Drugstore Cowboys/Bo'Weevil Brothers/Craig Short & the Echoes

DRUGSTORE COWBOYS/BO'WEEVIL BROTHERS/CRAIG SHAW & THE ECHOES

IAC 15th August 2025

When this gig was first announced at International Arts Centre it looked like a real cracker... and so it was.. the return of the Bo'Weevils and Drugstores with a bonus of Craig Shaw and the Excellos

First up were the superb 'The Bo'weevil brothers who hadn't played in Leicester for far too long, so it was great to see them back... and they were in scintillating form... driving rocking blues delivered with massive energy, drive and outrageous ability... Al seems to play more bass than harp lately, but whichever he is playing it is powerful and driving, and his fabulous gravelly voice remains perfect for the music... across the stage Nick Hough plays guitar... that is some undrestatement... Nick's playing is exceptional at all times... driving, so creative and wonderful to hear... especially on slide work... at the back Jimmy Bo'weevil is a man of so many talents.. playing superb drums as well as high class harp and singing brilliantly.

The band included a fair few new songs, to my ears, but all delivered the the same Bo'Weevil energy and aplomb... absolutely superb rocking set to open the evening...

Next up was Craig Shaw and the Excelos, including Nick Whitmore on upright bass. A new band to me and difficult to follow the previous act but they did it in fine style... bluesy, rocking and playing with energy, joy and some real attitude... Nicks powerful bass reverberating through the floor and some superb guitar work and powerful drumming forming a powerful framework for Craigs' high class vocals, guitar and harp... this band rocked superbly and were far more than " the third band" on the gig... they delivered a powerful and exciting set, but for me, probably erred by playing maybe 10 minutes longer than i would have liked... maybe just anxious to hear the Drugstores!

So finally, around 1030 the wonderful Drugstore cowboys kicked off... Sam French playing outstanding slap bass and Nick Bott drumming to perfection... up front the irrepressible Nick Whitfield

playing guitar and singing superbly in the way only he can... The Drugstores are the best party band in the land, and they proved it again last night with another varied, exciting and outstanding show... it is impossible to anticipate what the set list will include, Nick seems to have an inexhaustible repertoire of songs by artists both familiar and obscure and delivers them all with outstanding energy, style and joy... in his inimitable way.

In typical fashion Nick announced that they were near the end of the set several times, but there was no end in view as the band rocked there joyful way through more songs... but all good things come to an end... and eventually out came the latex horse mask for the regular closer, "Champion the Wonderhorse"... where one punter volunteered to take the mask and prance with the band... maybe the closer, but was followed by a wildly rocking dip into the Johnny Kidd & the Pirates songbook to bring a terrific evening to a close in magnificent rocking style...

Beyond the Music, it was wonderful to feel a big slice of the old Donkey in the room... catching up with so many friends and familiar faces from the sadly missed days of the Donkey... maybe the best atmosphere i've felt in the International and it really makes you realise have much we have lost with the Donkey...

Huge thanks to Nick for putting this superb night on and to all three bands for three superb rocking sets... lets hope for more of the same, as well as another Cramps night!!

keep music live... keep music real.. support your local venues and bands.... 

Unravelling Wilburys

UNRAVELLING WILBURYS

IAC 13TH August 2025

Last night was the night that the legendary The Unravelling Wilburys - the Wilbury Brothers (Sticky Willy, Walter, Blind Melon, Thumper and cousin Rev Honky Tonk - who'd joined from Australia thinking he was joing the Unravelling Wallabies, made their return to Leicester at the Internatianal Arts Centre.

The story goes they were playing their songs in a Nashville bar when Jeff Lynne went in,, liked what he heard and called Bob, Roy, George and Tom to come... they loved what they heard... nicked the songs and went on to fame and fortune leaving the brothers behind!!

But onto the gig... the band play a host of familar Travelling Wilbury pieces, including the likes of "End of the Line" "Handle me with Care" "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" among others as well as a raft of songs from the solo careers of the Travelling Wilbury Members... the highlights for me being Tom Petty's "Refugees", Dylans "Like a Rolling Stone" which starts the second half as a solo acoustic before the rest of the band appear to really rock it up and Orbisons "Pretty Woman" and Harrisons "Here Comes the Sun" but the band do really quality versions of all of the diverse material... sadly once again Eric Clapton hadn't shown up to play on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", but Blind Melon made a fine job of it in his place.

