Reviwed by Adam Piotrowski and Trevor Locke
Photographed by Kevin Gaughan
Adam writes:
The ‘Alldayer’ at Firebug and Duffy’s, an annual event on August Bank Holiday Sunday, has become something of a Leicester music institution. Now in it’s 21st year, the event is all about celebrating and supporting local musicians and residents in a warm and inclusive environment. This year there are over 30 acts comprising about 100 musicians, all from the greater Leicester area, gaining valuable public exposure at respectable music venues. The organisers are keen to look after the musicians too with all performers getting fed and paid at the very least expenses and of course the event is free to attend for the public.
There was a general jovial buzz in the air, friends catching up, and families whiling away a Sunday afternoon. There was enough space to find a quiet corner if you so wish, an outdoor beer garden to enjoy the bank holiday sun and something about the event that invited people to be exactly who they were without judgement. A great deal of work goes into putting an event of this scale on, from the stage programmers to the sound people, bartenders, and, of course, the musicians themselves. It is a labour of love, so a big shout-out to everyone who played a part in the day.
Next time you are in close proximity to someone who says there’s nothing to do in Leicester, give them a swift smack in the face (but not too hard – we don’t want a lawsuit), and remind them of the name of this website, or indeed the Alldayer at Firebug and Duffy’s. Name your style of music and you will find it here – introspective acoustic, lively punk/ska, gothic country, high energy gypsy folk – tick, tick, tick and tick.
Although the acts started from 12, our coverage starts at the 3:30 slot for Rai Waddingham’s set at Firebug, though I am reliably informed of impressive sets from both St Brigid and Jessica Urwin which took place in the early afternoon slots before our arrival.
I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Rai a few times and I find her personality is much like her music – gentle, polite, respectful, warm and emotionally intelligent. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, at times I thought her deep register resembled Tracy Chapman in her prime. Introspective lyrics, all about life’s little and not-so-little problems. Not soul music, but music for the soul and a set that was over too soon.
Upstairs we went to see and hear – boy were they loud (!) – Family of Noise. Surprisingly it was just two people producing this chunk of sound. The bass player wore a glove on his fretting hand, perhaps for affect or out of necessity and thrummed away on powerful leads. The guitarist to his left played a drony effects-laden guitar. Their backing track had a heavy sound– straight but strong drumbeats. Yes, the overall sound was a humming fervour, but there were carefully manoeuvred rhythmic changes amongst the distorted riffs, and a groovy chug to bob your head along to.
I have heard a considerable amount of praise for songstress JJ Lovegrove, so I had high expectations for her set. She calmly and confidently delivered a solo performance of ruminative, otherworldly tales, her haunting vocals floating above the synth-textured layers. Her sound called to mind the eccentricities of Kate Bush, but she really had her own complete thing going. The audience was treated to 3 new songs – she was due back in the studio the next morning to continue work on her upcoming EP.
JJ had a lot of love for the audience and had words of support for other musicians like her, trying to do their spiritual thing in a tough old world. She also invited everyone to her New EP Thank You Party at Firebug on Friday 12 September, where she will be debuting songs off the new record, and which will feature collaborative performances from local peers, and most importantly, to sweeten the deal, there was an offer of cake for attendees. Yes, you heard it here first folks, free cake at the JJ Lovegrove New EP Launch Party. But a seriously great set from JJ, it really was captivating and took you to another place.
At Duffy’s the 3-piece Mr Plow played with rockabilly swagger and a country twang, vocals delivered in deadpan with lyrics about Jesus – including ‘Jesus Loves Monster Trucks’ – and the Devil. They shifted between playful, dark, upbeat and back to doom seamlessly and Radio 6 listeners may have heard bassist, Alberto Scopster, speaking with Radcliffe and Maconie bigging up Leicester and the all-day music bash that very morning.
Spitting Feathers at Firebug oozed surf-punk energy, rollicking through covers of well-known classics like Kim Wilde’s Kids in America and Tiffany’s I think we’re alone now all wrapped up in true Saturday night pub style party band.
