Northeast Music Guide

Last Night I Dreamt I Had A Job Newcastle Loves Blancmange!  Even before we got to the Cluny building the penetrating bass of the music of Finlay Shakespeare greeted us from across the car park. This was loud: a loudness I hadn't experience maybe since Amphifest in Cologne. Some of Finlay's music would have been at home there. The intensity of his lyrics and vocals, the complexity of the beats, bass and his skills on the electronic bits and bobs (there was something suspiciously big and analogue in the centre) were mightily impressive. I felt this was a fitting support for Blancmange and I look forward to seeing him again.  Blancmange took to the stage in a very well-attended Cluny 1 venue. It's obvious the current lineup enjoy playing together and Neil Arthur made it obvious he enjoyed the Newcastle banter between songs. He's such a warm jovial, likeable guy on stage when he's not singing, and yet so intensely focused when performing. I enjoyed Blan...

Review: Blancmange at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle A suitable support act for Blancmange came in the form of electro pop trio Transfigure. First on stage were guitarist Alex Greenup and Lewis Norvid on synths with minimal electro beats and simple riffs, until joined on stage by Grace Blamire who added ethereal vocals enhanced by the church-like acoustics of the boiler shop interior. As a trio they work perfectly with upbeat electro with a dark edge not common here but with a following on the continent. I was reminded of electro pop band Parralox and also another local band who made it big, Dubstar. We felt this band would be very at home at a German festival like Amphifest.  Blancmange started their set on the Abba cover The Day Before You Came which in my opinion is the better version as it is gentle, deep and pulls at the heartstrings even more. The band did not rest on their laurels, and went straight into the title track from their new album Unfurnished Rooms . ...