Laurie Wright. Lucca Mae, Sweet Unrest and Super Swamp Jellyfish

I had tickets for this show at the Electric Ballroom for a while. Laurie Wright was promoting it quite hard in days leading up to the gig, but apparently it was sold out. What they couldn't, it seems, manage was to co-ordinate doors open on the ticket (7pm) with the actual doors open (6pm), which had the advantage that I walked straight in, but the disadvantage that I missed the first act, Rudi. As he was a rap act I was less devastated that I missed hearing him than I was that I couldn't get place to stand on the barrier at the front.

First act I did see was the brilliantly named Super Swamp Jellyfish. Lead vocalist had a surprisingly sweet voice (I think I assume that a young guy with a shaven head will belt out punk), but nothing generally to excite

Second up were my favourites Sweet Unrest, at least now playing on a large stage with a large audience. Played a new song, and new intro, with Tom starting on guitar on his own. Was possibly the best performance I have seen by them.

At this point they were joined by an attractive young lady in the shortest sparkly skirt imaginable playing on violin

And Laurie Wright chipped in too.

Playing above Sweet Unrest on the bill was the utterly wonderful Lucca Mae. This young lady really should become a big star. Totally amazing voice, great looks, super sleek sound with her band. Just everything

And then headliner Laurie Wright. Now I had seen him on other bills before, just playing himself with his guitar. And I was non-plussed. So to be honest I was half thinking I would listen for a little while and then depart early. But I was soon won over. He was fantastic with a band, and Lucca Mae on backing vocals (and Leo Stewart whom I have also seen solo playing guitar). Totally engaging. Got the crowd truly hyped, proper mosh pit going.

The man has a back story to which he referred to a few times. He was a smackhead, but cleaned himself off drugs and was now playing to a 1500 crowd. And next year he is moving up to the even bigger Forum, so hope he fills that too. If I am around I will definitely go. More of this please

Lucca Mae and Leo Stewart

Laurie looking well dressed, and buttoned up. Which couldn't last as he must have been sweating buckets. Well one look at his glistening visage and matted hair tells you that

Leo Stewart

Obviously the jacket had to go to reveal well patterned shirt.

And then the shirt went too

Towards the end Laurie and band was supplemented by a couple of seasonal trumpeters 

And finally on came Rudi, the rapper lad that I had missed at the beginning

Gig went on until quarter past eleven, so  far from going early (as had to be in the office for 8:30 next morning) I stayed to the far from bitter end. Great show, great atmosphere, one of my favourite gigs of the year. And I bumped into guitarist from the Station and Troy Mitchell of the Mitchells in the audience, and saw a couple of guys from the Stereo Cupids in the mosh pit. Its a tight music scene.