Bronnie: Love letters and hate mail tour - London 13/03/22

13/03/22 - London

An extremely long 7 hour overnight coach trip got me into London to the O2 Academy 2 Islington, to watch Bronnie and supports play. Back to London after 3 weeks is always the best feeling ever. I see that city way more than I used to do.

The Venue

The O2 Academy 2 at Islington is such a lovely venue. Best part it is located right in the middle of Angel shopping centre, near a cinema and is well sheltered from the rain. Which helped so much as it did rain during the wait outside. I haven't been to this venue before but the loading in area for bands is on the ground floor, with the larger academy venue next door. The upper floor where this gig was situated, is smaller, but fits in so many people. However I didn't like the idea of paying £6.35 for an alcopop. But that's London and this is a gig blog not a blog about London's drink prices. Apart from that, this venue is one of my favourites. Perfectly situated, easy to find, accessible to all. A fantastic venue by O2.

Tristan Maxted

First up was the fabulous Tristan Maxted. Who is an absolute pleasure to just be around and to hear live. His set was again, like in Birmingham, the most amazing set that I have heard from him. We even got a taste of the fantastic single "Crystalline" as an acoustic version rather than with the backing track. Which is fantastic. I got to catch up with Tristan during the VIP and Meet and Greet sections of the show. Honestly just speak to him because he's a little darling and just a pleasure to hang out with. The 6 years of knowing him I have seen Tristan blossom from some lad in a band to the amazing solo artist he is today.
I love it when I get to see Tristan. From his voice to his personality, everything is perfect and I'm excited for what the future brings for this lad. I can't wait for more off him and hopefully get myself down to more live shows in the UK for him. He is going places!!!

Social Media: @Tristanmaxted

Danny Wright

Second artist to take to the stage was Danny Wright. I have known Danny for about 3 years now and he just brings it every single time. His performances have always been good but this one was fantastic. Danny is always bursting with energy when he performs and its always so nice to get to watch him enjoy himself and do what he loves. His set was a mix of covers and originals including a cover of the new single by Machine gun Kelly - Emo Girl. Danny doesn't just have an amazing voice and stage presence. He has a personality to match. He is funny and just so humble and just loves to talk!! It was nice to have a catch up as I haven't actually seen Danny since September 2021. He was also giving out posters and CDs to anyone who wanted one and I managed to grab myself a poster!!
Danny is an amazing lad and I can't wait to see the next steps for Danny. More shows are on the cards and more music and I am really excited for everything and to just be there giving all my support. Danny is doing so well and I am super proud of him. Well done Danny!!!

@Dannywrightuk

Mason Levi

The final support act of the day was Mason Levi. Mason has featured before in my posts and I have the pleasure to write another section for him again. Mason is enjoyed by many and makes all the girls weak at the knees!! But as a performer, Mason is just fantastic. Amazing voice, fantastic stage presence, and the best personality. I got to have a catch up with mason briefly before the show and afterwards. Being from the USA I don't get to see Mason that much. So every time he comes to the UK the time spent together is always so special. Again, his set was fantastic!! Which it always is. Mason got the crowd going in London and everyone had an amazing time seeing him live. His set had a mix of covers and original songs including a song from his old band A Summer High.
I really can't wait to see what's next for Mason. I can't wait to see him on the back end of Bronnie's tour and I can't wait to see what he has to bring in years to come.

Social media: @iammasonlevi

Bronnie

Last to take the stage was headliner Bronnie, with bandmates Peter Gebbie, Chris Mitchell and Mason Levi on bass for the tour.
Bronnie's set was fantastic. London went off!! Everyone in the crowd was having an amazing time singing dancing and even moshing!! Bronnie kept the crowd going with her amazing original tracks, playing fan favourites such as Skeletons and Jaded. She also sang an cover of Olivia Rodrigo's song Drivers License and had special guest Molly joining her on stage to sing an amazing duet. Molly also has a fantastic voice and is also an upcoming artist. I really hope I hear from her again in the future.
I got to speak with Bronnie in the meet and greet sections of the gig and also outside after the show. I always love chatting to Bronnie, her band and even manager Mark!! They're all so kind and just make the gigs and tours way more enjoyable. I am really excited for Bronnie's future. This girl is going to go places. She also has some shows over in the USA with Mason in June. I have had a few views in the states so if that's you, get out there and support her!! Roll on Manchester on Sunday!!!

