Live Review: Martin Stephenson @ The Borderline.

by | Dec 21, 2013

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees prove to be an ideal act to see in the run up to Christmas – they exude so much warmth and charm that you walk away wishing good to all mankind and wanting to hug everyone you encounter. Not a particularly common feeling in central London, even in late December.

The band’s headline set at London’s west end venue The Borderline is filled with banter with the audience, hearty stomp-a-long anthems and tender, soulful ballads.

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Opening with Little Red Bottle from the 1986 debut album Boat To Bolivia, Martin and company steam through a set that includes Rain, Coleen and a faster, funkier version of the mammoth Wholly Humble Heart. New material includes Long Way To Go from last year’s California Star album.

Martin demonstrates that he was a precocious talent with the track Neon Skies, which he tells us he wrote at the age of 14. The night swings from the personal to the political with him citing Margaret Thatcher as the impetus for writing the sharp tale of poverty and betrayal that is Left Us To Burn.

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Lightening the mood again, Martin entertains the audience with myriad tales, including an insight into the 80s Liverpool music scene, painting a picture of very unlikely characters getting together on Sunday mornings to play football.

Aside from the Daintees foundation of bass, guitar, drums and occasional violin there’s also some vocal support from Alex Smith and Helen McCookerybook.

Running Water gets everyone dancing towards the end of the show. Quite how such a joyous sounding track can have lyrics including “I’m glad that it’s manslaughter not murder why they put you away” is a good example of Martin’s unique take on song-writing.

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Borderline on 17 December 2013 (Imelda Michalczyk)

The band’s friendly exuberance is returned by the crowd and both audience and band are disappointed at not being able to fit in “half a song” more, when the sound technician calls time at 11pm. Luckily, Martin Stephenson has a 2014 tour already lined up, so they’ll be opportunities for more feel good fun.

On second thoughts, this an ideal band to see at any time of year: Martin Stephenson & The Daintees – not just for Christmas.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000TGNotI_lQt8″ g_name=”Martin-Stephenson” 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_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Review by Imelda Michalczyk on 17 December 2013, London.
Martin Stephenson & The Daintees
at The Borderline on 17 December 2013.
Imelda has her own website here: http://www.rebeladelica.com/

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Don McLean @ The Long Road Festival (Press)

The Long Road Festival 2025 Assembles Its Biggest Line-Up Yet For August Bank Holiday Weekend

Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Stevie Wonder @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Bethan Miller-Carey)

A Night In Wonderland: Stevie Wonder And Guests Delight At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Awwwwight!” drawls Stevie Wonder, arms flung wide, grinning like a teenager trying on cockney charm for the first...
Neil Young @ BST Hyde Park (Trudi Knight)

Dance, Shadow And Harvest Under The Full Moon: Van Morrison, Yusuf Islam And Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts At BST Hyde Park 2025

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Poptones (Rune Gro-Nielsen)

Poptones Play Their Wild Card With New Single ‘Say Something Now’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album ‘Pure’

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing