Rews Offer A Glimmer Of Light In The Darkness

An interesting night with two bands I had never seen before. The Darkness on the last of eighteen UK shows on their Easter Is Cancelled Tour before continuing the tour in Europe next year. First up, a band I have been eager to see for some time, Rews.

Songwriter and guitarist Shauna Tohill originally formed Rews as a two piece with Collette Williams on drums when she moved from Northern Ireland to London in 2015. Collette amicably left at the beginning of 2019 and Rews reformed as a three piece with Ele Lucas and Scott Hislop joining her on bass and drums respectively.

Rews powered into a seven number set and much of the sell out crowd entered the auditorium early giving them a chance to impress. From the reaction of the crowd I am guessing they made a few more friends and the band was thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to perform in this beautifully renovated legendary venue.

The Darkness was going to treat a sold out Roundhouse to two sets, the first set being the new album Easter Is Cancelled in its entirety with the ten numbers in the order they appear on the album followed by a greatest hits set.

The lights dim and the members enter stage right to applause from the crowd. They break into the opener, although Justin Hawkins’ vocals can be heard he is yet to appear and his brother Dan builds gently on acoustic before ramping it up on electric when Justin bursts onto the stage. Nobody can accuse this band of not dressing for the occasion with Justin, his bother Dan and Frankie Poullain all in dazzling white attire. Rufus Tiger Taylor was hidden from my view but I can report that his father, Queen’s Roger Taylor, would be proud of his son’s achievements.

Not much more than fives minutes separated the sets but ample time for a costume change it would seem. Justin Hawkins had traded white for red and he was indeed a spectacle to behold. A true showman as he leads the band into the classics from their back catalogue together with a glorious cover of Radiohead’s Street Spirit (Fade Out). With just five days until Christmas there was no surprise when the band signed off with Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End). As Justin Hawkins once declared ‘We managed to get bellend into a Christmas song without it getting banned!’.

Photography and words by Phil Honley of Rews And The Darkness at The Roundhouse on Friday 20th December 2019. Phil has his own photography site here: http://www.gigsnapz.co.uk.

Gracie Abrams Announces Third Album ‘Daughter From Hell’ And Unveils Lead Single ‘Hit The Wall’

Gracie Abrams is entering a bold new era with the announcement of her third studio album Daughter From Hell, set for release on 17th July. Alongside the announcement, the GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter has also shared the album’s lead single, Hit The Wall, offering fans a first glimpse into what promises to be another emotionally charged and deeply personal collection.

Dan + Shay Announce Deeply Personal New Album ‘Young’ And Share Inspiring Title Track

Country-pop superstars Dan + Shay have unveiled details of their highly anticipated sixth studio album Young, set for release on 21st August. Alongside the announcement, the GRAMMY®-winning duo have shared the album’s heartfelt title track, offering fans an emotional first glimpse into what promises to be their most intimate record to date.

Issac Ryan Brown Keeps Momentum Surging With Infectious New Single ‘Life Of The Party’

Issac Ryan Brown’s rapid ascent continues with the release of his vibrant new single Life Of The Party, a glossy pop-R&B anthem that further establishes the 20-year-old as one of the genre’s most exciting breakout stars.

Jamie Grey Channels Heartfelt Honesty On New Single ‘Unequivocal’

Rising UK singer-songwriter Jamie Grey continues to cement his reputation as one of Britain’s most emotionally authentic new voices with the release of his powerful new single, Unequivocal.

Jesse Roper (Danielle Lindenlaub & Kim Jay of Ethos Imagery)

Jesse Roper Turns Up The Heat With Fiery New EP ‘Daisy Wake Up’

Canadian singer-songwriter Jesse Roper is continuing his steady rise on both sides of the Atlantic with the release of his brand-new EP Daisy Wake Up, a six-track collection that finds the acclaimed guitarist and storyteller leaning fully into his love of gritty blues-rock and high-energy Americana.

Headwreck Join EMPIRE And Unleash Explosive New Single ‘Raindrops’

Australian nu-metal rising stars Headwreck have taken another major step towards international breakout success, announcing a new partnership with independent powerhouse EMPIRE alongside the release of their ferocious new single, Raindrops.

Bruce Foxton @ Cadogan Hall (Louise Phillips)

Bruce Foxton & Chris Difford Bring Nostalgia And Charm To London’s Cadogan Hall

There are few venues in London better suited to an evening of sharp songwriting and classic British wit than the wonderfully elegant Cadogan Hall. For the first of two nights at the venue, Bruce Foxton and special guest Chris Difford delivered a show steeped in nostalgia, humour and timeless songs that have long since become woven into the fabric of British music culture. While Difford provided warmth and charm through a career-spanning opening set, Foxton and his band revisited the enduring catalogue of The Jam with the confidence and polish of musicians who know exactly what their audience wants.

Brian Fallon Returns With First Solo Music In Over Five Years On ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’ And ‘Better Before’

Brian Fallon has returned with his first original solo material in more than five years, unveiling two brand-new tracks: Not Bad For New Jersey and Better Before. Released via Fallon’s own Lesser Known Records, the songs mark a fresh chapter for the New Jersey songwriter while reconnecting with the heartland rock and power-pop sensibilities that have defined his career both as a solo artist and as frontman of The Gaslight Anthem.