Jacqueline Edmont | Rockshot Magazine

Florence + The Machine Delight At Belsonic 2023

Jacqueline Edmont — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 06:41:14 +0000

Belsonic Festival, held annually in June, has year by year brought global superstars to its stage at Ormeau Park. This outdoor festival embraces the Northern Irish weather, taking place rain or shine! And with only one stage, you are guaranteed not to miss any of the action.

Florence + The Machine @ Belsonic Festival 2023

The final week of the festival boasted indie band Florence + The Machine as the headline act with CMAT as support.

Before Florence + The Machine graced the stage with a standout show, CMAT, the abbreviation for Ciara Mary Alice Thompson, an Irish singer and songwriter from Dublin, entertained the audience with a witty 45-minute set. Her set featured songs from her album If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead. The songwriter has been supporting Florence + The Machine while on their UK and Ireland Dance Fever tour through Cork, Dublin and Belfast and will be hitting the road with her own headline tour at some up and coming dates across the UK and Europe.

Florence + The Machine have been touring this summer throughout the UK and Europe. The English band has been active since 2008 and have released their recent album in 2022 titled Dance Fever.

They opened a 90-minute set with Heaven Is Here, followed by King. Their performance included tracks from their newest album, as well as iconic songs from their extensive career, such as Dog Days Are Over and Cosmic Love from the 2009 album Lungs, among others.

The crowd were adorned in flower crowns and jewels matching lead Florence Welch’s magical aesthetic. In true Belfast style there was a refreshing rain storm through the headline show, but that failed to dampen the spirits of fans.

Belsonic Festival has now come to a close for 2023 but is to return next year and we can’t wait to find out who will be headlining!

Live photography of Florence + The Machine and CMAT @ Belsonic Festival 2023 by Jacqueline Edmont.

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Dancing In The Rain With Sir Tom Jones At Belsonic Festival

Jacqueline Edmont — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:23:34 +0000

In the midst of a rainy Belfast summer, Sir Tom Jones delivers a flawless performance at Belsonic Festival to a sea of people dressed in rain ponchos. But the drizzly wet weather, couldn’t dampen the spirits of 20,000 fans who danced the evening away to some of Tom Jones’ greatest hits.

Tom Jones @ Belsonic Festival 2023

Tom Jones @ Belsonic Festival 2023 (Jacqueline Edmont)

Belsonic Festival is held annually in Ormeau Park, Belfast and has witnessed some of the most prominent names in the music industry. On this night, it was the Welsh singer Tom Jones headlining, supported by Northern Ireland’s very own Ryan McMullan.

Sir Tom begins his show with a humble entrance, warmly welcoming the crowd before taking a seat. Instantly, fans erupt on his first note. His voice is so polished, soulful and powerful. And although it may be a well-worn sentiment to mention his vocals in a review, its undeniably true that Tom Jones’ vocals are nothing short of remarkable. You will be swept away by the sheer power of his voice and the passion he pours into every song.

But behind his dynamic voice are tunes that will get you dancing. One moment he’ll be seated belting out powerful lyrics and then next, he’ll surprise you with his hit It’s not Unusual and will have a boogie with the crowd.

At the age of 83, the Welsh legends career has spanned six decades, during which he has sold over 100 million records. With such an established career, his show takes you through a musical journey of his life. With each song, he warmly addresses the audience sharing charming anecdotes and giving them a glimpse into his creative process. It’s a unique show structure to introduce most songs, but given his great career, it adds a personal touch, allowing us to witness the “behind the scenes” moments of his life and musical experiences.

It is his 1999 hit Sexbomb that raises the energy of the crowd. As one of his most famous songs, people of all ages seem to know the iconic lyrics and the entire audience cheerfully sings along. It’s clear that his music transcends generational boundaries.

Two years ago, Tom Jones became the oldest person in Great Britain to have a Number One Album, smashing the record previously held by Bob Dylan. Despite all this incredible success, Jones has a very down to earth demeanour when he performs. He exudes genuine warmth and humility effortlessly captivating the audience with his remarkable talent and charisma. It’s refreshing to witness a seasoned artist who remains grounded and focused on delivering an exceptional show. He simply wants everyone to let loose, boogie and have a good time. And true to his spirit, he’ll be dancing along with you.

Live review and photography of Tom Jones @ Belsonic Festival by Jacqueline Edmont on 16th June 2023.

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A Night At The Country Club With Lime Cordiale

Jacqueline Edmont — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:46:56 +0000

Lime Cordiale, the immensely popular Australian multi-instrumentalists, make a triumphant return to UK shores with their electrifying live show that is a complete sensory experience.

Lime Cordiale @ Kentish Town Forum

Louis Leimbach of Lime Cordiale (Jacqueline Edmont)

Despite being far from their home in Australia, the surf-rock band has found their slice of home in the UK performing to adoring fans at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. And watching their show, it’s easy to be swept up in their infectious larger-than-life stage presence and emerge as a new fan. Oli and Louis Leimbach, the two brothers that lead Lime Cordiale, are not your ordinary musicians. They infuse their music with theatrics. Attending their show is like stepping into a whimsical circus world where every moment is filled with wonder and amusement. With an image of a jovial countryman holding a beer on the stage backdrop, the band create a scene of a Country Club to transport you to what feels like a circus comedy act at a country fair. They skilfully infuse recognisable theme park music into their song transitions to immerse you in their musical carnival.

