Tonight, I’m heading to The Cluny in Newcastle to see Skinny Lister, (separate review.) I like to arrive early at a venue to catch the support acts as it can be a rewarding experience. It offers a chance to discover new bands, often introducing me to fresh talent I might not have sought out otherwise. Experiencing a band’s performance without prior knowledge lets me form unbiased first impressions, which can leave a lasting impact. Many times, these discoveries have led me to become a fan and to support the bands as they play elsewhere. So tonight, I was looking forward to seeing and hearing Ben Brown and The Leylines.
5th Dec 24
Ben Brown
First up was Ben and his acoustic guitar set. Kicking off with a moment of forgetfulness, his guitar wasn’t plugged in! He quickly turned it into a hilarious icebreaker that had the audience laughing and focused on the stage. His ability to combine comedy with his well-crafted songs was impressive.
From witty banter between tracks, to infectious melodies and rich vocals, and his imitation of a kazoo (I think!) he had the crowd smiling and engaged throughout his set. His stage presence was chilled and laidback and effortless in a way that felt genuine and captivating. By the time his final song ended, he’d won everyone over, making it clear he wasn’t just a warm-up act but a talent worth following as he sang all the songs on his debut EP ‘Blue’
Ben Brown was the perfect start to the night as he thoroughly entertained and I would gladly see him perform again.
Go have a listen, download, and give him a follow on his socials.
Videos
Blue
Let Go
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/benbrownmusicofficial
https://www.instagram.com/benbrownstagram
The Leylines
Having never heard of this band before, I was looking forward to seeing what they bring to the night.
Taking to the small stage with confidence, bare-footed singer Steve, set a rhythmic foot stomping beat that immediately had the crowd cheering. From the first note, they had the audience eating out of their hands as their sound carried echoes of The Levellers, blending folk-inspired melodies with a vibrant energy that was utterly infectious. It was impossible not to tap along or join the crowd as they danced about.
I loved the addition of the violin played by Hannah, it added a rich dynamic layer to their sound, as it perfectly complemented the upbeat tempo to their songs. The interplay between the strings and the rhythmic thrum of the other instruments along with the vocals, created a celebratory atmosphere that spread throughout the venue.
As the set continued, you could feel the energy in the room swell, priming the audience for Skinny Lister. The Leylines hit the mark and earned a load of new fans, including myself. I feel I’m late to their party, but I am happy I’ve discovered a band that feels both fresh and familiar, and I’ll definitely be seeking them out again. I love ‘Sat in a Field’ and ‘My Own Worst Enemy,’ that come from their first album ‘Along the Old Straight Track,’ and with two albums to download, and a third out next year, you’d be mad not to have a listen.
Videos
Sat in a Field (live)
My Own Worst Enemy
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/theleylinesmusic
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