Mik Artistik's Ego Trip

Now I know what a treat we are in for tonight. For those of you who have not clapped eyes and ears on Mik Artistik on one of his many appearances at Glastonbury or in another field somewhere, then you really are missing out. This Beeston local has the most comical observational tunes I have heard, all sang / spoken in a broad Yorkshire twang (but understood by folks all over the country).

There is no support, just 2 hours of Mik and his band of excellent musicians Benson Walker on bass and Johnny Flockton on guitar. These two play great funky backing sounds to Mik's tunes, carrying on smiling away even when Mik goes off on one (which is just about every song!).



The atmosphere in this lovely venue is cosy. Candles sit on the tables and everyone is sat very close together. The venue itself is like a vegan café area at a boutique festival; serving delicious grub and hosting art in a building with windows for walls. The cosy feeling makes this gig quite special; Mik can get down with the crowd, some of which seem to have seen him before, others not.

'Rastafarian Wiring' starts off the songs, but the crowd are not ready to participate with a sing-a-long just yet. Mik proceeds to take the micky (ha ha) out of some late comers which loosens the rest of the crowd up a bit more. 44 years to live also raises a chuckle, as does Mik's comments about his sort microphone lead. My favourite 'Clampdown' is a reggae type beat with very witty observations about dog poo, new trainers and the resulting fouling fines. Genius.



'Dad Muscles' and 'Turning Into Dad' are two very different tunes, one about the muscles you develop as a Dad and the other about the inevitable… 'Looks like Me Mum' is a hilarious tune about a new love. 'Jimmy Saville Had My Album' (formally "has got my") is a lovely tune to a much loved Yorkshire hero.

I don't wanna give too much away about the tunes as I think you all need to check out Mik Artistik for yourselves. The content of other tracks though varies from guiding leaves stuck on windscreens to baby names to cheap timepieces from the market, all told with very comical lyrics and very catchy melodies. Plus Mik likes to wear his old painting shirt complete with a pocket full of straws...

FUTURE GIGS