Saturday 17 August 2013

Chris Murray The Maze

Headliner: Chris Murray
Venue: The Maze Nottingham
Date: 16 August 2013
Support acts: Nadia Latoya, stuck in 2nd, Ashmore, project o'kane

So another gig this time Chris Murray, a legend in the ska scene and probably the best in the business when it comes acoustic ska to get you bouncing.

This gig was at the maze in Nottingham a venue I have been to a few times in the past. My main gripe infact a rather large one with this venue is that it seems to be a pretty much closed community for bands performing there.

I get the point and the idea that a large proportion of them are all friends and know each other pretty well and that by having a dedicated number of followers/fans/gig goers etc that they are able to put on these sort of shows by guaranteeing a number of heads through the door. BUT and it's a big BUT it seems to me that if you aren't a friend of the family you don't seem to be given much of a chance or an audience.

When one of the family is onstage they all appear, start jumping around, dancing, singing along etc but as soon as they finish they all vanish and some of the support bands seem to perform in front of nobody. Infact in my opinion the two best bands on the support bill last night played in front of an almost empty venue.

Anyway enough moaning and onto the gig.

First up Nadia Latoya 

Big voice, a mixture of soul and reggae made a good impression on me and a great way to start the night.

Next up one of the family bands stuck in 2nd they were ok but not as good as the family made out.

Next up Ashmore, obviously by now the family had done a runner.  Ashmore is an 18 year old musician from Nottingham together with his mate Motomouf beatboxing, what else can you say but wow, this lad is onto something and with the beats laid down by motomouf they were ace especially the version of redemption song at the end of the set which was awesome.  Best artists on the supporting bill tonight and will probably be bigger than anyone else on the bill eventually.

Next up project o'kane led by Liam O'kane big fish small pond springs to mind not a fan but they love him down here even at the end as a supporting band they left instruments, cases, setlists all over the stage that Chris Murray had to move himself, oh and he sounds a little like Miss Piggy when singing.

Chris Murray was next, I have been a fan of Chris Murray for over 10 years since I got hold of a copy of the 4 track adventures of venice shoreline Chris, and have seen him multiple times.  I love music that is raw, uncomplicated, no need for efffects and Chris Murray does this amazingly well.

Playing a set of mainly requests asked before and during the gig he was great however when the headliner doesn't come on till midnight half the crowd are to drunk to notice and the audience dwindles.  having so many artists on the bill and not starting till 9pm leaves it to late for the headliners to take the stage in my opinion.

I am sure they love what they do here and it's great that as a collective people can get together put on and promote their own shows and have a good time etc, I'm not knocking that at all, it's just I wish they would give more time to other artists all seems a bit local.




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