Wednesday March 25th 09 The New Beautiful South At Nottingham Rescue Rooms By Julia Grant Live Pictures By Dave Cowan

I wasn't planning on going to see The New Beautiful South. From the moment I heard about the band reforming without guitarist/co-songwriter Dave Rotheray, bassist Sean Welch and most importantly, without lead singer/songwriter/band leader Paul Heaton, I thought that it was an awful idea. As much as I liked the remaining band members, I just didn't ever think they'd be able to pull it off. I have to say, I was thinking tribute band, albeit a rather special version of one. Despite all this, I ended up being talked into going along to see them at the fantastic little venue that is The Rescue Rooms in Nottingham.

It was all just a good excuse to catch up with friends on a decision made no more than two days prior to the gig.

The band arrived onstage to a traditionally obscure track. The sight of six familiar faces and three smiling new ones was already making me think that perhaps I was going to be proved wrong. Before the band had even reached the end of opening track, How Long's A Tear Take To Dry? they'd somehow managed to completely win me over. From that point, I was ready to admit defeat and to take back any bad words I'd said about the new band.

Whether it was just a well thought out choice of songs or Dave Hemingway's ability to cover Paul's parts so well, I don't know, but it certainly didn't feel like there was anyone missing vocally. The only couple of occasions that I noticed any obvious gaps left by Heaton's absence were the lack of bizarre dance moves during the instrumental part of Perfect 10 along with there being no harmonica solo in Don't Marry Her.

Heaton was always very obviously the front man of the band, so I had been slightly dubious about Dave or Alison's abilities to take over his role as leader on stage. Up until now, Hemingway had always seemed to be hiding in Paul's shadow, avoiding any eye contact with the audience, so it was wonderful to finally see him coming out of his shell. Not only did he look confident, but he also sounded it. I'd never heard him sing so faultlessly and with such strength in his voice.

Not that anyone would ever have had a bad word to say about Alison's voice, but when she took on original female vocalist, Briana Corrigan's 1992 single, Bell-Bottomed Tear, she well and truly nailed it. It was as if it had been written especially for her. With this in mind, it makes me wonder how many older and seldom heard South songs Alison can give a new lease of life to. So with such a huge back catalogue I was slightly unhappy that they chose to include three covers in the set. Also included were two songs that appeared on Hemingway's solo album, both of which were met with enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.

Previous unofficial South members and brass boys, Gaz Birtles and Tony Robinson helped keep the magic alive, especially when it came to the dancing round the stage during encore favourite, Woman In The Wall. The audience cheered for a second encore and, although they didn't get it, it looked to me as though everyone left happy and suitably impressed.

It's hard to predict how they'll cope with the challenge of writing new material without the famous Heaton/Rotheray song writing partnership, but The New Beautiful South have surprised me once, so I'm going to hold back my judgement on this one.

I would be surprised if the band succeeds in winning over any new fans, but they went out playing stadiums, so should the absence of Heaton really have so much of an effect that it takes them down to playing 400 capacity venues? Probably not, but, in my opinion at least, it's always so much more enjoyable seeing a band in a smaller, more intimate venue, so I'm certainly not complaining. So, if you liked them before, then you'll like them again, as this goes to show that even the most cynical fan can be proved wrong.

