Running bi-annually, the tour is all about showcasing the best up and coming UK musicians who have been hotly tipped for success. While tonight's performers are semi-established, this gives all involved an opportunity to further promote themselves to music fans nationwide. With a rotating line-up, each have a chance to perform as the headline act as the tour progresses, sharing in the glory. Tonight there's more to share than usual, with one Adam Ant performing in the adjacent room leaving our newcomers battling for punters, although a small audience remain attentive throughout the show.
First to appear this evening is Charlotte OC, a Blackburn-born solo artist who was tipped by the Beeb back in 2014 as a 'next big thing' and busy ever since with various festivals and recording duties. She presents herself fantastically in terms of dress and performance, sultry in appearance and sound alike. For the most her songs are dripping in darkness, although at times a faster beat gives off a more optimistic vibe, 'Hangover' managing to fuse the two ends of the spectrum very well. Unquestionably, her voice is beautiful and with a good range, allowing her some flexibility in terms of song style should she choose to use it.
Freddie Dickson follows, another solo artist, although tonight he plays as part of a three-piece with two musicians providing accompanying guitar and keyboard. Together, they make rather slow, haunting style of music, thanks in particular to the backing vocals which include two-pitched harmonies. A rather simple and yet prominent keyboard, alongside the guitar and vocals, help to provide a sound akin to London Grammar. A handful of songs tonight include new single 'Speculate', where Dickson chooses to use two microphones to differentiate between his being 'close by' and the other helping to create a more distant, reverbing sound. After a strong performance, Dickson performs his closing song by himself which sees him playing the guitar whilst once again show casing what is a very competent voice. All up, a simple and yet great sound.
Frances, our third act this evening, is something of an ambient piano pop purveyor. Her recordings typically team echoey vocals with beat-less swirling bleeps, progressing into a slow beat before working up to a faster skippy one and back again - producing relaxing music with a dance edge to it. Tonight, she sits behind her keyboard alone, minus any backing, and delivers an easy-listening set which is inoffensive to any ear. Similar to those performing before her this evening, there is a haunting feeling attached to her songs, her high pitch vocals and lyrical content producing an eerie vibe. With only keys and her voice to work with, Frances does lack a little in terms of a stage presence, although she still appears to be well received by the small crowd.
And finally, Tenterhook, who is the last New Face of this evening's performance. Known otherwise as Archie Faulks, Londoner Tenterhook makes Folk music with an Indy slant to it, melodic and woeful. 'Stereo', released last year and something of a psychedelic number featuring heavy guitars, makes for a good tune with its minimalist lyrics and random rhythm. His solo set this evening is much less heavy and, as such, gives him the opportunity to show off what is a very fine vocal capability and some beautiful guitar melodies. He and fellow musician Stephanie Hirst, who joins Faulks on stage for 'London Heart', perform together in perfect unison, both providing fantastically unique and yet perfectly suited harmonies. Perhaps the best received artist of the evening, judging by the reaction of our audience, Tenterhook will undoubtedly continue his success within a genre increasingly growing in popularity.
In short, tonight was all about new faces and voices and the tour pretty much does what it says on the tin. Next year would perhaps see an improvement to the crowd numbers by selecting a different venue, the Brudenell Social Club's main room now being something of a mecca for bigger names within the industry and its back room proving no real competition.
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.