Sweet Unrest, L'Extravagante, Tom Scamell and All Looks at the Dublin Castle (and All Looks again at the Finsbury with Myah and Blue Jar

Another stellar evening at the Dublin Castle but without any stars. Yes of course a contradiction, but I saw at least three very talented acts that I enjoyed very much and who would grace a much bigger stage. And coming into the show there was only one that I had ever even heard of.

Opening were a five piece called All Looks, who although featuring very attractive female vocalists, were very far from being all looks. They could play and sing seriously well. And something different, having two female lead singers who sometimes sung in harmony, sometimes what I would call counterpoint. But they also popped off stage at one point and left the remaining band members to play an instrumental number, which they did very well. Also for once a properly diverse band, black female bassist, Asian guy on lead guitar. All just a very pleasing sound. And at  the end they announced that if anyone was keen they were playing the next night too at the Finsbury. I was in (as you will see from end of this blog entry)

The very pretty and very talented Tai

Next up was a "solo" singer songwriter Tom Scamell, but playing with a guitarist and drummer that he had met online. From Texas, they had just come over for a week to do some recording. And play this gig. I asked the guitarist if he was from Austin, Texas, and he replied "of course". Anything cool from Texas seems to come from Austin.

As a act, if honest, they were the least impressive of the night. Ok, but just nothing stood out to me about them.

Then L'Extravagante, who were truly extraordinary. Now I had come across the lead singer already, when I had popped out to the loo, because he was in the toilet rehearsing. And wow, did he have a good voice.

Not sure what the monkey mask was in aid of, but it soon came off.

As I say, the young man just had a superb voice, one of the best rock vocalists I have heard. And a terrific stage performance from this four piece too. Can't praise them highly enough. They should be playing arenas.

I asked the led singer where they were based, expecting a reply like "Paris". But no. Acton. I will be seeing them again if I can find them on another bill...

Then last up Sweet Unrest. I have reviewed them so many times that I don't have anything much more to say. Other than this was guitarist Leon's birthday.

Happy birthday Leon - yes as you can see I was standing under him effectively!

So that was my jolly good Friday night at the Dublin Castle. 

Next evening I made my way down Green Lanes to the Finsbury in time to catch opening act Myah. Another very strong female vocalist. I enjoyed her set.

Then All Looks again. The two girls on vocals actually recognised me from the night before (well I do stand at the front and I am rather older than most of the crowd) and sweetly thanked me for coming again to see them.

And it was a pleasure to see them perform again. Great voices, music is good, what's not to like?

Band left to do an instrumental on their own...

Finally headliners Blue Jar. Again new to me, again a pleasant surprise. Excellent keyboardist who was rightly centre stage, but another wonderful vocalist "Fi"