www.newbeautifulsouth.co.uk www.myspace.com/newbeautifulsouth

Photographs Copyright © 2009  Dave Cowan

Music Reviews - Saturday 21st March 09 - Jody McKenna And Friends At Adelphi Club By Michelle Dee
	Jody has just headlined a fine musical programme watched by a spirited crowd numbering fifty or so. Tonight was to be reggae artist, Finley Quaye's second gig at the Adelphi club but he has cancelled last minute and left Jody somewhat in the lurch. However, his friends and supporters rallied to put together a varied programme, featuring some of the artists that I'm sure will benefit Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 26th March 09 - Daisy Riots And GST Cardinals At Kick Out The Jams Nags Head Hull By Michelle Dee
	I hear you went to Kick Out the Jams at the Nags Head on Newland Avenue how was it? It was good; loads of people there. Saw Marv and Rachel, Alfie, Carlos and Uncle Dave, Flo, Maddy, Laura and Brum too ... Brum bought me an NBA, he is a good egg. So who was playing, were they any good? It was GST Cardinals with a bunch of new songs and a new band member called Ryan. Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 7th March 09 - The Kings Of Lyon At The New Tower Nightclub, Hull By Michelle Dee
	After the success of The Beards (2nd HDM Talent Trail 07) and multiple successes with The Riffs (Global Icon TV Winners!, Channel 4's 4unsigned, Radio 1's One Music, Tune Tribe, UK Undiscovered Radio and Live and Unsigned UK) Newly formed Kings Of Lyon KOL tribute band were ready to rock the Saturday night Hull crowd. Described as..."the most astounding, vibrant tribute to the Kings Of Leon, playing the best music Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 24th February Silent Revolution Magazine Presents New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack Plus Special Guest Joolz Denby With Support from 5-7-5 At Adelphi Club By Michelle Dee
	Tonight's event by dissident fanzine Silent Revolution run by local artist and performer Karl Whiting is another example of a artistic venture that remains unsupported, unfunded and ignored by the established creative sector in the city. Adelphi Club on De Grey Street provides the perfect setting to host this auspicious convergence of spoken word and live music, seeing that the club and Proprietor Paul Jackson Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 6th December 08 - Love Music Hate Racism at Hull City Hall By Michelle Dee
	Saturday was going to be a busy day. I had offered my services to Arts Development Worker Stewart Baxter the driving force and helmsman behind the Hull LMHR event at the City Hall. Through hard work he had gathered support from many different groups including the local City Council to stage the LMHR event in the town centre. Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 28th November 08 - Flossie Malavialle and Dave Dave & Zoe Bottomley at Moonbeams, The Bell Hotel, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	For the final Moonbeams of 2008, Leila Slater - the organizer and promoter of the Acoustic nights - had pulled out all the stops to ensure it was an unforgettable night of superb music. First up, a local lad called Jeremy wowed the crowd with two delicately finger-picked numbers which were both rapturously received. Having previously performed at this summer's Kelk-Fest Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 29th November 08 - Scouting for Girls at Bridlington Spa By Caitlin Middleton
	There's a cinematic countdown and blinding strobe lights as Roy and co. take to the stage assuming god-like status to the sea of screaming teenyboppers. After two long hours, a somewhat confused Sam Beeton and relatively generic The Days and Scouting for Girls are finally on stage warbling on about being James Bond. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 25th November 08 - DVA Studios Showcase featuring Timmy D, Frank Johnson, Alex Stork, Jamie Gray, Telenovela, Great Northern Hotel, Day In The City At Sharkeys George Street By Michelle Dee
	Last night Dave Abbot of DVA Studios held his second showcase of artists he has been working with supporting and recording in his home studio. Dave set up DVA in order to support new musicians give them access to a studio do early demo recordings in order to give them something solid to market themselves with. Look out for a DVA Sampler CD from DVA Studios featuring some of the musicians from tonight's showcase event. Read more...