The brothers know how to keep you laughing. Their larger-than-life personalities shine through as they make funny exaggerated expressions and create bizarre dance breaks, injecting a dose of comedy into their performance.

Lime Cordiale @ Kentish Town Forum

Oli Leimbach of Lime Cordiale (Jacqueline Edmont)

While there’s a lot of cheekiness and giggles, their musical talent is diverse. Their entire brand revolves around incorporating unusual instruments that you wouldn’t typically see from an indie-rock band. They feature the trombone and clarinet, and they are the only band I have seen that plays the kazoo.

Lime Cordiale’s appeal goes beyond their entertaining production. The brothers have captivating charisma and foster genuine interactions with the crowd, making them a pleasure to watch. Whether they join you in the crowd to play right in your face, sing directly to you or engage the audience in a playful rivalry of cheers, they create an intimate experience that makes their audience feel seen and involved.

“We thought in London no one fucking knows our band and no one gives a shit about us, but then we see all of you here!” Oli addresses the audience. One thing is for sure, they have a strong fan base in the UK. Before the show even started I heard one girl yelling in excitement, “I can’t believe they’re going to be standing right there! I just can’t comprehend it!”

Ten years ago, in their early years, I watched the band play small venues and pubs on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Seeing them now at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, a major live music venue on the other side of the world, is a testament to their incredible growth over the years. Their ability to infuse their music with a sense of fun and cheekiness, combined with their impressive musical talent and captivating stage presence, takes you on a hilarious and unexpected ride. Attending a Lime Cordiale show is like stepping into a circus extravaganza, where everything is vibrant, fun, and guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

Live review and photography of Lime Cordiale @ O2 Forum Kentish Town by Jacqueline Edmont on 31st May 2023

The Chats Deliver One Night of Mayhem At Roundhouse

The post A Night At The Country Club With Lime Cordiale first appeared on Rockshot Magazine.

The Chats Deliver One Night of Mayhem At Roundhouse

Jacqueline Edmont — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:06:38 +0000

Drenched in beer and slightly dazed, I emerged from the mosh pit with my life intact, ready to recount a wild night with The Chats. The Australian punk rock icons, unleashed an explosive performance that blurred the line between a concert and a riot.

The Chats @ Roundhouse

Eamon Sandwith of The Chats (Jacqueline Edmont)

Taking the stage at the historic Roundhouse in London, The Chats brought their signature blend of chaos and comedy to a UK audience. Ever since their legendary single Smoko transformed Aussie slang into an international catchphrase, they have ascended to punk rock stardom. Now, on a UK and European tour to promote their latest album, Get Fucked, their raucous tunes are infused with hilarious and memorable lyrics that have become their trademark.

Comprising a three-piece band hailing from down under, with Eamon Sandwith on bass and vocals, Josh Hardy on guitar and Matt Boggis on drums respectively, they have attained the status of Australian icons. As a fellow Australian, I can safely say that The Chats are just as synonymous as koalas, kangaroos and the Sydney Harbour Bridge is to our national identity. And if they aren’t known by their stage name, they are otherwise known as the guys that sing Smoko. Their infectious song has morphed into something of a national anthem, encapsulating the carefree spirit of Australian youth.

Now the band are bringing their high-octane punk rock energy to new audiences and sharing their unique Australian culture with the world. While their lyrics have often revolved around quintessential Australian experiences and slang, Get Fucked showcases a more universal appeal. They will have you jumping, singing PANIC ATTACK with their punk rock onslaught which might as well induce an adrenaline-fuelled panic attack of its own.

But before the Aussie band took the stage in front of 3,300 people, the crowd was treated to a surge of energy from the UK’s very own The Chisel. Merging a variety of punk traditions to create a fresh and distinctive sound, they wasted no time in igniting the crowd.

The Chisel @ Roundhouse

Cal Graham of The Chisel (Jacqueline Edmont)

Their anti-establishment lyrics sung by frontman Cal Graham and his fierce performance style united the room, serving as a cathartic release for everyone. But it’s not all fiery aggression with Cal. He slipped us a cheeky smile in between songs as he noticed the unleashed crowd he created. It’s the perfect punk performance. After all, what is a punk performance without a raging crowd?

The Chats finally made their long-awaited entry. No strangers to chaos, Earmon, wearing a Budweiser beer shirt, addressed the crowd, “Before we start, I just wanna say, look after each other,” fully knowing the chaos that would ensue. In a split second, I found myself drenched in beer and sweat. Some daring young guys were crowd surfing while others threw their clothing at the boys on stage.

For an exhilarating hour, the boys channelled their inner teenage angst, mercilessly mocking authority figures and anyone trying to dampen their exuberance. All they desired was to revel in youthful antics and have a damn good time. It was a show where you had to leave your seriousness at the door and surrender to the pulsating crowd that would jostle you and your beer sideways while belting out lyrics like, “All I crave is a good pub feed!”

In the midst of a Chats show it doesn’t matter if you know every word or if you’re seeing them for the first time. Let the energy of the crowd carry you, shed your inhibitions and surrender to the madness of it all. Just remember to hold on tightly to your beer or drink it before you enter the mosh pit!

Live review and photography of The Chats @ Roundhouse by Jacqueline Edmont on 27th May 2023

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