Posts tagged evolution emerging

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 1^st and all the bands involved had a great time as well. Can’t wait for next years…

Words by Ruth Edmundson