Social media: @bronniemusic
@chrismdrums_
@petergebbie

Live a little louder music presents: Myriad & supports at The Fiddlers Elbow London

19/02/2022 - London

Saturday started very early. 6am wake up to leave at 7:30am for a train at 8am then a coach at 9am. Trains were replacement buses, of course, making the journey way longer. Stuck on the M1. Maccies breakfast at Roadchef. someone vomming on the bus seats. Travelling is the best!!!!! This gig however is the one gig I am most excited to write about. I just had the best time and everyone was so worth the 8 hour journey. Especially 2 bands in particular!!! This gig went off and also I got to witness my first proposal!!!! and of course, 5 bands to enjoy. I managed to leave with lots of presents and a feeling of actually being loved by bands and artists alike. I got setlists, guitar picks, and a drumstick. I feel special.

The Organiser

This is a section I haven't written before. But I feel like it needs to be done this time around. I'd like to first of all mention what a fantastic show Marty at Live a little louder music put on. Fantastically run and set up, really enjoyed myself and it was the best London show I've been to in a long time. Can't wait to attend and write about their shows more often. A fave in my books. If you get to see a show run by them please do!! It's worth it.

Social Media: @LALLouderMusic

The Venue

The Fiddlers Elbow is a venue I've been to a few times before. I have even helped at a few shows here!! I love this venue, it's small it's cosy and just so wonderful. It's iconic for a reason. It's easy to get to by bus or by tube and Camden market isn't too far away either. I can't wait to return in the future for more shows.

Claw Wilson

The first band on stage was a band called Claw Wilson. A band I've never heard of or seen before either. Would I see them again? Yes if they were at a show I was attending. They were really cool guys and I wish I had gotten to speak to them. They played a wicked set and despite not knowing many songs I still really enjoyed their set. With a bit of work, these lads are going to go off and become so popular. I can't wait to see that and I am looking forward to seeing what these guys do in the future. I wish them all the best of luck and I hope to see them at a show soon.

Rating: 7

Social Media: @claw_wilson

My Everest

Next up was My Everest. Can I just say how lovely and genuine these lads are!!! Their lead singer is a credit to that band and is actually just wonderful to speak to, even after a few rum and cokes. They really got everyone going on Saturday and played so well. I have nothing to fault about this band at all and YES!!! I would happily come to London to see them again. I hope they'll come up north for gigs as well because I will be at most of those. Their songs are pure bops and I love listening to them on Spotify!!! A fantastic band who will go far. I want to see these boys play arenas!!! Will I see them again? Of course! I wish them all the best of luck for the future and I can't wait to be there every step of the way. Gold bars included. I really hope people come out and see these guys they deserve all the love and support they can get.

Rating: 10!!

Social Media: @myeverestmusic

Mosaics

Next was a band called Mosaics. Another band who are now on my list of people to run around the UK for. They have an amazing sound and are fantastic live. Again, one of the nicest bands. I got to speak to a few of them and they're super sweet and just loved the fact I came from up north. They played a fab set and I couldn't resist rocking out and singing a few of their songs that I already knew. That's how I got gifted a setlist!!! Would I see them again? 100% yes. Support slots, headliners, I'll be there cheering these guys on. Amazing band!!! I wish them all the best for the future and I can't wait for the next gig. I think more 8-hour trips are on the cards.

Rating: 10!

