Nic Cester A Photo Story @ Pretty Green, Carnaby Street

by | Jul 28, 2018

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

When we arrive at Pretty Green for Cester’s solo album launch – entitled Sugar Rush – and the vibe of the venue feels very much like something you would have expected to find Jet at in their earliest days: a small, incredibly intimate setting filled with instruments and an open bar. Earlier we interviewed Nic and you can find that here: https://rockshotmagazine.com/210897/nic-cester-interview-a-psychedelic-sugar-rush-hits-the-streets-of-soho/

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Despite the unbearable heat of the small venue – all thanks to this fine practically Mediterranean summer Britain has been having – the crowd receives the new tracks with open arms, in particular the first single, Eyes On the Horizon and Psichebello, (described as the most psychedelic track on the album), which feels like a refreshing smash of genres – in particularly thanks to the heavy feature of the bongo drums. 

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Cester has formed a new band, The Milano Electrica, an eight piece with a great variety of instruments and skill to its repertoire, but a particular focus on percussion.  Cester himself can be seen with a set of maracas for a greater portion of his performance.

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

After just three songs, Cester declared that he was going to move the gig outside onto the cobbles of Carnaby Street for the final two tracks due to the inclement weather – i.e. incredibly unbearable humidity. He sang microphone-less to a growing crowd outside the venue, the performance complete with travel-sized amps and bongos and it was here that I got a glimpse into the Rock’n’Roll side of the man.

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Nic Cester (Ruby Gaunt)

Photography by Ruby Gaunt and words by India Rose Meade at Nic Cester, Pretty Green, Carnaby Street, London.

https://rockshotmagazine.com/210897/nic-cester-interview-a-psychedelic-sugar-rush-hits-the-streets-of-soho/

The Wildhearts @ O2 Academy Islington (Louise Phillips)

The Wildhearts vs. Meryl Streek Ignite London’s O2 Academy Islington

Tonight is The Wildhearts’ traditional December London show, a dual celebration of Christmas and Ginger Wildheart’s birthday — he turns 61 on 17th December. This year the festivities take place at North London’s O2 Academy Islington, with Meryl Streek as the sole support act.

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes @ O2 Forum Kentish Town (Nick Allan)

Here’s Another Cover: Spike And The Gimme Gimmes Turn Christmas Into A Punk Rock Singalong Riot

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes don’t just play shows – they turn rooms into shared experiences, where sweat, nostalgia, and punk energy collide at full volume. On this night, at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, that collision came wrapped in Christmas lights, tinsel, and unapologetic festive excess.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Spread Their Love To The Troxy

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – the garage heroes who’ve ‘spread their love’ across the globe before selling out...
Drink The Sea @ Jazz Cafe (Adrian Hextall)

Drink The Sea Cast A Spell On London’s Jazz Café

London gets its first taste of Drink The Sea tonight, and it immediately feels like something special. Touring in...
Better Joy @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Better Joy’s Rise Continues As Manchester Indie-Pop Breakout Commands London’s Hammersmith Apollo

Better Joy’s upward momentum shows no sign of slowing as Bria Keely brings her shimmering indie-pop project to the vast stage of Hammersmith Apollo on 20th November 2025, opening for Amy Macdonald. It’s a landmark moment for the Manchester-based songwriter, whose journey from intimate rooms to arena-sized crowds has accelerated at remarkable speed over the past eighteen months.

Alabama 3 Inject A Hypo Full Of Love Into O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The enigma that is Alabama 3, the world’s only acid house country band, are the perfect strong finish to 2025. Holographic suits, raving to John Pine covers and even the AI resurrection of deceased co-founder Reverend D Wayne Love take second place to the overwhelming sense of joy in an eclectic community that’s coalesced around their charismatic music.

GUV (Victoria Prestes)

GUV Unveils Euphoric New Single ‘Warmer Than Gold’ Ahead of January Album Release

GUV has shared a new single, Warmer Than Gold, the latest offering from his forthcoming album of the same name, due...
Mumford & Sons @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Mumford & Sons Return Home Renewed And Reignited At The O2 Arena

Mumford & Sons often still conjure images of waistcoats, banjos and the folk revival that erupted in 2009, but...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing