Review - ExTC - Acapela Studio - 20/07/2024

Images - Tony Woolway

2 June 1981, one of UK’s finest bands to evolve from Punk/New Wave XTC played what was to be the band’s final UK live appearance at Cardiff’s Top Rank, promoting their Black Sea album.

It proved a fateful day for fans of the band after the prolific and influential singer/songwriter Andy Partridge’s well documented breakdown meant the band were never to play live in the UK ever again.

Fortunately it didn’t affect the flow of brilliant recordings as the band, almost Beatle-like, transformed into a studio band, that have been a major influence to many of those who followed.

Then a few years ago fans were treated to the rarest of occasions when the returning powerhouse of a drummer Terry Chambers, after relocating to the UK from Australia, hooked up with bassist Colin Moulding for a series of gigs in their hometown of Swindon.

It was a wonderful, but brief encounter as, quickly as he reappeared on the scene, Moulding disappeared back into the shadows after a job well done.

Thankfully, drummer Chambers decided to stick around and with his band of talented brothers, set about more live work leading to a long-awaited return to Cardiff, back to where it all fizzled out many years ago giving fans both young, and now, quite old, a chance to relive what a glorious sound the four Wiltshire chaps helped create.

Along with guitarist and vocalist Steve Hampton and bassist Terry Lines, TC and friends lovingly recreate the sound of XTC with a set pack full of songs that featured in such a long and very creative time for one of UK’s finest ever bands.

Chambers certainly has lost none of the power that helped drive the songs of Partridge and Moulding, proving what an essential part of the sound his drumming helped produce. Certainly with Moulding in tow, the pair where undoubtedly one of the best rhythm sections to come out of new wave, and British music generally.

Opening with the classic no 1 that never was “This Is Pop” and swiftly followed by the classic “Statue of Liberty” the band moved swiftly on to the front foot, dipping into and featuring songs from most of the group’s recorded work through the years.

Hampton in particular took centre stage replicating much of Partridge’s eccentric guitar riffing whilst holding down much of the show vocally. Terry Lines on bass wonderfully reproduced the melodic and quirky Moulding bass lines plus, when required stepped up to the microphone on a few tunes to take the lead, all the while providing backing vocals.

There certainly wasn’t any let up in the pace and following a short break, the band came back with a clutch of songs that blew away the very appreciative audience.

“Sgt Rock”, “Respectable St” and a superb “Living Through Another Cuba / Generals and Majors” lead not unsurprisingly to the bands biggest and best remembered hit “Making Plans For Nigel” .

One of group’s later songs “Stupidly Happy” featured one of the evening’s highlights as one chap kicked off his shoes to perform a David Byrne-like dance performance that beautifully synced with the music, so good that the group would be well-advised to take him on tour with them !

Ending the evening with another single that should have been a massive hit “Life Begins at the Hop” it was a terrific finish to a night of perfection and smile-induced nostalgia. Even the missing members would agree that XTC lives on in the very capable hands of Terry Chambers and EXTC.

By Tony Woolway

Setlist

This Is Pop

Statue of Liberty

No Language in Our Lungs

Love on a Farmboy's Wages

Real by Reel

Towers of London

Paper and Iron

Senses Working Overtime

Jason and the Argonauts

Ball and Chain

The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead

Summer's Cauldron / Grass

No Thugs in Our House

Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)

Rocket From a Bottle

Respectable Street

Living Through Another Cuba / Generals and Majors

Making Plans for Nigel

Stupidly Happy

Life Begins at the Hop

Review - Tom Robinson - Acapela Studio - 16/11/2023

One of the punk/new wave’s heroes made a return to the wonderful Acapela Studios and another sellout evening on a chilly Thursday evening.

Robinson is a real unsung icon of his generation and a devoted and very vocal opponent of everything wrong in this spiralling world. A pioneer for gay rights and a critic of the abuses of power, Robinson’s songs have been inspirational to many.

Whether it be with a full band in tow or like this evening, close and personal with just his guitar and keyboard to accompany himself, he never fails to entertain or inform in what can be extremely passionate performances of some of his era defining songs.

All Images Copyright KCL

It’s not that he’s rested on his laurels and still writes poignant songs that hit the nerve, sometimes uncomfortably so, but also with humour and occasional sadness. His last song of the evening, a newer song and a personal favourite of his, written for his children and about living in the moment called “Only The Now” demonstrates that at 73, he still has the musical chops and and still touch the heart of his listeners.

Just as his Radio Six presenting career will testify, Robinson is a good raconteur and during the performance tells candidly about his career, the ups and some depressingly downs, woven effortlessly through his songs.

Songs like “Too Good To Be True” a favourite of his band’s talented and sadly now passed away guitarist Danny Kurstow proved a lovely tribute whilst his ‘comeback’ song, the hit “War Baby” written after fleeing to Hamburg, Germany after the breakup of his band and heavily in dept allowed Robinson to return from what was undoubtedly a very tough period in his life.

