscle Shoals. Both bands are absolutely scintillating live, whilst a charismatic female front person in Brittany Howard is exchanged for a male star. Paul Janeway is evidence of the folly of judging people by appearance. Wearing a formal lounge suit, he refrains from alcohol, and claims to prefer an evening in watching Netflix to going out. But far from being reserved, his voice has immense range, being stretched as he croons. The real surprise is his dancing: Paul's a charismatic figure, constantly coming to the edge of the stage, and physically engaging with the audience. The show was incredibly energising, and with increased experience performing in larger venues in America, the band has become louder and tighter, opening with an exciting instrumental number to ratchet up the tension before Paul came onto stage. In the unlikely case you're not mesmerised by his antics, there's plenty of other action to watch with a band consisting of trombone and trumpet players, organ, guitars and Andrew Lee's powerful drumming. With only one album, the hour long main set was expanded with covers, notably their inspiration Otis Redding's I've Been Loving You Too Much. These Alabama natives play retro soul: like Israel Nash, they look to the past for inspiration, yet these sounds are deeply ingrained in their Southern culture. and flow from the heart. The world is exceptionally fortunate that Paul Janeway didn't pursue his calling to become a Pentecostal preacher. Yet, watching him whip the audience into a frenzy suggests that he's channelling this passion to a different and wider audience. Indeed, in an interview he admitted: 'Singing or preaching, it's the same kind of thing... It's very much like church to me', Of course, music can be spiritual, whether or not it references religious subjects. Paul learnt to sing in the church, and the band is so steeped in the deep south's evangelical tradition that it's impossible not to absorb the frenzied enthusiasm. I can relate to the friend who drove for seven hours to see St. Paul and the Broken Bones in New Mexico recently; and feel so fortunate to been at the front, amidst the joyful atmosphere created by these rising stars.

Leftover Salmon have created a solitary rare and completley indepedent sound that gathers influences from bluegrass and country, as well as ideas of thier own, creating this awesome genre they call 'Pollyethnic Cajun Slamgrass.' Now take this band and put them infront of a crowd and the crowd are left always smiling.
7 albums down and surely another to go, Leftover Salmon creation of this incrediblly unique genre makes their live performances memorable and extraordinary. Tremelo picking, 12 bar blues, from slow to fast, acoustic guitars and banjos- its a guessing game what the band are going to do live. It keeps you on your toes and tapping your toes.
Bluegrass is a powerful genre in itself, it allows people to really connect with a song but makes sure your always dancing or reaching out for the band. Leftover Salmon have taken the bluegrass and smacked its butt till its gone red-they've turned it into a naughty creature which they let loose live and its fantastic.

These guys are amazing!!! Each band member brings such a strong musical talent and I loved the free spirit flow of the whole show! Highly recommend seeing them live! Andy was awesome at connecting with the crowd! Keep rocking those bare feet dude!