Ever been to a music gig? Want to go again? Want to know who is worth seeing?
Music gigs and festivals is a blog dedicated to telling you where and when the coolest bands are playing in NY and the UK. In addition to this I will also be sharing reviews about gigs and festivals I have attended which are definitely worth checking out.
David Gray is an English folk rocker singer/ songwriter that first hit the music scene in 1993. Since then he has released a number of albums including 'A Century Ends," "Flesh" and "Sell Sell Sell." Despite all these albums, Gray didn't become popular until 2000 when he broke into mainstream pop and released the album "White Ladder." White Ladder included many popular songs such as This Years Love, Babylon and Sail Away.
In 2002, David Gray released yet another album called "A New Day At Midnight" which went straight to number one in the UK album charts. After the success of this album Gray went on a three year hiatus, only to return in 2005 with the release of the album "Slow Motion."
If you like artists such as Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee and Counting Crows than this is a band for you. David gray not only has a fabulous voice, but the ability to simply pick up a guitar and belt out a flawless acoustic number. I have seen David Gray live and was very impressed. If you like gigs where you are guaranteed a solid performance with a chilled and mellow atmosphere, than this is for you.
Tour Dates:
6th March. Islington Assembly Hall - London, UK
I first posted about this guy in March when he was a complete newcomer to the music scene.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a singer-songwriter from York, UK who has, in the last six months, really began to make a name for himself. Benjamin released his debut album "The Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm" in July and has since gone on to receive a great deal of support and positive reviews.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich has particularly earned respect for his songwriting abilities and it is partly because of this that in my eyes Benjamin falls into the same category as Ben Howard and Ed Sheeran.
I first came across this artist when his video popped up as an advertisement on Google. Since then I have become quite the fan of his music - his soothing and gentle voice singing combined with his beautiful and meaningful lyrics makes him the perfect playlist choice for chilled out session of music. Although he is a solo artist, Benjamin Francis Leftwich not only relies upon his voice, but also on the accompaniment of a guitar.
Due to Leftwich being such a newcomer his shows are going to be nothing on performances by bands like Mumford & Sons or Ray Lamontagne, but I don't think that should be a reason to skip it. This quiet kid has confidence and a back bone - not many performers are willing/or able to stray from the mic and give an equally strong vocal performance without it than with it. Although his songs are soulful and he has a no fuss style - no gizmos or stunts - his vocal performance will certainly hold you captive and attentive. With this in mind it is clear why you shouldn't expect a raucous night of music, but rather allow yourself to be lost in the peaceful trance which he emits through his songs.
I would give this guy a chance. His sounds offer that perfect ingredient for that downtown music session when all you want to do is relax and chill out. Give him a try - I did!
Tour dates:
17th October. Birmingham Irish Centre - Birmingham
20th October. Nottingham Rescue Rooms - Nottingham
22nd October. The Brickyard - Carlisle
23rd October. Stanley Theatre - Liverpool
24th October. KOKO - London
25th October. HMV Ritz - Manchester
26th October. The Sugarmill - Stoke-on-Trent