Musically the band are quality... not only singing and playing in the styles of the originals, but doing it extremely well...

The Wilbury Brothers theme continues through the show, with great humour and fun and the band deliver a hugely enjoyable two hour plus show... if you havent seen them... go see them when you can.

To introduce a note of controversy... i wish the band wouldn't encore with Mr Blue Sky, and song that i have never liked... mind you, i prefer it to Bryan Ferry's version "Hard Rain"... but to be fair the band deliver both extremely well!!

Great concert.... thoroughly enjoyable great evening.

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venue and artists

Dust'n'Debris

DUST'N'BEBRIS

Donkey Garden 10th August 2025

Only second visit of the year, and first to the Donkey Garden for a Sunday evening gig with the excellent DUST'N'DEBRIS.

Always worth seeing and hearing Dust'n'Debris gave us little short of two hours of country, americana, blues, bluegrass, louisiana two step and a host of old timey american music.

Kicking off with the up tempo "Wagon Wheel", "Dooley" and "Rocky Mountain Belle" the band took us through the whole range of Americana... ending with their only traditional english song.. "Honky Tonk Woman"

The band are musically superb and always play with energy and passion and appear to love every moment... something that transmits clearly to the audience.

Suffice it to say that the band were on top form, played a terrific massively enjoyable show... a lovely way to pass a lovely summer evening...

Excellent band... great performance and a delightful evening

I do have to say though, that although the garden is a great place to watch a band, this is not the Donkey I know and love... it is cold and clinical and has none of the warmth and vibe of previous years

keep music live... keep music real... support your local artists and venues

Ridge Banks & the Wall of Sound/Wild Daisy & the Blackhearts

RIDGE BANKS & WALL OF SOUND/WILD DAISY & THE BLACKHEARTS

Metal Monocle 10th August 2025

My first visit to the The Metal Monocle to see the next leg of the Ridge Banks tour... first impression was it was great to walk into such a friendly warm venue with a vibe close to the Donkey as it used to be... and to catch up with old friends...

So... what of the music a week on from the previous one... First up were Wild Daisy & The Black Hearts a great southern rock band with their own personality writ large on it... and they delivered another terrific set. Solid drum and bass providing a superb basis for the band.. crisp rocking drums and a pounding bass while the guitar players rock out in great style... i particulary love the sound of the lap steel where it is used... the two musicians playing together and meshing beautifully... it is no surprise that they have been friends for a couple of decades as the interweaving is almost telepathic... up front the fabulous Hannah Adams is the perfect front person.. .a fabulous singer and performer making the band rivetting both musically and visually... a band clearly having a ball playing together and it communicates readily with the audience... a great set... totally loved it!!

Next up was Ridge Banks Wall of Sound... their debut last week was hampered by poor sound for a large part of the show but no such issues this week as, as with the Blackhearts, the sound was excellent and we got to hear the real quality of Ridge's voice and singing... and indeed the quality of the songs.

The band have been together on the same continent for only a couple of weeks and only had 8 hours rehearsal... but never the less they delivered a great set.. though I personally would encourage Sean to get closer into the mic at times as he is a superb musician and should be heard on full volume!!

The Wall of Sound are a great band, featuring some well known local musicians.. .Nick Plews on bass and Mark Haynes on drums providing a quality rhythm section as well as Sean Clutterham on hamonica and Harris Nixon on guitar... each a fine musician who have contributed much to the local scene... and form a perfect vehicle to highlight Ridge on Acoustic and Vocals.

Ridge has a great and expressive voice and delivers his songs with real assurance and qualiy and a warm open personality that shines through

As an added joy on this occasion we had a guest appearace by Elaine (Dust'n'Debris) adding lovely violin to one number.

I throughly enjoyed the set again but this is a new band still bedding in together... and judging by the improvement on last week i can see them getting tighter and stronger as they continue to play... an exciting prospect to think how great they can be!.. .clearly a band who are close in friendship and musical direction they generate a wonderfully warm presence on (and off) stage.

Two bands tonight.. .both with a hugely warm close presence and delivering quality sets... a wonderful warm and friendly evening... great venue... great music... great friendships... what more do you want?

Looking forward to the next couple of their shows i'll be going to!!

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local bands and artists