So far the NHC should be four instore acoustic shows into
2015, but there seems to be a curse on the Sundays.
Last week Genesee had to
pull out due to ill health and this week it was the turn of AWOL with an
injury, but never fear as both shows, and a set from Arno Blok, will all be
sorted out for the future.
Meanwhile what can be said about the Saturday nights though?
Well we kicked off with GR Harrow last week (review here)
and he seriously blew us all away, and then just as we thought we could catch a
breathe Christie Connor-Vernal and Roadway snatched it from us with a couple of
performances that hit every button and ticked every box.
As a coupling they are a rock aficionados wet dream, and I
wouldn’t hesitate in going on the record to say that both could give any
established act - that people pay silly money to see - a run for their money.
In fact it’s actually difficult to convey how good this show
was.
I’m no spring chicken and I have been going to see bands for
decades all over the country and sets such as they played are up there with the
best that I have witnessed.
In some ways the environment does lend itself to the
performances being that bit special though.
As one audience member said about the shop that ‘it’s like
an underground speakeasy’ and another claimed that ‘if CBGBs was a record shop
then this would be it minus the dog shit on the floor.’
We can live with praise like that, and it’s better than
having to claim it myself.
Anyway in the case of Roadway they are not known for playing
acoustically, but within the NHC, and in front of a supportive audience, they were
free to give the material a run through and see how it feels resulting in what
was a stunning set from them.
It’s most definitely another string to their bow and
hopefully they are considering exploring acoustic angles on more material as
their recorded output that is full on electric certainly deserves to be heard
stripped down.
It simply adds a whole new dimension to their sound, and
it’s one that most fans – if not all – would welcome with open arms.
If for some reason anyone reading doesn’t know who Roadway
are then you really should rectify that straight away.
Especially if you long to hear Classic Rock played with
passion and attitude as these guys have both in spades.
There’s no downside to what they do and well written
material performed well never goes out of fashion.
Next time they are in Glasgow
I’ll be looking to attend and hopefully in the future they will return to us as
the door will always be open for them.
And Christie?
Well if you needed a one word review it would just say
‘wow’.
The progression in literally everything since the first time
I was told to check her out is partially mind-blowing.
As a songwriter and as a performer everything just keeps
getting better and better.
Last time the full band experience had me asking why she
wasn’t already in the public eye and gracing larger stages, but equally her
solo acoustic shows are similarly of that level.
Surely the next step on the ladder is in reach.
The new songs, and the maturity in approaching the subject
matter therein, would seem to indicate that the tipping balance from struggling
artist to successful artist has been reached.
Well fingers crossed etc.
A last minute addition to the performance was the inclusion
of a duet with Dougie McSween of Scarlets, a band that Christie is currently
collaborating with, and this was once again that little magic moment thing that
the shop lends itself to.
We were striving to create an atmosphere that anything could
happen in and with this song we got that.
It was only a week ago that they started working together
and as far as I am aware there has only been one singular working session
between them and already the results are far beyond what could have been
expected.
All I can really do is jump back and say again that it’s difficult
to convey how good this show was.
Everyone should take a bow, the artists and those who turned
up for this and made it such an incredible evening.
You’re all heroes.
Event pages for the next live in-stores.
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