MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

 

 (Manchester Bands Section)

 

LOAFER
Blue Cat Cafe, Stockport  14/7/00  

(Kirsty McGee/Sleepwalker/Loafer)
Tucked away in the back streets of Heaton Moor lies this showcase for `local’ artists wanting to practice their trade before hopefully moving up the ladder to a wider audience
When you get there you are confronted with a dilemma; do you cross in front of the performers to get to the bar or wait till the song is over?
That hurdle negotiated, the first two acts fall foul of the law of last minute addition by not having their names on the posters, so `Si Unknown’ and the `Scouser living in Manchester and appearing here next Thursday’  must remain cloaked in the shrouds of anonymity.
Which is no reflection on their talents as both have an ability to keep the audience entertained, especially `Scouser’ who attempts to involve the punters to a greater degree with his comparison with the gig of taking a dog out for a walk after it’s been locked up for a while - it will start with a rush as so will he, so if there’s any distortion in the sound that’s the root cause
Part of their art is to engage the crowds emotions so that they feel comfortable in your presence and Kirsty is well enough known to engender warm sentiments.  Accompanied by two friends, Julian Gaskell & Kester from the band Loafer,  Kirsty exudes a confidence from working hard at her craft, with her deceptively  fragile vocals enticing the audience into her world.
At one point Kester & Julian bounce off each other to the extent that it may appear the Kirsty is supporting those two but its a balance that works remarkably well despite the 3 not having played together since May
There’s enough time for two numbers by Julian & Kester.  The final one, a seemingly pared down version of `Billy Slag’ but it builds to a storming climax that has most of the locals clapping their hands in support of the Greek wedding style chant
Having supped Danny’s `rider’ of cheap lager, Sleepwalker take to the front, vocalist Sandy now sporting a piece of face furniture, the goatee. They push the definition of acoustic to the limits, using electric guitars, bass and drums, but the resultant sound is so delicate and fragile that it really doesn’t matter how it was created
Three numbers, including Diving Bell and the single Sleepwalking wrap up a fine evening of music that seems to have come to and end far too soon.
The relaxed atmosphere has produced an intimacy more reminiscent of being in someones front room, sharing a few drinks, especially as most of the performers know and banter with each other throughout the evening.
Each act is sufficiently different in their own right to complement the others
One thing though, ask Danny to drop the prices - £2.80 for a pint!
 
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