with Rum Weather, Andrea Kenny, Sally Hossack, Ant Hill, Strange Blues
Reviewed by Trevor Locke and Kevin Gaughan
A new music venue has opened in Leicester – something we have not seen for a very long time. Ole Moses Cabin (OMC) is located at 17 Frog Island, otherwise known as the A50.
Some might remember it when it was called The Forester’s Arms. Easy to get to, bus stops are right outside the venue.
Tonight’s gig started with Rum Weather which provided an enjoyable set of sounds including soul and funk. The band played a cover of Monkey Man by Toots and the Maytals – a Jamaican group known for ska and rocksteady vocals that formed in the 1960s.
Andrea Kenney’s solo slot was marvellous. One of Leicester’s outstanding singers, Andrea reminded us that she once was in The Brandy Thieves. I remembered several songs she performed tonight. One of those was her song about Ahab and the Whale. Other songs on her set list included Passage of Time, Undone, Weak, and I’m your head.
Here is a singer who has not lost her magic after many years of gracing our local stages. Andrea projected a strong presence into the room.
Sally Hossack took to the stage with two other musicians to bless us with a set of very enjoyable songs. Calling themselves ‘Sally Hossack and The Dream Band’, the trio gave us beautiful music. Atmospheric songs backed by sumptuous sounds.
Kevin Gaughan adds:
Next up were Ant Hill – all of a sudden, The Ole’ Moses Cabin filled with young, enthusiastic music lovers who were clearly there for Ant Hill – and I could see why – upping the tempo and the stage smoke to 11 – the young crowd donned their dancing shoes and let rip.
An energetic & entertaining set which was great fun and enjoyed by all – I hadn’t seen Ant Hill before – I look forward to seeing them again.
Following on from Ant Hill and bringing their home-grown bluesiness into the mix were Strange Blues.
Providing a more chilled out set than the fun & frolics of the previous band, Strange Blues bought their classic original and blues covers tunes to the evening’s procedings which provided a decent contrast to the line-up.
Kafonics and Cool Rekz played later but unfortunately, we couldn’t review them, but we did have a great time at a well-attended event at the new venue in town.
The OMC was pretty well equipped, too, with a proper raised stage and fairly decent lighting & sound, although there were teething problems with the equipment early on.
It was great to see a good turn out of all sorts of people across the Leicester music scene – other musicians & bloggers, too.
I look forward to my next venture out to OMC – you can see what gigs are going on there by looking at our gig guide in Music in Leicester.
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