Posts tagged bird island
Evolution Emerging – 2012
011 months ago
Evolution Emerging is an annual night of free live music that takes place across various venues in Ouseburn, Newcastle. It can be descried as the pre-party to the larger Evolution festival that takes place on the banks of the Tyne, over the bank holiday weekend in June.
This year’s Evolution Emerging took place over six venues and hosted 27 bands from 7pm till about 11pm, with an after show party taking place at The Star and Shadow cinema. This year was the first time I had attended Evolution Emerging and was unsure of how it all worked and where exactly all the venues were in relation with one another.
My original plan was to stay at The Cumberland Arms all night not realising just how close all the venues were to each other, in all honesty I was worried I would get lost. Thankfully I was able to visit four of the venues and see five bands in total. The downside however was I couldn’t get to see everyone I was hoping to but that is a problem which couldn’t be avoided with the wide range of bands on at the same time. However below i have listed my overview of those bands I was able to catch on the night…
Let's Away
The Cluny 2 – Let’s Away
The first band of the night for me was Let’s Away – a band I had been hoping to catch since hearing their EP “Let’s Away … From Here”. There were a handful of people in the room, which gave it a cosy atmosphere for it was evident, everyone there were intrigued to see the band play their first ever gig. Not bad to have your first gig a part of Evolution Emerging at all I must add.
Live their songs were given greater depth and softness as the mellow melodies and lulling guitars resonated around the room. There fuller sound was due to the addition of musicians from various bands including Richard from Chased by Wolves and Josh & Bop from Lilliput. Overall it was a great way to start the night and a gig I am glad I didn’t miss because of the uncertainty of future gigs due to the logistics goes into allowing this band to play live.
I was able to grab an interview with the band after their set – thanks to the lads for chatting to me.
Here is a free download of “Concording” from their debut EP “Let’s Away … From Here”
Lilliput on stage
The Cumberland Arms – Lilliput
Lilliput were the most upbeat band I saw live all night, by that I mean they were the most lively and interactive with the crowd. The set was a storm with the crowd that shuffled into the back of The Cumberland Arms to catch the band’s most relaxed and chatty performance – which included a few dance moves on stage.
There was plenty of banter within the band and with the audience who fully embraced the part atmosphere. Reminiscent of B>E>A>K Lilliput’s Joe handed out percussion to the crowd and soon they were dancing, singing and playing along with the band.
Lilliput played a selection of songs including a new song “Aerial” that took things down a notch. The standout track from their set was “Until” that went down a treat with the crowd.
I was able to get an interview with Josh and Jonathan from the band – thanks for chatting to me lads !
The Cumberland Arms – Collectors Club
I must admit I only caught part of Collectors Club set while just outside the pub gathering interviews and deciding where next I was going to go. Although from what I heard it was another upbeat and lively performance. They reminded me of Vampire Weekend and by far had the best hairstyles I have seen from a band. Their surfer pop was relaxing while outside seeing people chilling out in the beer garden and discussing who to see next.
Bird Island at The Tanners
The Tanners – Bird Island
After much deliberation outside the Cumberland Arms I decide to see Bird Island next at The Tanners, a light blue pub that looked inviting. Once there I was able to catch half of the bands set in the pubs large back room where they had drawn quite a crowd.
Their music on record sounds like the perfect chilled out driving sound track and this sensation was recreated while playing live, it was a great surf set.
Young Liar
The Star and Shadow – Young Liar
To end the night I ended up across the road from the Tanners in The Star And Shadow Cinema. There through an intriguing cartoon white door was Young Liar playing their set inside the Cinema.
Walking in on their set half way through I was hit by a euphoric wall of sound. The room was fixated on the stage while the band performed and lost themselves in their music – which isn’t hard to get wrapped in their raw and cinematic sound fitting for the venue. It was overall an amazing highlight to end the nigh on and my first ever Evolution Emerging experience.
Hope everyone else enjoyed their night of music on June 1st and all the bands involved had a great time as well. Can’t wait for next years…
Words by Ruth Edmundson
Bird Island – EP
01 year ago
Bird Island are a band from Newcastle far away from the coasts / surfing beaches of America or say Australia – however the EP has a romantic surf vibe that I love.With plenty of reverb and echo a haze of cool is on each track. It feels like the making of their music took no effort at all but was done with ease; with their tender vocals, melodic guitar and steady drums. Which is very reminiscent to The vaccines first album.
Overall I would describe their EP as a sunset track, perfect for driving along the coast – although only in the North East when we have our one day of summer.
Off Your Heed Pet
01 year ago
by wear6334
in Featured Events
As the name suggests, this is an event which may make you question: ” are those involved off their heads ? ” Well Off Your Head Pet is a charity event with a twist…
Kamille Davis, a fashion student from Northumbria University, is going to have her hair cut off live throughout the night of the event taking place at The Head Of Steam in Newcastle.
The night has been organised to raise money for Sam’s Trust a children’s charity who support families of children suffering from cancer and leukaemia as well as raising funds for The Little Princesses Trust, who make wigs for girls who lose their hair because of cancer and leukaemia treatments.
While Kamillle was promoting the event on Spark FM’s Local Music Show, she explained she decided to raise money for these causes just out of charity and having been inspired by their work.
“Just come along to the event and dig deep for a really good cause”
To provide the sound track for the evening, lined up to play are three major acts including: Baron Von Alias & Mistabreeze joined by Bird Island and Tissue Culture. There will also be some comedy and surprises in store throughout the evening.
The plan is for Kamille to have her hair cut off in bits throughout the night by two of her friends ( using scissors and razors ) then to auction off the chance to cut certain bits of her hair off later in the evening. In all honesty, the guts she has to do this is incredible !
Before it all goes, she intends to dye her hair a few days before either bright blue or pink so there will be no missing her on the night.
Now for when & where … It takes place on March 31, at The Head Of Steam, Doors 7:30pm Until 10:30 and ONLY £4 on the Door, which is ridiculously cheap. So no excuse not to go along for a great evening of music and support such two great causes.