Social Media: @mosaicsbanduk

Hollywood Eyes

Next was Hollywood Eyes. The return of the H.E!!!! It's one of the bands I originally came for. Played the best set I have ever heard from these guys. I mean all their sets are amazing but this one just hit differently. Not sure if it was because we were in London or anything, but it was fantastic. Playing all my favourite songs and just being the best group of guys I could ask for. These lads mean the world to me and they adore me as much as I adore them. Wherever they go. I'm there. Saturday was no different. I stayed with these guys most of the night and are kinda the reason how I got into soundcheck, which was nicer than sitting out in the cold for 2 and a half hours!! I can't wait to see these lads again. I have other blog posts from their headline gigs and I will be continuing to write about them for the foreseeable. They are quite frankly my entire world. Sorry other bands, you're all fab but not half as fab as these guys. The long journey in the cold and rain was really worth it to see these guys perform again and again. I will honestly never get bored of them. The future looks amazing for these guys!!!

Rating: 10!!!!!

Social media: @hollywoodeyesmusic

Myriad

The final band was the headliners Myriad. The second band I originally came for. They were so worth it too. Only David really knows me from this band because we speak loads in Instagram lives, but it was so good to see them live at last!!! I've been listening to them for a few months and it was only natural to come and see them in person in London. Their set was fantastic. They all played super well and so many people came to see them which I just loved. It's always nice to see everyone come and enjoy themselves. I will 100% be travelling all over the place to see these lads again they are so worth it. I need to also get down and see them play in their home city Southampton. I got given a setlist off them and got to speak to David and OJ after the gig, which was amazing. I can't wait to get to know this band even more and the future looks amazing for them. I can't wait to be there every step of the way. Congrats on the show guys. Excited for more like this one!!!

Rating: 10

Social Media: @myriadbandofficial

14/01/22 - Josh Brennan and supports @ the spice of life London.

Friday I took a really long 6 hour journey down to London for one of my first proper show of 2022. I wasn't sure even if this gig wasn't going to even go ahead as other gigs I had booked around this had been postponed. (covid sucks) I left my flat at 7:30am. Got a train to Manchester, jumped on a coach, and went. Met up with friends and checked into my hotel.

The venue:

The Spice Of Life is a fantastic little venue, with another basement venue setting with a restaurant over the top which we had to walk through. It is very cozy but the drinks are costly (£55 for 12 shots, defo not the same in Manchester) I went a bit mad because I forgot I was in London so spent far too much on drinks. But this is a gig review haha, I moan every time but sadly cannot change inflation. Apart from this, the venue is wicked. Also, you have to go through the backstage door to the ladies, great if you ask me as long as you don't get caught hehe.

SC Undercover:

Sam is a lovely little singer with an amazing personality, originally from Birmingham, he wowed the crowd and myself with original tracks and covers. He filled gaps in his set with really interesting stories and anecdotes about his life and his career in music. I think he was wonderful. He also came over to chat to us before and after his set before rushing back to Birmingham which is always so nice to see from any artist. He is also very humble and true to his roots. SC Undercover will go far and I hope we cross paths again in the future. A one to watch this year. I wish him all the best for the future.

Rating: 9/10

Social Media: @SCUndercover

Hayat Selim:

I have to admit I was pretty tipsy by this point and I spent more time being a social butterfly with the table next to me. But from what I heard, this artist has a fantastic voice and did some lovely singing in a very unique style that I don't normally hear when I'm out at gigs. She had a man on piano with her who played wonderfully. According to the lad we had on our table, he's a piano teacher, so if you're in London wanting lessons maybe try and look him up. (@brian.hughes91).
I would however love to see Hayat again if I could, maybe next time be a lot more sober so I can appreciate her more. I wish her all the best for the future. With a voice like she has she will go far. Her music sounded like it should be in movies!!!

Rating: 8/10

Social media: @hayatselimmusic.

