Blood Red Shoes / The Cast of Cheers

Blood Red Shoes are a band that I have only recently become familiar with, I thought. Unforgivably I saw them at Summer Sundae festival last year and completely forgot. This wasn't, I might add, because they weren't any good but simply because my brain is a bit sieve like at the best of times. However, a friend got me listening to them and in particular their new album 'In Times to Voices and so no such excuses could be made.



Support came from the wonderful The Cast of Cheers who I had heard before on Radio 1 with Zane Lowe. From Dublin, the band are a bit of everything. They merged dance with rock and a hint of indie and before the first song was finished, the crowd had perked up. New single 'Animals' was the one song I knew and lead vocals from Conor Adam were loud, fast paced and rather lovely to say the least. I haven't been so surprised about a support act in a long time than I was with Cast of Cheers. Energetic, vibrant and a jumping jack for a bassist, what else could you need?

If their new album was anything to go by and having heard a handful of their older songs, I was actually rather excited for Blood Red Shoes. My self proclaimed pop roots felt a little out of place at a rock gig and so I attempted to turn my "quirkiness" into something a little less annoying and took my place in the photo pit. Blood Red Shoes are made up of Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter who took to the stage at 9pm for their set. The HMV Institute is a great venue. Split into three different rooms, the 'Library' played host to the band and while holding 600 people, it still remained intimate. The stage was empty apart from two televisions at the back to reflect their current album artwork, a nice touch. The duo work perfectly without feeling the need to 'bulk' out the songs or the stage with extra guitarists or a bassist. The combination of drums and one lone guitar created a simplicity which demonstrated the focus that the band have in constructing great songs and a great show. There is no reason for the band to over complicate something which they have got so perfect.



There is no compromises for Blood Red Shoes. They throw themselves completely into their music and whether it be in the title track 'In Time to Voices' or with the anthemic 'Lost Kids', Blood Red Shoes adapt quickly to find the perfect tone and volume. Carter and Ansell's vocals compliment each other and create an edge to their sound that many rock bands lack. By having that diversity of both a male and female vocal in a rock band, an extra level/depth was added onto their sound and it separates them from other rock acts.

Ansell's vocal range is ridiculously impressive while Carter's earthy and raw voice seems to come naturally. Blood Red Shoes sound is ambitious and it is easy to see that their energy has gone into creating something in which them, and their fans, can be proud of. Notable songs of the night were the recent single Cold', 'I Wish I Was Someone Better' and 'Down Here In The Dark'. While not a die hard fan, I could massively appreciate how the band have developed over the years with their music from now and back in 2008.

The one surprise of the night. The audience! A huge age range were at the gig from teenagers ready to dive straight into the mosh pit, to very clearly, a group of Dad's who knew every single lyric! Blood Red Shoes obviously have something which appeals to a lot of people and fairplay to them. It's not often that I could see myself at a rock gig with my Dad and neither of us would be out of place.

After seeing them at the HMV Institute, there is no way I can forget seeing them... again. No excuses from my end!

FUTURE GIGS