Review & Photography by Lindsay Smith for MPM
With the sun cracking the flags and streaming through the windows of the Patti, the second day of music kicked off with ANCHOR LANE. Dynamic, energetic, talented with smoking riffs and catchy songs.
The band have been around for a while and have gone from strength to strength developing stage presence and working the crowd. Recently supporting Ricky Warwick and the Fighting Hearts, their confidence seems to have grown since I saw them last, and I am expecting big things for these guys.
TRIBELESS an alternative rock band from South Wales, are a band that seem to have made an impact on the local music scene with Lydia’s expressive and enthralling performances enhancing the songs creating a memorable vibe and lasting impression.
One of my favourite live bands are THE HOWLING TIDES, their songs speak for themselves, it’s straight forward hard rock with blues undertones and an epic dose of melody thrown in for good measure.
Fresh off the road with Mr Warwick and Co, they are polished, professional and outstanding capturing the crowd with no escapees.
Rob’s vocals just get better and better, the power and the tone a perfect match for the gutsy guitar and thumping basslines.The guys are on a co-headline tour across the UK with Anchor Lane in May and honestly, it’s going to be fantastic based on their performance at Soundbay.
I pinched myself when I saw MATTI ALFONZETTI walk into the hall. I felt starstruck, I never thought I’d get to see Matti perform live, missing out years ago for various reasons but absolutely loving his voice. A true vocalist, in my list of all time greats he is right up there.
For those of you who don’t know the name, Jagged Edge and Red, White and Blues might help jog the memory. A brief acoustic set allowed Matti’s timeless voice to shine through, its never lost any of the tone or expression over the years and yes, I am blown away, covered in goosebumps and rooted to the spot.
You Don’t Love Me ’ has me transfixed but it’s a cover of ‘Don’t Believe a Word’ that gets me totally. Touring in May with a full band, it is not a man to miss seeing.
The Warner E Hodges band have been touring over the last few weeks and Soundbay were privileged to have them.
Southern rock’n’roll played loud! I was unable to catch their set but I know for certain I missed a rather epic band. I will make up for it and catch up with them on their tour which spans the length and breadth of the UK.
Macclesfield’s finest, THE VIRGINMARYS smash your ears with punk fused rock., crashing drums and fuzz filled riffs which give the band a distinctive sound.
Two guys, just the two of them, Ally and Danny; guitars, vocals and drums and my ears are retreating in defeat, no melodic tones here, total ear splitting, soul shattering rock and the audience loved it! ‘Bang Bang, Bang’ almost ripped the roof off.
There will be some aching hips and knees after this one – so much bouncing about, I’m sure the floor will never recover.
Expectations and anticipation peaks as Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ plays over the PA’s , revving up the crowd before RICKY WARWICK AND THE FIGHTING HEARTS tear into their set on the final night of a long tour as if it was the opening night with “Gunslinger’.
The energy that Ricky exudes is relentless. Playing songs from the new album ‘When Life Was Hard And Fast’ together with a smattering of Lizzy , Blackstar Riders and Almighty tracks, Ricky never ever fails to impress and entertain.
The band of Ben Christo, Jack Taylor and Richard Vernon clearly love playing the songs, Ricky seems to thrive on live performances and tonight is the epitome of just how good he is. Ricky Warwick , I salute you Sir, always amazing, always professional, always Fu$king awesome.
Welcome back to live music Swansea, you’ll have ringing ears for days!
Can the final day equal this? Or better it even? Check back soon to find out.
