Blackbud

Twenty One dates in a Thirty One day month, that’s a lot of gigs by anyone’s standards but this was only their second time playing in Derby so I was hoping they would receive a warm welcome. A beautiful summer’s day casting its rays down on Derby’s legendary Vic Inn and there are but a few lonely souls floating around the bar area waiting to listen to the guys from Bradford-on-Avon.

After a swift turnaround Joe, Adam and Sam waltzed onto the platform type stage in what can only be described as a garage with camouflage netting draped across the ceiling. Everyone in attendance seemed to be there because they knew Blackbud and what a great treat it was to be able see them in their hometown. Derby has a very diverse music scene but the people are very hard to please; at least that’s what I’ve been told by other local bands.

They have said that they draw their inspiration from legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin and Radiohead but their performance at the Vic was as unique as any that I’ve seen. Opening the set with ‘Heartbeat’ and followed by ‘158’ really set the tempo for the rest of the night although a little slower than expected. The Hendrix connection was clear to see as Taylor rattled off a stunning solo during ‘Sitting by the River’ which appears to be a real favourite when it comes to showing off their improvisation skills.


By this time it was clear that the audience was not going to grow to more than the twenty or so that were there already and it took Adam to ask the crowd to move forward before they gingerly stepped up to the barrier. ‘Market Streets’ is a brand new song to be included on the forthcoming album ‘From the Sky’ plus many more that have not previously been seen on their two EPs, ‘Livewire’ and ‘Heartbeat’. It went down a treat and everyone was finally loosening up.

They say time flies when you’re having fun; I don’t know who thought it up but they are so right! ‘Barefoot Dancing’ was the finishing post for tonight and it went down a storm, the intense guitar riff overlaid with Taylor’s gentle and emotion filled vocals sent tingles into every nook and cranny. These guys never fail to make you smile when you are graced with their presence, the debut album is set for release sometime during June as it was set back slightly due to the ‘world cup season’ as Adam described afterwards. If tonight was a measure of the rest of the tour, Britain had better brace itself.

FUTURE GIGS

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