Thursday, 24 July 2025

Bellatones/TutTu Tango/Olly E/Jack Godsell

BELLATONES/TUTU TANGO/OLLY E/JACK GODSELL
Duffys 24th July 2025

I love these monthly evenings Luke puts on showcasing local talent (equally love the same events put on by Chris and Kevin)... it is truly amazing how many talented musicians there are around here!!

Thursday night show was a hugely varied and interesting line up... two new to me acts, one familiar name in a different guise and one very familiar name headlining...
So, first up was Jack Godsell... Jack plays heavy metal guitar over a backing track... but what a hell of a player he is!!... to use a phrase "he can play guitar just like a-ring a bell". Jack plays with huge enthusiasm, notes cascading from his guitar and his ability is simply awesome... his hair and beard, along with the superb metal guitar palying took me back to more innocent times... nothing wrong in that!... I must admit metal isn't my sort of genre, but i did enjoy the set, the enthusiasm and his total ability made it a fine set.


Next up was Olly E... I am more accustomed to seeing Olly E solo, but he fits into the band format with ease and style. A three piece rock band using a backing track, which was not intrusive and didnt deflect from the excellent live musicians, but added some nice fills and background. The playing of the whole band is crisp and tight and Olly has a great strong voice for rock music... and he and the band played with confidence and great authority... excellent set.

Next up was another totally new to me act, Tutu Tango... and I am not sure how to describe them... a duo with one member playing guitar and bass, the other playing keyboard, synth and laptop... and they played with a backing track including a female vocalist...
The music is electronics based and delivered very well... I believe this was their first gig for a year or so, and maybe that showed.. the music and electronics seemed very technically complex and i feel required the musicians full concentration... and that was maybe the problem for me... there was no room for connecting with the audience or any sign of animation... i was longing to see them actually have a vocalist on stage rather than on a backing track to give the music life.
I am sure the guys are talented at what they do... and did it very well... but this is just not for me... i'm sorry guys, i just didnt enjoy it at all.


Last up... the excellent Bellatones... also difficult to quantify, but a top notch band... a fairly traditional line up of drums/bass/guitar/keyboards but also featuring fiddle and flute/clarinet... giving a rich overall sound and raising them above the crowd in terms of individuality, and ability!... sadly as a 7-piece the keyboard player couldn't fit on the stage and set up on the floor by the side... yet this didnt in any way distract or detract.
The band are fine musicians and the fiddle player a fine lead vocalist while the flautist and guitarist add excellent second and backing vocals... I guess the music is poppy/rocky with the added spice of the fiddle and wind intruments... it merges into a great sound, especially when delivered with such great ability and vibrancy... absolutely loved the set and hope to see them again soon...
Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues and artists




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