Nizlopi / Jon Gomm / The Killing Fields Of Ontario

Another band with a stupidly long name play first at The Brudenell tonight. People are still queuing to get in as The Killing Fields Of Ontario take to the stage, so many miss a chunk of their set. It seems to take in influences from Ryan Adams, a little bit of Johnny Cash and a whole mash of other American artists. With a name like theirs I thought they may have been from over the pond, but they are only from Leeds and Sheffield. The checked shirts put me on the scent of Americana...



All in all the songs aren't too bad; there’s a funny country ditty to John McCain and the upcoming (world president) election, and a variety of instruments (banjo, harmonica) thrown in too. If only the levels on the sound were ok, then the high end notes would not have hurt so many ear...

Jon Gomm is another who suffers at the stage set up tonight. Always a professional, he belts out 'Temporary, 'Waterfall' and 'Gloria' to show off his mixed guitar tapping and singing skills, but when it comes to the requested 'Hey Child' the poor sound from one of the stage amps means he can not hear the parts he records as the backing overlaps, causing some out of sync moments, though only an avid followed of the Gomm like myself seems to notice.



He does a great job with his version of Radiohead's 'High and Dry', the lazy chatterers in the crowd (many here for the main act) finally wake up to Mr Gomm's talent as they recognise the tune. This is a rare support slot for Jon, as he usually like s a quiet pub to play to so his music can be appreciated; who wouldn't. Tonight he is playing as he tells me he thinks the headliners are excellent...

Nizlopi last played Leeds at a University Summer Ball at midnight at Elland Road in front of ten people (they say). Tonight they play to a busy Brudenell Club, not bad for a school night. Always ones for crowd participation, they start the show in the crowd (with double bass as well) singing loud enough for all to hear without the daft sound system.



When on stage they show the kind of talent that you have to work hard at; Luke Concannon is like a child on a sugar rush; constantly dancing whilst providing the most soulful vocals to come out of a guy from Lemington Spa I have ever heard; every note sang with so much conviction and note perfect. As for John Parker, the only beatboxing double bass player I know of, his effort throughout the set is amazing; he even jokingly asks for a ten minute break half way through, no surprise really.

There's plenty of jokes through the set, with shouts of "Get your bum out!" amongst other things. Also Concannon tells of his travels to Africa, and the sad stories that now influence their songs heavily of starvation and the dire state of the world. The only strange part is the addition of KRS-One's 'Sound Of Da Police' to a couple of songs, but that will be the hip hop side of their sound.

The gig has a nice mix of new and old tracks involving the folk and hip hop styles that Nizlopi are known for interweaving. They also overrun, as they always do when everyone is enjoying it so much. Of course they leave the well known 'JCB' until last, but by now most of the people who come to their shows know all the words to all their songs, so no one is here for the unfair 'one hit wonder' status they previously were labelled under. In fact a lot of people here must have seen the guys a few times, as they know when to sing along and what to sing. Impressive; Nizlopi now has 100 new members! Also well done to their extra member on double bass duties when Concannon is rapping 'England Uprise' and Parker is on guitar.

Start Beginning
I'm Alive
Fine Story
Find Me
Helen
Yesterday
Answers
Last Night In Dakar
Flooded Quarry
Call It Up
Feel Inside
England Uprise

JCB
All My Life

FUTURE GIGS

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