Larkin Poe live @ Night and Day Cafe, Manchester

Ten seconds. 

That's all. 

Just ten seconds in to Larkin Poe taking the stage and I knew this was going to be one of the best gigs I've seen in a long time. They arrived in a whirlwind of power and energy,encapsulating everyone in the crowd as they jammed out a fierce opening.

The venue for tonight's gig is The Night and Day Cafe, an old haunt in Manchester where I caught the Civil Wars some years ago, and we're treated to an opening performance from Jarrod Dickenson. Hands up.  I hadn't heard of this guy before but boy, do I know who he is now. A burley Texan who took complete command of the stage whilst accompanied by his beautiful Irish wife. Jared definitely had the feel of David Rawlings about his playing with elements of Jason Isbell to his voice. I picked up a CD and I'll bring you a review of that very soon.

Jarrod Dickenson doing his thing.

As Jarrod took his bow and worked his way through the crowd, up stepped sisters Lovell and their merry band to make mayhem on stage. It almost feels like a refreshed band as their music has certainly taken a more rock based direction than the more mellow previous releases. It suits them. They bound off of each other on stage, smiles plastered on their faces and fly through the opening few tracks, even dropping into a spontaneous rendition of Black Betty which really got the crowd whooping and a hollaring.

Rebecca Lovell takes lead on vocals and guitars and is unwavering in her poise and purpose as she completely blows the roof off with her voice. When she really lets loose she channels the raw beauty of Janis Joplin, fuelled by emotion and flawlessly harmonic. Rebecca's sister, Megan, takes control of the slide guitar and I'm not doing her justice by saying her playing would be worth the admission fee alone. What Megan can do with the lap steel is beyond the realms of normality, it's a screeching, scrawling thunderclap that she masterfully uses to create ambience in the dialled down songs, room filling solos in the rockier numbers and the odd vocal battle.

In other words, they pair off perfectly.

Sisters are doing it for themselves. Rebecca and Megan.

We're treated to a performance of what will be their new single here in the UK, Sucker Puncher, and it's a triumph. If this single doesn't go on to capture the hearts of the Brits it will be a travesty. It offers up Americana true to their roots with a rocked up vibe.  A lot of the songs on the night ended with pacey jams largely due to the restricted sets they have been playing with Elvis Costello, so tonight was chance to let loose and thank the lords they did. This is when you see musicians in their purest form, free to attack the air with their brand of noise. You could sense a lot of grunge elements to the instrumentals, as my partner said "very swamp rock".

In what was a lovely touch, the sisters came out to meet all the fans and even had their album on sale despite not coming out in the UK for several months. I desperately wanted to get my hands on one but I had battled through my anxiety and panic attacks to reach the end of the gig, it was time for my great escape. So I implore you to be like me, get the piggy bank out and preorder what's going to be a powerhouse of an album.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats @ Rock City

Band....Check

Bourbon....Check

Beard....Check

The stage is set for Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

Nottingham's ever atmospheric Rock City is the venue and believe me when I tell you, the place is heaving. So much so that when a young, bright eyed couple have a full blown argument behind me, a group of us get covered in fruity cider when one of the little lovers has enough and launches her pint in a fit of passion. Beats the smell of sweat I guess. 

The night was kicked off by the raw and ready sounds of Reverend Deadeye. Admittedly, I've never heard of them but the moment they walked on stage and started to get dressed in shirt and tie, yes, they got dressed on stage, I was intrigued. Imagine the Eagles of Death Metal on a rickety, beaten up guitar and a drummer who only hits hard and you've got Reverend Deadeye. They look like the type of band with a cult following, exactly what Nathaniel Rateliff had but never will have again. 

This set the tone for the 7 piece main attraction to bound on to the stage like eager kids at the top of a slide and launch in to 'I need never get old'. There's so much energy on the stage that it's impossible for the crowd to stay still, erupting like the cider from aforementioned scorned ladies pint. Each member is having a ball. The Saxophonist and Trumpet player seem to be in competition for who can keep moving the longest. Arms flailing, legs a kicking they own the stage and draw the eye from Nathaniel Rateliff who fights back with his howling, soulful voice. It's powerful and alluring. The kind that makes you wish you could sing and leaves you eternally jealous.

There's little talking between songs, other than to raise a glass and celebrate everyone in the room. They are all genuinely humble and happy to be here, "you're so much better than Leeds last night". We know they all say that, we've come to expect it but it gets a rasping cheer from the crowd.