A dash back to Duffy’s for Sally Hossack’s reflective dream folk. She played acoustically and sang, accompanied by a (more than) backing vocalist, Anita Lindley, who provided beautiful harmonies, deepening the character of the songs. The guitar was played with sufficient rhythm and dynamics to provide a compelling sound on it’s own. Highlights included The Horse – the live version very different to the alt / industrial / electronic version on the record, and the bright and sparse One for the City, for which the lyrics contained a simple request from a friend ‘will you move my shoes to the sun / I need them dry and I can’t ask no-one.’ This was followed by the slightly darker lines ‘I’ve been walking to places I used to score / down the London past the Chinese Store,’ namechecking our fair city. The room felt relaxed and the two musicians on stage simply played one wonderful song after another with ease and sincerity.
There was so much music to see and hear, one must also say hello to friendly faces, buy beer, perhaps snaffle falafel and olives, or any other tasty little snacks on the Firebug food menu, dash back to Firebug downstairs for Lex Pretorius and her vastly impressive vocal range over acoustic guitar. The delivery was melodic, and the lyrics were cool and casual, as if speaking to a friend. The emotional vocal stylings demanded attention, a soulful bellow and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would sound like with a 3-piece band behind her to round out the sound.
We could only experience a few moments of A Kick in the Bits after climbing the always surprising number of stairs to Upstairs Firebug Stage, but in that short time, true to their name, they played loud, brash, in-your-face punky tunes, with occasional trombone from the vocalist and persistently popping snare punctuating from an additional percussionist.
But Kenton Hall was a-calling from Duffy’s so back down the many stairs and street we went, to see, not just Mr Hall but also the substantial backing band The Necessary Measures. It was fitting to see such a big band backing such a big personality, including steady drummer Mark Haynes who on this very stage only a couple hours ago was playing with Mr Plow.
Much seems to be happening in the world of Kenton Hall – the frontman, Canadian singer songwriter, has been hard at work at a forthcoming album, and by the sounds of things, we are likely to be seeing more from this particular live outfit in the near future. Songs were played from Kenton’s large catalogue, including a song from an earlier band of his by the name of Ist. The Station was, as promised, filled with railway puns, making you smile every time you heard one. The nuance of the song was really enhanced by the melodic keyboard playing and slightly shouty backing vocals. I had seen a lot of solid songwriters by this time in the day, but it was a joy to watch this one backed by drums, bass, guitar and keys, grooving along.
I’m sure the last songs of the set were just as good, but I found myself passing the MIL baton to Trev and scurrying back to my last train home, short of breath and glad for the day. My highlights were the timeless and emotive JJ Lovegrove and the organic and effortless Sally Hossack with a special mention for the delightfully outlandish Mr Plow. Thanks everyone for having me!
Trevor adds:
Shallowdrown played downstairs at Firebug. A remarkably creative Leicester-based band who act as to parody the genres they were emulating. Over-the-top and flamboyant, the musicians provided an entertaining set fronted by their lead singer, whose voice was very audible.
9 O’clock Nasty were not in fact nasty but actually quite enjoyable. It took me a while to figure out what they were about but I think I got it, in the end. The three musicians’ extraordinary appearance and shouty rap-like vocals were crazy stuff but the room was full and the audience clearly enjoying what they were hearing. The crowd stayed and applauded enthusiastically so they must have thought it was good. That was at Duffy’s bar.
Andrea Kenny was on stage at Firebug. One of Leicester’s most celebrated singers, Andrea gave another superb performance. Having reviewed one of her gigs recently (read the review here), at Duffy’s bar, is was good to see her again.
‘Saur took to the stage at Duffy’s Bar. Someone explained to me what the odd name meant. As in ‘dinosaur.’ The four-piece band had three vocalists. I thought it was like what I call ‘shouty metal’. People liked it because the room quickly filled up as they began to play. Heavy punk rock it certainly gave us some volcanic sounds.
The Whiskey Rebellion, a band I know well and have enjoyed many times before, were on stage at Firebug. The same group as musicians, as before, as far as I could see and the same highly infectious songs. More my cup of tea, I thought. It appears this band has not played together for some time, so I was told. Seven musicians were on stage, including the violinist (Ciaran Danaher) and one playing the mandolin. Folksy tunes with an Irish brogue and gypsy flavours. Energetic and vibrant, with captivating melodies, gave us all a very enjoyable set.
New Age Grace were at Duffy’s. Strong vocals with plenty of fire in the music and rhythms to get those feet moving. A creative set of musical ideas not bowing to conventionality, this was a set laden with invention and great ideas.
What a day that was! It just goes to show what a great place Leicester is for live music.
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