Saturday 2nd August 2014

Music First Promotions

celebrated its third birthday tonight with all-day line up of bands at The Shed.

We were there in the evening and we saw –

Trip Hazard

This Liverpool band played at the shed on 9th May this year, and we wrote ‘Trip Hazard, from Liverpool, was a hit, with their female lead vocalist Stef Stokes; they gave an excellent performance. An impressive set of songs and an enjoyable sound. ‘ Music in Leicester.

Tonight the trio with their free-standing lead vocalist played a set that was delightfully varied and Stef Stokes also played bass in some of the songs. Trip Hazard’s set was ear-grabbing and their rhythms were vibrant, having considerable impact and power. A very good performance and a highly entertaining set of songs.

Jonezy

Leicester music artist Jonezy came to the stage. I have to say, I cannot be objective about Jonezy – after all, I am his manager. Even though I have a vested interest, I know that what he does is without parallel on our local music scene. Jonezy delivers a highly polished act, a stage performance that always draws in the audience and his songs are nearly always a hit with most audiences.

One of the most productive artists of his kind in our local area, Jonezy has won a following from a wide cross-section of music fans, many of whom do not normally follow hip-hop artists. Wherever he goes he wins new fans and that is due to his infectious songs and to his amazingly good stage presence. He is constantly bringing out new songs and fans often call out for some of his old numbers that they know and love. Over the past couple of years Jonezy’s music career has taken off, seeing him perform in both the UK and Europe with some big name acts, including The Vamps and Los Angeles band OPM (Heaven is a Half-pipe.)

Jonezy is appearing with singer Alexandru from Norway on Friday 12th September at The Shed.

The Bench That Rocked

The Bench That Rocked is a phenomenally busy band. They are incredibly good at what they do and play some of the best rock songs in the repertoire, laced with impressive guitar work and the large voice of their lead singer Billy Chamberlain. They are a band that knows how to rock out, big time.

Ronin

A band from Worcester paid a return visit tonight. Ronin first came to our notice when they were on the line-up at Resin’s Christmas show and album launch at the Firebug (19th December 2012.) Arts in Leicester magazine wrote:
The lead singer of Ronin appeared on stage dressed all in white with a full length coat making his mark as an artist with a good deal of eye-catching presence.

‘The songs had plenty of energy, laced with crashing highlights from the cymbals and driven by pounding beats. With the room filling up nicely, the show was well under way and the audience warmed to the band from Worcester, giving them an enthusiastic acclaim at the end of each song. Sparkling guitar work and compelling rhythms went down well, the lead singer’s (Kit Kinrade) strong voice giving it all plenty of appeal.’

Shortly after that gig, Ronin were at The Shed on 26th January 2013. Ronin supported Resin at the Firebug on 21st December 2013, and we wrote:

‘Worcester band Ronin had come all the way across the Midlands to play tonight and play they did! It was a superb set, building up their reputation in Leicester following last year’s appearance at the Firebug gig organised by Resin. One incredibly good band, Ronin tore up the stage with a selection of top notch songs, their FB statement is easy to endorse: ‘Visionary, Energetic and Passionate: Ronin are carving a niche with their unique sound, with foundations firmly planted in rock and elements of alternative, blues, and pop; Ronin are both storytellers and soothsayers.
This four-piece band has a free standing lead vocalist backed by singing from the bassist and guitarist. A superb band with a great set of songs and very time they have played in Leicester they have been a hit with the audiences. This is one out-of-town band that is always good to see and on stage they all put in a masterful performance, producing well-crafted music and ear-lickingly good vocal lines. Each member of the band has his own individual skills and character and when they are in full flood they have sounds that wash over you with considerable impact. They carried the audience in their grip and all their songs were exhilarating.’ Music in Leicester.

Chasing Dragons

The headline and finale of the night came from Chasing Dragons, a four-piece band from Leeds with a free standing female vocalist (Tank) whose performance was impressively good and full of character. Their revved-up set was super-charged and lifted the roof with music that sparkled with passion and energy. It was a fabulous set that enthralled the audience.

Other bands that played at the event on Saturday included: Homeless Shakespeare (Self produced musician, composer and singer/songwriter with huge faith in local music), Stu Crown (lead singer from The Bobcats), and Goldstein (who made it to the final of the ‘I Wanna Be A Rockstar’ Battle of the Bands competition this year).

Sunday 3rd August, Loughborough

Many of the bands that played at The Shed on Saturday, went on to Loughborough the following day to perform at the Brush 125-year Jubilee Celebration event.

Held at the site of the Brush factory, two music stages played through the hot August afternoon. Well over a thousand people came to this corporate event, which, we are told, happens only once in five years. People were spread out around the very large site but large numbers of them stopped to listen to the music playing on the two stages, which were sited far apart. Rides, guided tours of various parts of the factory, play areas, ice cream vans, a steam-driven traction engine and food outlets gave the area a festival cum funfair atmosphere.

Jonezy's set at the Brush Jubilee event Photo: Mat Borland — Jonezy’s set at the Brush Jubilee event
Photo: Mat Borland

Performing in his home town, Jonezy was the opening act on The Jubilee Stage, which he also compered throughout the day. Those enjoying ice creams on the grass in the hot summer sunshine, listened hip-hop artist perform some of his current songs, Mental, Story Time, Monster, Forever and Ever, Victory, Live Life, Journey Together, Alive and Letter to Dad. For the hundreds of people who had gathered around the Jubilee Stage, this would have been the first time they would have seen Jonezy and the other bands and artists who performed on it, throughout the day.

The Benched That Rocked played on the bands stage