buzzcocksfan: The Lion and The Wolf / Laura Stevenson / Kevin Devine & The Goddam Band. Brudenell, Leeds. 02.02.17.

Back at the Brudenell for the second time in 6 days I’m thinking tonight should be an altogether more sedate affair than last weekend's bash with The Rezillos.

I’ll be completely honest and admit that four weeks ago I’d never heard of The Lion And The Wolf or Laura Stevenson and the name Kevin Devine was one of those ‘I should have heard of him, possibly have heard of him, but can’t remember where or when’. So why am I here? Well a mate was asked to review the gig, he asked me to take a few snaps, for personal reasons he could no longer attend and I decided I still would as I appreciate opportunities to get to know new stuff.

I arrive and the place is almost empty at 7.40pm. By 8pm when The Lion & The Wolf takes to the stage there’s a decent number of people in. The Lion & The Wolf is Thomas George and he walks onto the stage with his guitar, says hello and asks people to join the mosh pit at the front. I immediately appreciate his sense of humour – there’s just him and his guitar and his songs are not exactly the sort you jump around to. Now the only people who have managed to hold my attention for long when there’s just them and a guitar on stage are TV Smith, Kristin Hersh, Louise Distras and Steve Diggle and they all (with the possible exception of KH) play loud and fast so I’m expecting to take a few pics tonight and then go to the bar. It doesn’t happen. The Lion & The Lamb play acoustic, melancholy songs that seem to deal with a lot of sadness. But, and this to me is what allows an artist to hold their audience, you know these songs come straight from the heart. Each is introduced with a short account of an event that has often caused great sadness or stress (being in love then not being in love / a close friend’s parent who nearly dies / messages from loved ones when you are thousands of miles away – get the picture?). 'The Lion & The Wolf' , 'The Hole That It Leaves' , 'Colour', 'Symptoms' from 1st album Symptoms. 'Heaven Forbid', 'My Fathers Eyes' and 'The Pinching Point' from new album The Cardiac Hotel. Each song is delivered with a feeling that is almost palpable. And so 6, 7, 8 songs later I’m still stood right at the front, my camera is in it’s bag and I’m looking forward to hearing the next song.

It can sometimes be a good feeling when what you get is completely opposite to what you were expecting to get. The Lion and The Wolf provide that good feeling.

The Cardiac Hotel is the new album by The Lion And The Wolf.

Website here.

Facebook here here.
Have a listen here.

The Lion And The Wolf

Laura Stevenson steps on stage with just an acoustic guitar. It’s hard not to compare her to The Lion and The Wolf. Songs straight from the heart about issues and events personal to her. Emotional. Like TLATW each song is preceded with a short introduction to give us an idea of what influenced her to write it.

The audience has steadily grown in numbers and by now the Brudenell is getting full. Laura Stevenson has the attention of everyone. There’s no annoying talking amongst people that so often spoils things when you’re trying to listen to an artist play a solo set. She’s released four albums to date. They feature electric guitars and drums and are, on the whole, a noisier more rocky listen than tonight’s set. Listening to her recorded output and tonight’s songs reminds me of Belly / Tanya Donelly which is no bad thing at all. Like I said at the beginning of this review I’d never heard of Laura Stevenson four weeks ago. Now I won’t forget her. Having now listened to all four of her albums I’m undecided whether I prefer tonight’s stripped down acoustic show or the songs with some noise behind them. Possibly tonight’s versions. Delicate, emotional subjects seem to hit home more when there’s nothing else to distract you, nothing for the performer to hide behind. You have to focus on the content of the songs rather than let your mind be distracted by the beat of a drum or the riff of a guitar. And the content of these songs deals with real issues. Issues that most people, in one way or another, can often relate to.

Once again I’m still stood at the front at the end of her set. I still haven’t been to the bar.

Laura Stevenson’s latest album is Cocksure.

Website here.

Facebook here.

Laura Stevenson

Laura Stevenson with Kevin Devine

Laura Stevenson

Kevin Devine has released a lot of albums. I know this because over the last few weeks I’ve listened to most of them at least once (one of the advantages of Amazon Prime). They’re bloody good. In fact a number of them are really great. His solo work with just him and a guitar is excellent but for me it all comes alive when there’s also drums, bass, keyboards and whatever other instruments feature.

He starts tonight with just him and his guitar and, although it’s a little louder and a little more rocky than the previous acts, it’s really no indication of what is about to happen. His band, The Goddamn Band, walk on stage and from song number two the place comes alive. It’s a perfect noise. Vocals you can hear, and music that is loud, fast, thrashy, punky, poppy. Within seconds Devine is jumping all over the place. It’s as though some sort of incredible burst of energy has just been released. He really is bouncing. So much so that by the third song sweat is pouring off him and tiny droplets are flying all over the place. Kevin Devine has recently released a new album, ‘Instigator’, and there’s a decent chunk of songs from this (‘Instigator’, ‘No Why’, ‘Magic Magnet’, ‘Both Ways’, ‘Day Drunk’, ‘No History’) but tonight’s set also includes songs from a good selection of his back catalogue. ‘Just Stay’, ‘No Time’, ‘Off Screen’ from ‘Matter of Time’. 2013’s ‘Bulldozer’ and ‘Bubblegum’ albums are represented by ‘She Can See Me’, ‘Bloodhound’, ‘Bulldozer’, ‘Red Bird’. Albums ‘Split The Country Split The Street’, ‘Matter of Time’ and ‘Brother’s Blood’ all get a look in as well.

A gig is always so much better when the band is also enjoying themselves. The chemistry between the three people on stage is obvious. You know they get on well. You know they have a laugh. You know they are mates. They don’t have to tell us this. You also know they work hard to produce the atmosphere this gig has. And that energy just doesn’t stop. It’s still there, hanging around, when The Goddamn Band leave the stage and Devine gives us a couple of solo numbers. He tells good stories about previous gigs. In short, Kevin Devine knows how to play a gig and get people on his side whether you’ve seen him before or not.

I take a few photographs. Not an easy task when both Devine and bassist Andy Prince move about so much. I also ask myself a number of questions. Why haven’t I seen this lot before? Kevin Devine has played Leeds on more than one occasion in the past. Why don’t I own any of his music? Can I afford to buy his back catalogue? I know the answers – I go to a lot of concerts already. I buy loads of albums already. No, unless I stop buying the other stuff I want. It all boils down to priorities. Maybe my priorities will need to change.

I notice the Brudenell is now full. Clearly a lot of people have been listening to Kevin Devine for a long time. They know all the songs. Their appreciation is obvious. There’s people here tonight that follow this guy like I follow Buzzcocks – a fact confirmed when I later overhear a conversation that’s based on how many of the UK tour dates they’ve been to. I can understand why. Team this sort of music with lyrics that actually mean something and there’s nothing not to like.

I came here to take some photographs. I left knowing there’s now another person / band I’ll have to see next time they tour. It’s also very likely I’ll be adding to my record collection soon.

Kevin Devine website here.

Facebook here.