WORDS AND IMAGES BY WARREN MILLAR
“Dave McCabe’s Voice Was As Always On Top Form And Abi Harding’s Sax Playing Was Top Class”
Tonight on a nice warm and balmy night we are at Camp and Furnace, Liverpool to see part of the Liverpool International Music Festival. Tonight’s show curated by “EVOL”
Camp and Furnace is a unique kind of venue. Restaurant, bar, indoor festival site, music venue, pop-up event space which is situated in the popular Baltic Triangle district of Liverpool. Its one of many venues being used to host LIMF in 2022.
Due to other commitments on the day we were only able to catch the last few hours of an all day music extravaganza which kicked off at 2pm in the afternoon but managed to get the four top acts of the evening.
Even arriving at 5.30pm the crowd were plentiful and were not just enjoying the music inside but also the vibe that was coming from the outdoor seating areas.
First band we caught in the main area were “Big Joanie” a London based black feminist punk band formed in 2013. We had seen these before a few months ago at another Liverpool Venue and liked them a lot. Well tonight they didn’t disappoint either, if fact they were amazing, Gritty to the point punk and very together. These girls really do rock and were loved by the Liverpool crowd when they said during a gap between song that they absolutely love playing in Liverpool because of the sense of community and solidarity the Liverpool people have. If you haven’t already do check them out.
Next up are Wirral band “She Drew the Gun” who have made a big name for themselves having won “Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent” award in 2016. Fronted by singer/songwriter Louisa Roach their in ya face Psych Pop is a joy to listen to. Full on political lyrics and memorable tunes fill their set from start to finish and being from just over the water (as they say in Liverpool) they proved very popular indeed to the Camp and Furnace faithful.
Next up are a band that need no introduction in Liverpool (Or further afield for that matter)“Red Rum Club” These guys are one of my favourite bands to listen to live. They are so tight, so together and so in in tune with each other on stage that it’s a joy to listen to them. Francis Doran as well as having an exceptional voice is just a perfect front man. Joe Corby on trumpet adds a little flamenco style to all of their catchy tunes, many of which you end up humming way after their set is over. Everyone with out exception know the words to the songs which is testament to how much these guys are loved in Liverpool. “Red Rum Club” never let you down, stunning set tonight guys.
Topping the bill tonight we have “The Zutons” another band that all of Liverpool love. Formed back in 2001 in Liverpool these guys really do have a place in Liverpool music folklore and beyond. By now the place was rammed and very hot but this only added to the occasion as the band started up and the place went wild. Dave McCabe’s voice was as always on top form and Abi Harding’s sax playing was top class, again as always. Its such a joy being from (or at least very near) this city of music and seeing some of the best bands around from the area playing in the same venue on the same night. “The Zutons” smashed it tonight and after a hot sweaty night in Camp and Furnace everyone was ready for a nice cold beer or three. What a top night, nice one “EVOL”, “Liverpool International Music Festival” All the bands that played and of course the lovely gig goers from the City Of Music that is Liverpool.
The Zutons Set List
1/ Why Won’t You Give Me Your love
2/ Little Things
3/ Pauline
4/ Pressure Point
5/ Water
6/ You’ve Got A Friend
7/ Creepin’
8/ Don’t Ever Think
9/ Remember Me
10/ Valerie
11/ You Will You Won’t
FOLLOW THE ZUTONS
FOLLOW RED RUM CLUB
FOLLOW SHE DREW THE GUN
FOLLOW BIG JOANIE
Warren is a live music and festival photographer based in Cheshire and covers gigs/festivals mostly in the North West of England. He has been photographing live music for over 10 years and has covered major artists and festivals
