Live: Lonely The Brave @ The Marble Factory, Bristol.

Mark Trotter guitarist of Lonely The Brave headlining at The Marble Factory in Bristol. (Natalie Lam)

It’s an early start for tonight’s show in Bristol. Spirits are high. There’s a contagious buzz infecting the room with anticipation and with the recent praise that Lonely The Brave have received from their newest album raise, it’s no surprise why. Each member of the crowd shares that genuine enthusiasm and it’s just one of the few factors that makes tonight’s set a special one.

Mark Trotter guitarist of Lonely The Brave headlining at The Marble Factory in Bristol. (Natalie Lam)

Supporting act, Tall Ships take to the stage. Their presence has a casual but driven manner that most fans only wish they could still see in their favourite band. This demeanour is just a contrast to the sound that the four-piece produce. Tracks like T=0 range in textures, from thick, layered with unconventional but dynamic riffs to comparably muted melodies and softer notes. The impact this has on crowd is reminiscent of seeing a band in a packed out 8,000 capacity venue. The sound is memorable, loud and powerful.

David Jakes, singer of Lonely The Brave, headlining at The Marble Factory in Bristol. (Natalie Lam)

The venue fills out quickly for Lonely The Brave. Singer, David Jakes, more often than not appears timid on stage, avoiding the limelight and fan adoration (which is nonetheless, humbling), but opening with a performance of Black Mire welcomes fans with a new energy from him that seems to spur on the rest of the band. It’s not lost on the first few songs either.

Ross Smithwick, guitarist and backing singer of Lonely the Brave, headlining The Marble Factory in Bristol (Natalie Lam)

The Blue, The Green encourages further singalongs, making the track feel like an epic anthem, filling a club venue. Halfway through, Lonely the Brave, throw a curveball of a well-executed cover of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, which transforms the leftover passive observers to attentive eagle-eyed and fox-ear’d.

Andrew Bushen, bassist of Lonely the Brave, headlining The Marble Factory in Bristol (Natalie Lam)

With undivided attention now on the band, here seems like the perfect time to introduce Radar, a punchier, rockier sound. It seems like they can do it all – get a group religiously dancing, moshing, singing and chanting, desperate to hear more during an encore.

David Jakes, singer of Lonely The Brave, headlining at The Marble Factory in Bristol. (Natalie Lam)

What seems so universally special, is the fact that you’re watching a band that are about to break the world but you’re the first to find out the secret. It’s rare to find six people that so early on display such excellent musicianship without even really realising it. They’re only two albums into their career but this is undoubtedly a small fraction of its longevity.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000RjJxEOkVzKk” g_name=”Lonely-The-Brave” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_smooth=”t” f_up=”t” f_topbar=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”740″ height=”555″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” target=”_self” ]

Live Review & Photography by Natalie Lam.

Lonely The Brave, The Marble Factory, Bristol on 7^th October 2016.

Architects Give London’s O2 Arena So Much More Than Whiplash

The O2 Arena is dark. A rumble transforms into what sounds like an air raid siren. Bass drones stab through, in time with bars of light above and below the stage. Shimmers appear further back, casting shadows. Electro beats kick in. Suddenly, just for a moment, the lights and sound cut out; a deep breath before the synths of Elegy begin. Spotlights hit Sam Carter as he starts to sing, the rest of the stage still murky.

Wayne Kramer of MC5/MC50 @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

MC50 Announce Explosive Live Album ‘10 MORE’ – Out December 5th

Legendary Detroit rock pioneers MC50 – the modern incarnation of the MC5, led by the late founding guitarist Wayne Kramer – have announced a brand-new live album, 10 MORE, set for release on 5th December. The record captures the unrelenting power and political punch of the band’s acclaimed 2018 world tour, which reignited the revolutionary energy that first made the MC5 one of rock’s most radical and influential forces.

EMF @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Adrian Hextall)

EMF, Jesus Jones & Bis Bring Britpop Energy Back To O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

It was a full-on ‘90s Brit legends night at West London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, with three bands who made their mark during the decade proving they’ve still got plenty of spark left. Throw in a few special guests and a crowd that was up for it from the first note, and you’ve got one of those nights that remind you just how much fun live music can be.

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.