Gig Review: Live Expressions, Upstairs at The Ritzy

Arts writer Petra Gent was at Saturday night’s Live Expressions at the Ritzy, an acoustic music evening striving  to showcase London’s new and emerging artists, hosted in Brixton.

My trip to the Ritzy on Saturday 24 January was my third visit to one of Dion Deverill’s Live Expressions nights, and as always he had gathered together an interesting line up of acoustic acts for the evening.

There was a friendly buzz in the room as the audience anticipated each new performer and the atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of a larger than life 3D bird man perched on the balcony behind us.

Becky CJ performing at Live Expressions. Photography by Petra Gent
Becky CJ performing at Live Expressions. Photography by Petra Gent

First up in tonight’s line up was 22 year old Becky CJ. Her songs cleverly coupled relationship angst with everyday themes, at the same time as being delivered with an impressively powerful voice. Between songs she comfortably chatted to the audience about her lack of ‘happy songs’, although her upbeat performance of these sad numbers kept the audience engaged.

Gareth Esson performing at Live Expressions
Gareth Esson performing at Live Expressions Photography by Petra Gent

Gareth Esson brought to the stage a much gentler tone. With songs about superheroes and single beds, his soulful voice with subtle vibrato accents charmed us all, as he interspersed each song with comments about how nervous he was. It was clear as he became more relaxed that there was real power in his voice and his Jack Johnson guitar style complemented this perfectly.

Third up was Marcus Valance with guitar and voice, bringing a slightly country feel to his story telling style of song writing, with a more mature feel to his lyrics. His mellow, heartfelt renditions sat well as a midway point for the evening.
Our host for the evening, Dion Deverill, performed several of his own compositions. An accomplished guitarist, his rhythmic style and occasional falsetto vocal reaches, pleased the room with some sweet love songs and heartfelt ballads.
LooseMooringAcoustic1
Loose Mooring performing at Live Expressions, Photography by Petra Gent

The first band of the evening were Loose Mooring Acoustic. With Jasmine Harper on vocals and the writing and performing talents of singer/songwriters Roy Hudson and Will Pike, this brought definite folk feel to the evening. Some gorgeous harmonies and intricate guitar interplay, there was a satisfying creative chemistry on the stage.

TIN performing at Live Expressions
TIN performing at Live Expressions, Photography by Petra Gent

TIN – (Things I’m Not) brought a ripple of excitement to the room as they carried on unphased after slight technical problems. The slightly eighties poppy rhythmic synth and funky guitar riffs were all sure to get the Ritzy moving, but it was the powerfully luscious vocals that really gripped everyone. An impressive performance, particularly as this was their first performance after a three year break.

These acoustic evenings are always popular at The Ritzy and it is good to see how appreciative the artists are of each others music as well as there being a place to enjoy live music in such an intimate setting.

 

4 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t know how many of you stayed till the end but I’m glad I did. Mei The Music where not on the flyer, but they where headlining that evening. I stayed there and watched there whole set, and man I was blown away. The energy on stage, musicality, vocal harmonies the whole set was a journey. Looking forward for the next one and more Mei 🙂

  2. Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyu what bout mei the music the were killer the brought smiles and and life to the night

  3. JonTheVolver I totally agree! *dramatic gasp* How could you forget Mei the Music?!! They were so great!

  4. What about Mei The Music (hope I’m pronouncing it right)?? They were easily the best and most dynamic act of the night!!!!

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