Sadly it was over too quickly and Robinson left the stage to rapturous applause acknowledging the crowd and his love for the venue. Always a supporter and promoter of new music Robinson’s support for the evening was local Splott singer/songwrier Adjua who delighted the audience, and Tom Robinson, to some soulful and well-crafted songs and certainly one to watch for in the future. Well done Tom !

Tony Woolway

Review - Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri - The Long Road Home Tour - Acapela Studio - 13/11/2021

It’s been a year in waiting for the return of Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, and certainly, after their performance on a chilly Saturday evening, it was well worth the wait.

The Acapela Studio is fast becoming a beacon for live music in the area and a venue where you can get up close and personal to the artist in a quite chilled environment and something that no doubt attracts both performers and fans who find large concert halls both antiseptic and cold.

Yet the 13th proved rather prophetic for the duo as the gremlins struck during their opening number with a power issue, but they battled on gamely despite the false start with Kiki Dee casually annoucing that a glass of red wine would help calm the jitters, whereupon, a glass appeared at the front of the stage, courtesy of the management, and a very grateful singer.

If getting through the first number “What You Wish For” appeared a little traumatic, the rest of the evening was simply plain sailing with a lovely acoustic version of her biggest hit (with Elton John, his first No 1) “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “Small Mercies” a song about appreciating life, and a quite stunning version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”.

There were a few exceptional covers during the two-set performance. Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love” a heart tugging “Let It Be Me” by The Everly Brothers and best of all Sinatra’s “Very Good Year”, in a suprising, yet classy selection.

Dee’s voice, as strong as it ever, was supremely complimented by Luggeri’s virtuoso guitar, creating soundscapes that provided the perfect foil for Dee, who pitched in with some occasional keyboards .

It’s been a long and rewarding career for Kiki Dee, something which was emphasised by her hit “Amoureuse”, released in 1973 and performed so perfectly in 2021, as she turned back the clock in quite stunning fashion, a very youthful looking 74 years of age.

For those Strictly fans in the audience it was interesting to hear that she had turned down this year’s series, saying she was to be the ‘token’ oldie in the competition, but, declined her inclusion due to a family illness. On this evening’s performance, It was obvious she was quite capable of putting a few of the younger ones in the shade, had she been able to perform.

But, back to the music, and the highlight of the evening. “Until We Meet Again”, a touching song about her mother and how the death of her father affected her and having to re-invent herself and embrace her life without her husband and life partner.

Ending proceedings with another hit “I’ve Got The Music In Me” a big UK and American hit, it was a triumph after such a frustrating start for the duo. They say good things come to those who wait, so hopefully, for Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri, an early, post-pandemic Acapela return will be on the cards.

Review and Pix - Tony Woolway

China Crisis - Acapela 05/11/2021

All Images Copyright KCL©

It’s been very nearly 40 years, yet for China Crisis, what’s a few years amongst good friends.

80’s bands and their music can be a little cheesy to the discerning listener and whilst many rave about that particular era, which without doubt saw some amazing talents, quite a few bands never seem to get the credit their music deserved and who still very much inspire. One such band is China Crisis.

Despite achieving some considerable hits and critically acclaimed albums, when compiling lists of the great and the good during those times, China Crisis rarely get acknowleged and it’s a frustration that, no doubt the band, as well as their die hard fans would love to correct.

But what China Crisis do, as opposed to their contemporaries is continue to produce the goods both writing and performing at times new material, as well as performing songs from a quite stunning back catalogue.

If I’m sounding very much like a fan, then I admit to being hooked from their earliest begins with the release of their debut album, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain, which was released in December 1982 and the singles "African and White" and "Christian". All seeming so fresh and different at the time.

Fast forward 40 years and I’m still getting that buzz with each performance, and trust me, I’ve seen quite a few!

The China Crisis of today is certainly a different animal, and whether seeing them as a duo, quartet, or full-blown band, they never fail to produce an evening of sublime music and hysterical chatter, something to a newcomer, is totally unexpected.

Fronted by the genial Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly, it’s Daly in particular who lifts proceedings to another level with his good natured and whimsical account of the band’s career and recordings as well as hilarious name-dropping the good and not-so-good people they’ve met during their considerable career.

But, it’s the music we initially came for and the four-piece band were in quite excellent form as they played a selection of singles and album tracks in between Daly’s side-splitting anecdotes.

Songs from the band’s Walter Becker (Steely Dan) produced album Flaunt the Imperfection and the Langer/Winstanley What Price Paradise sounded as fresh as the day they were released with “Arizona Sky” in particular, with it’s catchy refrain still reverberating days/weeks later.

It would be unfair to not mention the contribution made by Jack Hymers (keyboards) and Eric Animan (sax) who completed the band and are indispensable to the China Crisis ‘sound’

Unfortunately/fortunately, with all the chat, the band lost sense of time leaving them rushing to beat the Acapela curfew yet still managed to squeeze in the wonderful “Christian”- before sheepishly ending yet another quite fabulous evening.

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure then the band are out on tour next year celebrating their 40th Anniversary and with luck, coming to a town near you.

Tony Woolway

Images Copyright KCL©