Music Reviews - Sunday 16th November 08 - Guillemots at The Plug, Sheffield By James Marsters
	The venue was small, the crowd was quiet and the songs were surprisingly new but that didn't stop The Guillemots from rocking out Plug in Sheffield on a freezing cold Sunday night. Opening with a new song may seem like a daring thing to do to a rather sedate crowd but it definitely set the tone for the rest of the night. Playing many fresh tracks interspersed amongst several from their first album, Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 11th November 2008 ... HYRMC01 at The Sesh. By Michelle Dee
	The live music in the evening of HYRMC 01 came from a high spirited GST Cardinals and possibly the hardest working band in the city right now namely The Cliques. Also on the swollen bill down at the Sesh hosted by DJ Mak were singer songwriter Jody McKenna, Jesus Stole My Girlfriend and The Gang. Jody opened proceedings with some highly listenable Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 23rd October 08 - Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip With Supports Kid Carpet And Mr. Beasley By Michelle Dee Scroobius Pip Photographs by James Rogers Others by Michelle Dee
	An hour after interviewing Mr Scroobius Pip (coming soon on thisisUll.com) I was ready for the live stuff, Mr. Beasley with Bob doing some wicked things with beats and Sarah snaking and shimmering on the stage, her sonorous voice so entrancing. Some people say that the childlike quality or tone defers from the enjoyment, but I'm a fan for sure. Shame they opened the set with Right as Rain the new single released digitally Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday July 25th 08 - Thisisull Live with Alison Angus The Clauberg Opera Santa's Buggerboyz. By Michelle Dee
	In July we had a thisisull live gig but as yet no report on what happened. So here it is... Alison Angus were first up promoting new tracks from their Satis E.P. Unusually the two piece band set their kit up on the floor of the Adelphi in front of the stage, this was due to the fact the headliners had all but filled the stage with their equipment. They played their unconventional style of hard edged sculpted metal escapism, with drums, Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 7th August 08 - Glen Williams and the Ullbillies at The Square Spring Bank Hull By Michelle Dee
	The Square although still much in its infancy, has been a venue for Spoken Word, lounge style Alt Piano and other assorted DJ and Alt music nights including the upcoming Tegleg Records Night 9th October. Tonight however The Square played host to an altogether different sound, the critically acclaimed Country and Bluegrass artist Glenn Williams Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 29th August ThisisUll Live Featuring The Last People On Earth, The Bad Apples and Matt Thompson by Michelle Dee Bad Apples Photos by Dean Wilkinson, others by Michelle and Cilla
	Quite simply the best band I've ever booked. The Bad Apples, just a hard working rockabilly group from Grimsby. Tonight is to be our last thisisull live show. After sixteen gigs down the Adelphi with different bands every month we are calling it a day with the live nights. Thanks to everyone who has played for us, who has paid their three quid at the door, who has mentioned our nights on a website or forum. Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 4th September 08 - So So Modern, Santa's Buggerboyz and Mountain Goat Frenzy at The Adelphi By Michelle Dee
	It's Thursday. It's Adelphi and the return of New Zealanders So So Modern. To start with, Mountain Goat Frenzy are tasked with getting the night off to a good start. The prop driven four piece are made up of Joseph 'Danger' Avery on synth, keys and percussion, Richie 'Rich' Bettridge vocals and keys, Math 'Mattics' Molson, guitar, vocals and A!A!A!ex Gower on drums and cowbell. Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 24th July 08 ... Edwina Hayes at The London Bar, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	The third night of its kind to feature live music in The London Bar (local lads Chaser along with Blues prodigy Oli Brown have both played there on previous occasions), Driffield's very own Edwina Hayes performed two hour-long sets on what was a truly unique evening. While the staff served exquisite four-course meals Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 25th July 08 - Chris Helme and Andy Gaines at Helmsley Arts Centre By Steve Rudd
	York singer-songwriter Andy Gaines is something of a revelation. Confidently swaggering onto the stage in skintight jeans with a killer grin slapped upon his face, his batch of acoustic gems sounded sublime in what is a truly beautiful venue. Formerly a member of acclaimed York outfit Cardboard Radio, Andy also plays in a band called The Runaway Sons when he isn't playing solo acoustic sets. Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 20th August 08 - Tegleg Records Sponic Mesh Two CD Launch By Michelle Dee
	The flyer described tonight as electro/ acid/ dubstep/ legnbass/ mashup/ techno/ breakcore/ dogstep/ glitchtronica/ mentalism and spasmodic stimulation. Not having a clue what to expect I wandered down. Diving straight in the sounds are reeling around the ceiling, a barrage balloon shake down with a hard and fast tempo. Wired and weird images Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 19th July 08 - Party in the Park at North End Park, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	Fast-rising sextet Divine Sinn have already managed to amass a loyal fanbase in the past six months since their debut gig at The Winston Churchill. They are now on the verge of releasing their second highly-anticipated album, The Seven Deadly Sinns, proving just how determined they are as an outfit to make a name for themselves. Kicking up a storm in the wake of Parkmoor Read more...

Music Reviews - The Who 'Live at Hull'- Monday 16th February 1970 By Malcolm Holt
	I know that it has taken a long time to write a gig review from over 38 years ago, but rest assured that the memories are just as vivid now as they were back then. I was a young 17 year old and I spent 15s (that's 75p in real money) to see The Who perform Tommy live at Hull City Hall on 15 February 1970. The Who had released the double album in May 1969. Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 12th July 08 - Moonbeams Summer Gathering at Little Kelk By Steve Rudd
	Who would have thought that a star-studded music festival in a tiny Wolds village could rival the exhilarating splendour of festivals of Glastonbury's ilk? Very few, I'm sure. But then how many people would really believe that an annual music festival of any sort has taken place in Little Kelk for the past four years? Even fewer, I'm positive. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 15th July 08 - Chris Helme at Hull Lamp By Steve Rudd
	Alighting in Hull as part of a glorious string of intimate UK tour dates in support of his recently released solo offering Ashes, York troubadour Chris Helme had the sizeable Hull crowd in fits of ecstasy due to the strength of his voice and the intensity of the emotions conveyed both through his music and lyrics. Only a few days previously he had wowed the gathered masses at a private mini-festival Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 26th June 08 - Divine Sinn at Winston Churchills, Driffield By Steve Rudd Photographs by Matt Rudd
	Back playing in their hometown just a few days after their first gig in Leeds, Divine Sinn managed to attract the Metal-loving masses in their droves, despite the biblical deluge pounding the streets outside. Mixing and matching material from both their debut album, Redemption, and their forthcoming follow-up, The Seven Deadly Sinns, they energetically roared through Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 20th June 08 - Oli Brown Band at The London Bar, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	Whoever came up with the idea of putting a band on at The London Bar deserves a pat on the back. It was certainly inspired. Moreover, whoever decided to allow Oli Brown and his band to play deserves to be bought free drinks for an entire evening. Indeed, Oli Brown & Band put on an incredible show in what has to be Driffield's narrowest pub. Read more...