Park and Ride, Blue Sand and David Devant and his Spirit Wife, continued SweetNSour 7th Oct The Welly By Michelle Dee

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Photograph Gallery   Park and Ride Gallery 1   Gallery 2   Blue Sand Gallery 1   Gallery 2   David Devant Gallery 1   Gallery 2   Gallery 3

Blue Sand were next to try their collective hand at stirring this crowd into something of a frenzy. Wearing their trademark black apparel they launched into their first song then Gaz, lead-singer broke his top string. With professionalism and ease they rode this minor set back and moved swiftly on to their next song Changed Names and Slaves; Title track of their E.P. which is available at H.M.V. So Blue Sand on the big stage how was it?

They took full advantage of the state of the art sound system and both vocalists came over loud and clear at a well balanced level: probably due to Steff's (Landaus) excellent sound set up. The new track Love to Hate you showed this off to great effect with Alan taking lead vocal and Gaz providing backing. The crowd's imagination was finally captured by the well defined guitar skills of both the lead and rhythm players.

Yet another new song, It's ruining everything, Blue Sand delivered another gutsy song which is sure to become an anthem in the same way as Bleed Myself. This track creates such a feeling of euphoria unmatched so far by any other song. Chlorine Eyes came next and this track just improves with every airing. All four members of the Sand look very comfortable on a big stage and have no problem with commanding the space.

Gaz tried to encourage the crowd to come a little closer; some did but most didn't appear to be able to get through passport control. When they finally played Bleed Myself it sounded both roaring and beautiful it says in my notes pending orgasm but you should know by now I always get excited by Blue Sand. A mere smattering of applause trickled out from the audience; either they were deaf or they just don't appreciate home grown talent.

You cannot fail to be moved by the rich velvety sounds unless you're dead. They should have played a longer set, however they finished with the heart-wrenching End of the World for their finale.

David Devant and his Spirit Wife were the headline act tonight though I can't think for the life of me why. David Devant with his Babylon5 haircut (could have been a wig?) and strange khaki 70s knock offs was vaguely amusing to watch. His guitarist looked like a sixteen year old's dad trying to be cool; but he didn't. Neither did his glam rock frilly blouse.

The music was like a bastard hybrid between brit pop and rock. David had the eye rolling of Damon Albarn with the hip thrusting of Jarvis but with none of the irony and self deprecation. His gold lame top looked like it came from the reject bin at Oxfam; I know I used to work there.

Behind the musicians was a hastily put up backdrop onto which were projected a series of images and words that bore no relationship with the music. Geographical features mixed with scribbling presumably done by David himself. At this point I feel I must admit I know nothing about this act and have probably missed the point. If this was some kind of parody or caricature of seventies glam I suppose it ticked all the right boxes; if however it was supposed to be a serious rock act then it failed. At no point did I understand or care about Devant or his wife spirit or not.

The audience as I have already mentioned were vaguely interested but apart from a few brave souls remained unmoved. A song called Dangerous Dilettante featuring the customary frantic guitars and occasional keyboard styling from David actually started to make me feel physically sick. This sudden feeling of nausea can not be put down to excessive alcohol consumption; I was only on my second pint and anyway the feeling left me the minute I was out of earshot of the torturous noise.

The only redeeming feature of this act was the Bass player; he played strong dependable bass lines and nodded his head like one of those dogs you see in car windows, amusing to watch when you'd grown bored of wondering whether should be wearing a bra; nipples like bullets and it wasn't even cold. Later David has the answers was emblazoned on the sheet. A few more bods; mostly Welly staff, creep forward to see if this claim is correct. With an air of importance he shouts don't forget the solo; which he then promptly stuffs up. With a pitiful apology he looks once more to the bassist for support.

I will give them the benefit of the doubt and put this amateurish act down to being a bit tired perhaps they've had a long gruelling tour who knows but the coffin lid minds of Hull were not challenged or expanded by them whatsoever. It is unfortunate but quite apt that the only thing that sticks in my mind about David Devant and his Spirit Wife were the words Adulation Rubbish. This showed up on the back drop from time to time. Whether he was adulated by anyone that night I know not however he did live up to the second part..

If anyone out there cares David et al have a new single out on the 8th November.

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