Emma See:

Emma was next up on stage and I loved her performance. Originally from Denmark. She has a wonderful voice and is just stunning. she drew a crowd and people got up dancing to her original music. I managed to get to speak to Emma after her set and she is wonderful, so humble and just a really nice person in general. I would happily travel back to London to see her again, and again try to be so much more sober than I actually was! Emma is going to go far and I can't wait for what she brings this year. She's going to do so well. Best of luck Emma!!!

Rating 10/10

Social Media: @emmaseemusic

Hana Bushara:

Next up was Hana. She is a very talented singer who i forgot to film because I was having such a wonderful time listing to her set. She did a brilliant acoustic set which everyone really liked and she had people up on their feet with every song. I hope to see her again and really appreciate what she has to offer because she was so lovely and has a fab voice. I wish Hana all the best in the future and I can't wait to see her again. She is going to do really well this year, keep it up!!!

Rating: 8/10

Social Media: @hanabusharamusic

Josh Brennan:

The final artist up was Josh. Now call me biased when I write this but I went for Josh in the first place and this was his last show in the UK for a while as he is moving to newer pastures for a new life abroad. His set was fantastic as per usual and I actually got so worked up at the end I shed a tear. Well, it looked more like a river in the toilets apparently. oops 😐
Josh delivered a wicked set and I always love every show he does and I've enjoyed traveling to London each and every time to see him. Because well that's what supporters do. Even rapper RTise made an appearance!! Who is also fantastic. This gig was so much more special because he brought a backing band to perform with him too. This is what made this gig so different from any other, but every single gig is the best when Josh is there. The last 7 years have also been ace supporting my pal. No, I'm not leaving, this is only the beginning for Josh and I always have his intentions at heart and I know whatever he does in life is always for the best. I will always be here as his number 1 supporter and yes the wait is going to be way longer but passport renewals are soon. There could be the off chance I fancy a flight when covid is settled down more. Who knows.
I adore Josh with my heart and I can't wait for all the wonderful things he has to come. Enjoy your new life in Tel Aviv, and if you need anyone, I'm here.

Rating; Off the scale

Social media: @joshbrennanUK (name subject to change)

@rtiseofficial

Friday 5th November: Underground sound London with Georgia Carter and supports.

Friday was a bright and early start for a 6 hour trip down to London for the small gig put on by Underground Sound. I hadn't heard of Georgia before this gig. My intentions were to go and show some support for my good friend Josh Brennan.

My coach arrived in London and I went and checked into my second hotel for the night and headed to The Moustache Bar for my second show of the weekend. This venue is also in a basement setting but is fantastic. The stage is situated in the corner of the room with the toilets next door and the bar at the back of the room. Luckily I am not reviewing London's alcohol prices as they would be a definite 6, to say the least. As a true northerner at heart, the prices aren't as nice as I like in my home cities of Preston and Manchester. Another blog idea maybe? I think I'll stick to reviewing gigs.

The first singer onto the stage was a lassie named Sonia. Originally from the UK but has lived in the Netherlands for a few years, this was her first gig in the UK. I need to firstly comment on the fantastic vocals this girl has. I was blown away. Her style is so different from anything I have heard before. She is a new artist I had only just heard of at this show and she was fantastic, a talent that will go far and I hope one day we can cross paths again. I give Sonia 7/10.

The second artist onto the stage was a lovely girl called Chantelle. It was her very first gig and she honestly rocked the stage and blew the crowd away with her amazing vocals. She couldn't have been any older than 18 years old, and to have that talent at that age is phenomenal. I did make sure to thank her for an amazing performance at the end of the night and let her know how well she did because there's no way I could get up and sing in front of people and people you might not actually know. She did however gather a bit of a crowd who all seemed very supportive cheering her on throughout her set. Chantelle can also sing in acapella which is a fantastic skill to have. I rate Chantelle as an 8/10 for a first performance she did super and I hope to see her again in the future!!!

