Mad Dog Mcrea / Sam Green & The Midnight Heist / Sound Of The Sirens

Phoenix, Exeter on Sat 14th Mar 2015

Tonight Exeter's Phoenix is busy, both live venues are being utilised tonight for sold out events. Upstairs in the Voodoo Lounge there's a show for the Vibraphonic festival by Jo Harman, however we're here to see three locally based acts topped by Mad Dog Mcrea who bring their blend of 'Irish 'music to Exeter to celebrate the arrival later this week of St Patrick's Day, as has now become traditional for them.

Ahead of their highly anticipated show we have a performance from duo Sound Of The Sirens. Local girls Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood have found themselves billed on BBC Introducing bills at festivals,and deliver well crafted tunes that can be easily imagined emanating from the speakers in fields this summer. 'All That I Could Find', 'Stars' and 'Together Alone' are songs that will stand the test of time. Expect big things form this pair who deliver a tightly woven set that's over before even they are expecting.

At least they have been able to perform their set unencumbered by a chatty audience. The next two acts find they have to play over an undercurrent of chatter that is off putting to those of us wanting to hear the music the acts are performing. How Exeter can attract decent live acts in the future - if this is the reception awaiting them? I just don't know? Why pay good money for an in demand sell out show just to talk about such disingenuous subjects as the rugby instead of actually listening to the performance!

Sam Green & The Midnight Heist are up next with some exceptional bluegrass slide guitar, and harmonica from singer and guitarist Sam Green well offset by the double bass plucking courtesy of Joe James, and tightly mixed with a fantastic percussive beat from drummer Matt Cooke. They're a three piece tonight (James Cameron appears to be missing) - that meld to form a much fuller sound the belies their numbers. Offering subject matter about the problems of a small town mentality and mixing it with a sumptuous blend of blues.

Great stuff, I wonder if the band aren't slightly put off by the chattering, and despite some flashes of brilliant musicianship the set dips slightly in the middle, as the audience refuse to pay attention to the ban working hard on stage. I'm shocked to hear afterwards they're even considering calling it a day, surely their well worked songs are in demand from a less ignorant audience!

If it's any consolation to James Cameron and company, the chatter doesn't let up during the headliner's set. Plymouth's high energy 'Irish folk' fusionists Mad Dog Mcrea released their 'Almost Home' album just 2 days before, and each time they announce a showcase of a new track from it, the crowd switch from sweaty dancing to talking mode. It's a real shame as new songs 'Heart Of Stone', 'You Can't Find Me', and the title track showcase a greater musical depth than their full kilter Irish jig music.

Perhaps a St Patrick's Day Celebration was not the best place to showcase these tracks as it's the old favourites of cracking free flowing Celtic groove and reel that have everyone bouncing. 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy', 'Black Fly', 'Devil's Cauldron', and 'Climb A Hill' are terrific crowd pleasers with the skills of Nicki Powell's fiddle, Dan Crimp's flute, and Podmore's banjo underpinning the stripy jumper wearing Michael Mathieson's vocals.

As Sam Green did a cover of Richard Thompson the band continue to showcase their musical proficiency with their cover of 'Beeswing' and invite a local spoon player from Shaldon to accompany them on new track 'You Can't Find Me' about being in the trenches in World War II.

Highlights of the show have to be closer 'Happy Bus' , 'Am I Drinking Enough', and their almost signature tune 'Bear Necessities'. Despite a total blank moment where 'Devil Went Down To Georgia' has a stilted start as everyone forgets the words the crowd are wholly forgiving and the whole auditorium is dancing to the tune of the fiddle by the end of another energetic set.

Tonight has been a great showcase of local talent, and all three acts will be surefire crowd pleasers at festivals this summer if this sold out show is anything to go by. A good warm up for the summer season.

article by: Scott Williams

photos by: Karen Williams

published: 16/03/2015 17:48



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