They slink and slide through songs from the album that has broken so much ground in the UK and each song is greeted like a new friend, starting with a hand shake and ending with a full blown hug. Songs like 'Shake', usually so mellow are kicked up a gear and this gives the The Night Sweats the chance to show off their talents, with elements of rock and blues creeping in to their folky,  tone. 

The night ends with the song that the UK has really taken to, S.O.B. It's catchy hook and chorus grabs the baying crowd by the vocal chords and they scream the words right back. When they finish, there's no cheering or clapping. Oh no. Instead, they stand choked up by the song being sang right back at them and indeed, sang until they return to treat us to another round and another drink. 

The band sure earned their sweat and earned new fans. These guys are the real deal and bring a much welcomed sense of enjoyment to their performance which resinates with everyone in attendance. It certainly felt like an 'I was there' moment. 

Go out. Buy the record. See the show. You won't regret it.

////

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are:

Nathaniel Rateliff

Joseph Pope III

Wesley Watkins

Patrick Meese

Luke Mossman

Mark Shusterman

Andy Wild 

////

HepkattFM 

If you've lost your faith in love and music, the end won't be long.

2016 is shaping up to be a good year for music.

I know, I know. 

So many people have said this it's cliche but I'm excited. 

First up, we can look forward to a new Royal Blood album. That fabled second album that can propel you to the next level or leave you in the bargain bucket. The rowdy duo were lauded for bringing dirty rock and roll back and I'm not ashamed to admit that I got giddy at the sound they created. I caught them support the Arctic Monkeys at Finsbury Park when I had never heard of them and I'm constantly kicking myself that I spend half the set in the queue for the bar. Nevertheless they were on fire. 

Beyond that I have several gigs booked over the next few months that I can't wait to tuck in to. Later this month, I'm going to get my first live experience of Nathaniel Rateliff and the NightSweats. Their brand of messy upbeat music is something that caught my attention when I first heard S.O.B whilst surfing around on Youtube. I'm seen some footage of them performing and I get the feeling this will be a great show at Rock City, Nottingham. 

This is where it get's interesting. I've been fortunate enough to get hold of tickets for the Milburn reunion.

Now. 

These may not be a huge household name. However, I grew up in Chesterfield and spent lots of my youth at gigs in Sheffield and these guys were everywhere. These were the band that the Arctic Monkeys were seeing when setting out and you can hear so many similarities in the first album from Turner and Co to that sound that Milburn were championing. I once watched Arsenal vs Tottenham with the drummer and bassist in the Forum in Sheffield. Lovely bunch of chaps. But that's for another time. 

They are playing two dates at Sheffield City hall and the atmosphere will be one of nostalgia and mindless teenage recklessness. 

In May, I head to the city hall to see the Last Shadow Puppets. I'm very excited for the rebirth of this act as the new single seems a far throw from what the first album was. I caught them at Leeds festival first time round and was blown away by the chemistry Turner and Kane had as they quipped their way through a 30 minute set. This was prior to the first album and so felt thrown together but that kinda added to the spectacle. 

And finally, PostModern Jukebox return to the UK. It's no secret. I love these guys. They play pop music from the back of a Tardis. Best sellers of today played in the style of best sellers from yesterday. The musicians and singers that get together to offer us this are beyond talented and I'm crazy excited to travel back in time once more. 

Hopefully, there will be plenty more gigs to come and I'm always looking to catch local bands. This is why 2016 promises to be a  great year for me in music. 

Let me know who you're seeing this year and who you think will own 2016. 

Till next time.

////

HepkattFM 

Nineteen Forty-Seven Until Two Thousand And Sixteen

Another planet holds you now.

I bet you've already changed the way they dress, the way they feel and the way they view the world. 

On behalf of a generation, we weren't worthy but we're grateful. 

This is for you.

////

Pull the blinds down on your eyes 

Block out what you see

When you see the light

You'll see you were standing next to me

Staring at your reflection

In a revolving door

You changed our view on reality 

And showed us what to look for

Fantasy or illusion?

The results of a drugged up dream

You were the proof

That life is not what it seems 

A thunder storm of emotion 

Always thinking, never sure 

The lyrical ramblings of a mad man

Preaching philosophy found on the floor 

Pull the blinds down on your eyes 

Block out what you see

You never found the light 

But thank you, David Bowie

"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring" DB 

////

HepkattFM