Third up was Naciya. A solo artist from London. The performance and vocals were fab but were unable to hear much from her voice as the mic wasn't up to its fullest. Also another new artist I had just found through this show and I think she's brilliant and will go far but isn't totally for me. I don't think id go and see her again personally but if she was at another show I was attending then I would show some support and hype. I give Naciya a 6/10.

Charlie Fisher

 Next up was Charlie Fisher. A Singer from Scotland. Now Charlie blew me AWAY!!! They are fantastic. Talented isn't the word for Charlie I was left speechless after their set. I even got to speak to Charlie after they sang and bagged a photo because I needed something to bring back. I would 100% travel to Scotland, London anywhere to see Charlie again. They're a little darling. Super sweet and their whole performance was insane. I think if the stage was bigger they could have easily had a few backing dancers on stage with them too. The pop vibe is really needed and with Charlie's music you can really get up and have dance whether you know the songs word for word or not. Charlie has several social media accounts and also has music uploaded onto Spotify and other streaming sites for listening pleasure. I am giving Charlie a 10/10 a must-see and a one to watch on the music scene. I would love to see Charlie do a few shows down Manchester's Canal Street and at a few Pride events in the summer.

Next on was a lovely little singer called Yasmin. Vocals again were fantastic but I really don't think I'd go to a show just for her. But again if she was performing at a venue I was attending then I would watch have a sing-along and a dance but that would be about it. I am giving Yasmin a 6/10. She is fantastic but isn't for me. Which is okay. Everyone has preferences and I hope some of my readers will go and check her out and show some support.

Next up was the amazing Billy Carr. She is a transgender artist and all her songs are based on how she has had to face situations during her life transitioning into the lovely young woman she is today. Billy is a fantastic singer and performer. Her music really reflects how some people could be feeling at any point in their lives. As a member of the LGBT community myself I really related to some of her original music. I am giving Billy a 9/10. She is wonderful and an inspiration to us all and I hope she goes far in her career and I would love to come back to London and see her again if I ever got the chance to do so.

Josh Brennan

Next to take to the stage was Josh Brennan. Now I might be a tad biased writing this review as Josh is a good mate of mine and I am very fond of him and I back his singing career to the max. Josh was the one I specifically traveled to the show for but decided to sit in from 6pm to hear all the other artists as well and enjoy the entire night rather than just one of the singers on that night.

Josh performed amazingly well, like he always does, belting out new songs, old songs, and a few covers. He even got rapper Westside Gravy from the USA up on stage to perform 2 songs together which highlighted their lives and their own heritage as part of the Jewish community. For this, I am super proud of Josh for embracing who he truly is and showing everyone this new side which I absolutely love and I hope readers can also appreciate this lad as much as I do. His new content is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoyed hearing it and belting out the songs I knew word for word. I am giving Josh a full 10/10. He's going so far and doing so well. And I couldn't be prouder watching his growth and I cannot wait for what things in the future hold. Well done mate.

Finally, the last singer to take the stage was a wonderful lady named Georgia Carter. I actually had the chance to speak to Georgia and her family whilst watching the other artists perform before heading up to the front to watch Josh perform. I remained at the front of the stage to watch Georgia. Her voice and her own original music are absolutely fantastic. I was again blown away. She doesn't just sing either. She produces music for others. Her stage presence is fantastic. This was a perfect little headline show for her. And the love and support her family give her is fantastic. She attracts crowds and really knows how to put on a show. I am very impressed with Georgia and I will 100% be off to see her again one day. I am giving Georgia a 10/10 for a fantastic show and a brilliant end to a perfect evening. Can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

In all this gig was fantastic and a great starter gig for some of the artists who wanted to gig and show off their talents just after the effects of covid-19 and I can't wait to hear some of these names again in years to come.

Artist profiles (source: Instagram. Not all are listed due to not being able to find everyone)

• @soniaelisheva
• @naciya.x
• @charlief.music
• @yasminshawmusic
• @billyivycarr
• @joshbrennanuk
• @georgia.e.carter