Sunday 10 December 2017

Keston Cobblers Club - Leeds Brudenell Social Club, November 25th 2017 (LIVE REVIEW)


Kentish indie folk quintet Keston Cobblers Club are one of those live acts capable of bringing a smile to the face of anyone fortunate to witness their uplifting performances regardless of age. Already darlings of BBC Radio, they’ll probably still be gigging for free way into their autumn years and tonight, their one-off High & Lonesome appearance is the first time I’ve seen a band completely fill the new Brudenell Community Room; packed to the rafters and positively buzzing as Julia Lowe (Keyboards/Brass/Vocals), brother Matt (Strings/Vocals), Tom Sweet (Brass, Strings/Vocals), Harry Stasinopoulos (Drums), with Daniel on Tuba, (presumably) deputising for Bethan Ecclestone, take to the stage with the wistful summeriness of ‘Bicycles’.

Sunday 3 December 2017

Brooke Bentham- Leeds Brudenell Social Club, November 25th 2017 (LIVE REVIEW)


It seems only a matter of months since I chatted with then 21-year-old Brooke Bentham ahead of her stripped-down performance supporting John Smith at Leeds Howard Assembly rooms. Still virtually unknown outside her native South Shields and adopted home London, whilst about to graduate from Goldsmiths, the world seemingly at her feet, her unassuming demeanour belied the intensity of the live performance, just her fragile yet piercing voice and a guitar.