Arborist are a band I was keen to see since 6Music have been playing a couple of their tracks recently. Fortunately they came to St Davids on Friday night as support for the returning Kacy & Clayton who this time brought a full band and really rocked the City Hall. Both acts were fantastic but Kacy & Clayton are a band I really enjoy for their great melodies and lovely twangy guitar sound and harmonies. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco produced their 2017 album The Siren’s Song so well, you know, they’re top quality. If you’ve a few minutes spare, the Arborist video for taxi is worth a watch and listen. Have a look at my pics from the night and videos below.
Music
Bros Landreth in St Davids
Joey Landreth returned to St Davids last night. After playing the smaller RAFA venue last year, he was back playing to a packed house in the City Hall with a new lineup including his brother on bass guitar. A rocking show but also with some lovely quiet moments.
Christopher Rees and Erin Rae
Erin Rae from Nashville played the RAFA club in St Davids on Friday night with support from the excellent Christopher Rees.
From Erin’s website…
Gifted with a unique ability to fuse musical genres and influences to craft songs that feel fresh and wholly her own, with her new album Putting On Airs, Erin Rae has thrown down a direct challenge to the stereotype of what a Southern singer should be. Both lyrically and sonically, she strikes a fiercely independent chord, proudly releasing a deeply personal record that reflects her own upbringing in Tennessee, including the prejudices and injustices that she witnessed as a child that continue to impact her life to this day. According to Rae, "this album was born out of a need to do some healing work in my personal life, in order to address some fears and patterns of mine to allow my true feelings to come to the surface."
Seamus Fogarty
Seamus and his band came together from far and wide to St Davids on Saturday night for the latest Boia Gigs event. What a treat it was, wonderful songs and musicianship, funny noises and funny stories all producing a great atmosphere and big smiles. His music videos are also a treat… check out those below and there’s more here too… http://seamusfogarty.com/live-action/ also check him out on Spotify (in new window)
The Specials at Glastonbury Extravaganza
A treat to see The Specials at Glastonbury Extravaganza at the weekend. I was just a punter but grabbed a few shots. It was a great show from the legends of British ska who are touring their recent No.1 album, Encore and banging out some old favourites too. A brilliant set and as usual, a top show put on in the grounds of the abbey.
Ben Ottewell
Ben Ottewell from the band Gomez played the St Davids City Hall on Friday night. It was a special night for lots of people in the audience as Ben’s distinctive voice has been part of the soundtrack to life for a good few years. The album Bring It On wasn’t ever far from the CD player long after it came out in 1998 and the following year, Liquid Skin peaked at number 2 in the album charts and cemented their reputation.
At the Q awards John Lee Hooker held a stack of Gomez albums in his hand. The blues legend, who held the discs without being prompted, astonished the audience with his praise. 'I done listen to this record over and over and I can't find no defect,' Hooker said. 'The kids like it, and the older folks are gonna catch up real soon.' - Reported by The Morning Call
Along with some Gomez favourites, Ottewell plays his own songs at live shows including a few from his latest album; A Man Apart. The distinctive voice is still great and the songs, new and old, are timeless.
