Review: Love Live Music – The Next Generation at Wick RBLS
REVIEW
Love Live Music – The Next Generation.
Royal British Legion Scotland, Wick
Friday, March 4
After such a long period without live music, it was heartening to hear that Love Live Music would be hosting their second night of the year, focusing this time around on younger musicians.
And the young folks didn't disappoint, giving a wide range of great music from covers of early Beatles right up to today with a Forgetting The Future song.
First up was Fern Strachan who, after initial nerves, settled into her set and gave the audience a few surprises including The Real Thing's You To Me; a slow, smouldering version of The Zutons' Valerie as well as a soulful rendition of local band Forgetting the Future's recent single Lepricon.
Fern finished with a lively take on Amy Macdonald's This Is The Life.
Fern started learning piano at 7 years old and went on to sing in the Caithness and Sutherland choir when she was nine. A few years later she took up ukulele and then guitar. She's been singing and playing guitar for three years now. Being up there alone with a guitar in front of an audience can be intimidating but Fern took it all in her stride. Tonight was only her second solo performance, doing well at age 15.
LLM regular Kane Cameron ably stepped into the role of MC for the night. As well as introducing the acts, he played a few songs in between. He delivered a cracking version of The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon as well as covering Get Back and I Saw Her Standing There. Kane has an assured, strong voice which he uses to great effect. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing him in the future.
The second youngster on the night was Faith Charlton (vocals and guitar). She gave us fine covers of Radiohead's Creep and Cranberries song Zombie while Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day and a great version of Paulo Nutini's Pencil of Lead showed her versatility; the last one being a very tricky song for vocal timing.
At eight years old, Faith was already singing when she performed I'm Yours (Jason Mraz) at her aunt's wedding reception as well as busking in Edinburgh around the same time! By 11 she was performing at open mic sessions at the Tempest café. Faith taught herself uke before taking up guitar during lockdown. Now 16, she already sounds like a seasoned musician!
Rounding off the night, Bats Don't Walk hit the ground running. A young duo and sometimes trio (their guitarist couldn't make it tonight) exploded onto the stage with raw power and energy.
Covering material as diverse as Mollie Ralph's Traitor, Bad Guy by Billie Eillish and I Don't Know How But They Found Me's Choke, they gave a stunning performance. Their energetic set also included three original songs.
Having formed only three years ago, these talented multi instrumentalists with Gary Williamson on vocal, drums and guitar along with Erin Boniface singing, playing double neck ukulele as well as some mean drumming (stand aside Meg White!) played a really tight set. These bats weren't walking, they were flying.
Altogether a great night and I hope the LLM crew continue with events like this for the younger generation.
The next regular LLM night will be Friday, April 1, in the RBLS.
- Review by 'Curly Bones' McGhee