Page 47 - 366091 LP246228 NE Volume Magazine (170mm x 245mm 52pp) September 2022

GIG REVIEW
GIG REVIEW
RICHARD DAWSON & CIRCLE
AT BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE – 12/07/2022
NE VOLUME RATING 
Taken out of his usual artistic context, there’s something both strangely familiar and harrowingly different about Geordie folk singer Richard Dawson tonight as he teams up with Finnish experimental rock act, Circle. Grounded in his traditional narrative themes (tonight, we get stories about 32,000-year-old seedlings and searches for the oldest tree on earth), it’s the sheer volume of electric drones and fierce guitar riffs that places Dawson in an almost entirely new sonic universe - yet what a universe, and what a natural place for Dawson to inhabit. Driven by a unique combination of folk songwriting, classic rock textures, and the most interesting performance art techniques, tonight is nothing if not a revelation for Circle and Dawson alike, with their styles welding together in a collection that produces far more than their considerable individual skills and talents. In terms of matching highbrow art themes with guttural, droney, sonic palates, you really are in Velvet Underground realms here. Outstanding. DAMIAN ROBINSON
THE SOAP GIRLS
AT TRILLIANS, NEWCASTLE – 03/08/2022
NE VOLUME RATING 
The Soap Girls became prolific during the lockdown era, with their regular live streaming shows a hit with their fanbase, ‘The SoapSuds’. Subsequently, the band played online approximately four times a week. There aren’t too many groups who could say that they performed over 400 shows for their fans via their various social media channels during that time. But what was most interesting was that the group chose to give these shows different themes, with some internationally themed whilst others were topical. However, with lockdown now in the rearview mirror, the South African sisters are back on the road once more. The band's current tour has taken them across the continent as well as around the UK. The Soap Girls will also make their live debut in both the USA and Japan before the year is out. It’s a commendable work ethic for sure. And having spent the last couple of years cooped up at home, who could blame them? The Soap Girls have become regular visitors to the North East in recent years, with the band no strangers to Trillians Rock Bar in Newcastle city centre. Subsequently, a large crowd is in attendance to witness
their return. The band's rapport with the locals is notable throughout, with the sisters delivering a constant stream of witty onstage banter and the pair bouncing off one another as well as the audience. Millie’s onstage bass poses made yoga look rock ‘n’ roll, whilst Mie’s smile is infectious as she dishes out fierce riffs on her Ibanez all night long like a true entertainer. This time the group is touring in support of their brand-new album, ‘In My Skin’. Of course, several tracks from the album featured in the show including set opener ‘Wasted’ as well as ‘Promise You’ and a fierce rendition of ‘Kill Breed’. Further highlights included old favourites such as ‘Original Sin’ and ‘Jonny Rotten’. The band took the crowd back to their early days too, playing tracks from their ‘Calls For Rebellion’ album, with an effervescent rendition of ‘Champagne Cocaine’, the latter being the perfect conclusion to an explosive evening of punk-tinged hard rock on Tyneside. To round up, if you weren’t at the show, shame on you. However, you can redeem yourself when The Soap Girls return to the region on Sunday 16th October at our own NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton. ADAM KENNEDY
GIG REVIEW
THE CHAPIN SISTERS
AT BASE CAMP, MIDDLESBROUGH – 27/07/2022
NE VOLUME RATING 
Hitting the road for the first time in more than a decade, The Chapin Sisters (featuring New Yorkers Lily and Abigail) brought their American sound straight from the USA to Middlesbrough. As part of a twelve-date tour in the UK, The Chapin Sisters, who are part of a musical dynasty, with a Grammy award-winning father and uncle, played a fascinating set including tracks from their most recent album, ‘Ferry Boat’. Talking about the challenges and delights of touring with young children, they asked the audience for places to visit in the North East in between gigs (Saltburn got a few nominations). The duo’s blend of Appalachian, folk, country and rock was a winner with the audience, with the venue also helping to create a chilled-out and family- friendly vibe. EMMA CHESWORTH
Adam Kennedy G I G R E V I E W S // N E V O L U M E M A G A Z I N E // 4 7