The Lottery Winners - Castle & Falcon 9/3/2021

Lottery Winners 

They assumed the same four instruments (and genders) in the same stage positions, if we're playing Mastermind, as the openers. The Lottery Winners had obviously already won over the surprisingly mature audience (I was below median age). Their charismatic ringleader and lead singer yucked it up all night long, the faux glory-hog act seeming more realistic by the end.

He did share the limelight when the bassist sang lead on Sunshine, instead of her normal co-backup vocals with Rob, the guitarist, but then the singer pulled all the glory back at the end of the tune by jokingly/seriously reminding us that he wrote it. It was all in good spirit and fun though, and the crowd got into the act shouting out what could have been heckles but we were getting it right back in return. Promising early not to do their sea shanty version of Nickelback’s Rockstar, they played only a couple tunes from this year’s EP, the only album I know by them. It didn’t really matter what they played though since the energy and atmosphere more than made up for a lack of familiarity. People were more than happy to sing and dance along, especially during the forthcoming single for which we “shot a music video” on a cell phone. I was honestly shocked when they introduced Frank Turner to the stage for the song Start Again that they did with him. I was then embarrassed (and a little disappointed) when they revealed that that too was a joke. We, the audience sang Frank’s part instead and it was still great. There was a Coldplay into Robbie Williams singalong (don’t ask) and even an on-stage magic trick that turned out to be a surprise wedding proposal (she said yes). As an encore, all but the drummer returned to sing a round with just guitar; apparently the first song they ever wrote together (in a pub). Finally, the drummer returned for one more and sent the happy crowd buzzing off into their weekend. High marks for entertainment!

Overpass

Overpass took to the stage with the chanting of their mates in the crowd and proceeded to impress friends and strangers alike. The singer was strong throated and reasonably confident for a young band, albeit playing on home turf of Birmingham. As a four-piece, everyone played their part, the female bassist holding it down, the drummer unflashy but solid (both of whom were in suits), and lead guitar being the least noticeable on stage but very skilled at his instrument. Playing their few released songs off the pop, I wondered what else they would have in the tank and it included a Joy Division cover that got everyone singing along and a soon to be released new single. Definitely a feel good set from the band that had noticeable Arctic Monkeys vibe on the vocals, and according to my mate, Phil, Catfish & the Bottlemen otherwise. I'd be happy to catch them opening again soon.

Murder Capital - Castle & Falcon Oct 12, '19

One of the hottest tickets going was this intimate venue gig nearing the end of the Murder Capital's breakout tour. Managing to snag a pair at the nth hour excitement was high in the room, and for me a chance to catch up on a clash from the End of the Road Festival at the tail end of the summer.

The openers, Happy Couple, did no favours though. While the guitarist and drummer were skilled, just having a female singer in a rock band is not enough to make you interesting. Her monotonous singing, mostly washed out anyhow, and lack of stage presence made us all anxious for it to end and get to the goods.

Murder Cap eventually came out of the dark slowly (very slowly) to rapturous applause from the surprisingly mature audience. They were very methodical in the approach to the set, taking a tact of extremely slow everything to begin with - from the one by one entrance to the music. It was a little anti-climactic in my opinion as everyone who wanted to go off was stuck plodding along. Dressed to impress the boys showed class and poise, giving much love first to each other and then to the crowd. Finally in the third song they reached a tempo that could fire up the crowd and a small mosh got going. Overall they sounded quite good, as everyone says they are set for the big time and you can both see and hear it. (Immediately following this gig they announced a new tour playing the much bigger Institute in their return in the new year.) With only 43 minutes of recorded music in their debut album they played every song and managed to draw it out to a 50 minute set which seemed acutely short after all the build up. I hoped there might be an encore - throw in a cover or a new track - but it wasn't meant to be and we filtered out. Overall it was enjoyable and the guys are worthy of the praise but I'd still like to see the next step bring them to the lofty levels of expectations that they may already be falling under.

Slowdance I

Slowdance II

On Twisted Ground

Love, Love, Love

For Everything

Green & Blue

Don’t Cling to Life

More Is Less

Feeling Fades

Rural Alberta Advantage, Yukon Blonde - Castle & Falcon - March 16, '18

Yukon Blonde

Entering the Castle and Falcon I was surprised to hear live music emanating from the back room ahead of the venue’s own set times. Sure enough, Yukon Blonde must have gone on early and were playing to a surprisingly well-filled room. Surprising only because I’d never seen any advertising for anything at this pub before this show and only noticed this gig because I knew the bands. The five of them, with a sideways, side stage drum kit and a female tucked in back were jamming out their throwback guitar rock. Besides the vocals being occasionally flat, whether due to singing or sound system I couldn’t quite tell, they were pretty tight. Playing a lot of new tunes from their last release, .. On Blonde (get it), I didn’t recognise as much as I expected, with Saturday Night being a highlight. The new single Crazy came across well and they excelled when jamming out loudly. Heads were bopping and toes tapping throughout.

Rural Alberta Advantage
I forget just how good The RAA are. Despite having seen them umpteen times it has been awhile; this the first time since the release of The Wild and it all came flooding back when they hit the stage. As an additional bonus I was stoked to see Barefoot Amy back in the fold after a departure for the recording and original tour of The Wild. The crowd were obviously here for this and rocked out right along with us up front, some more determined than others to get individual band members attention (in the form of fist bumps.) I don’t blame them too much as Paul Banwatt is still one of the best in the biz, as exhibited right in front of me, also with a sideways kit. I can’t even keep track of the rhythms and changes and he’s the one playing them. Nils brought his signature nasal to the table, slightly toned down perhaps due to sickness or maybe just evolution. While Amy was her regular geeky self, trying to impress with awkward yet endearing banter about slimy feet and all age shows. The music drew on the entire catalogue, with love throughout, though earlier tunes seemed to get a bigger reaction (perhaps that’s a personal bias though.) Don’t Haunt this Place got things revving a couple tracks in while mid set In the Summertime was beautiful as ever. For the much deserved encore Nils returned alone and rather than his old go-to of Eye of the Tiger he played an acoustic rendition of North Star that definitely mixed things up a little. He introduced it as being written about an encounter with a crush while watching a Stars gig at an Ontario festival. Finally they all came out for Deathbridge in Lethbridge for us to leave it all on the floor. I’d have liked Four Night Rider but besides that I was thoroughly pleased!