Shed Seven
Going For Gold?
Shed Seven at Rock City, Nottingham, December 2017
Words : Ian Hind / Images : Paul W. Dixon (TheZineUK/Bee-hind The Lens)
'Does anyone remember the 1990s?' Shed Seven's front man Rick Witter asked a packed Rock City in Nottingham. The unanimous cheer said it all. 'I f**king do!' was his reply.
The Sheds two-yearly tour has continued to gather momentum since they reformed in 2007 and ten years on they are back again. There was always going to become a point when surviving on 90's nostalgia alone wouldn't be enough for the five piece from York.
This time round they are hot off the heels of a well received new studio album 'Instant Pleasures' - their first in sixteen years.
Fellow Brit-pop legends Cast provided support. Also sporting brand new material there was a noticable verve to the band after periods of turbulence. Likeable foot stomper 'Do That' was perhaps the stand out new track, whilst 'Paper Chains' struggled to impress. But as the crowd swelled in anticipation of the Sheds, John Powers and the band lead us through 'Sandstorm', 'Fine Time' and the anthemic 'Walkaway'. It was great to see them having so much fun with these now classic tunes - indulging us in a galloping psychadellic breakdown during 'Free Me'. So that by the time an excited Rock City crowd had sung along to 'Alright' we were reminded just how good Cast can be.
And so to Shed Seven.
Kit unashamedely decked in Christmas lights and riding into the majestic fanfare of The Magnifcent Seven theme it was obvious Rick and the boys were here to have fun. Opening with brand new track 'Room in my house', instantly recognisible as classic Shed Seven melodies, the fans were already excited. After delivering 'Speakeasy', Rick checked in with crowd and mirthed 'Well we're f**cking back again!'.
Recent tours have seen the addition of a brass section which bolstered fan favourite, 'Where have you been tonight'. After some statistical banter about who has played Rock City more, Rick once again makes a humoured nod to the established "Shedcember" tours. Once he declares 'we better f**king crack on then' they lead effortlessly in 'High Hopes'.
Ricks voice has matured over time, and early tracks that used to gain comparisons to The Smiths now have a new growl. He gyrates through new track 'People talk' packed with a disco nod to The Nolans, before the bongo's come out for 'Dolphin'. The crowd are in fine singing voice for 'On standby' but Rick plays the comic once more reminding everyone ' you always come in too early'.
Spotting a young eleven year old fan in the crowd, he reminds her to take off her bobble hat so she 'feels the benefit later' before announcing she is the 'future of rock and roll' to a great roar.
But its not just Rick having all the fun, lead guitarist Paul Banks was on fine form as were the rest of the band - after 'Devil in my shoes' and 'She left me on Friday' they revelled in a triumphant Stone Roses inspired outro, with Leach punchy on the drums.
If any of the new tracks fell short 'Better days' attempts an anthemic vibe failed to completely deliver, but the lull was temporary as the Brass section returned for 'Disco down' - the crowd devouring Shed's pop classic. And burn down the disco they did as the gig was now at a maximum high. 'Bully boy' and 'Going for gold' left the crowd singing for more at what Rick called the 'fake farewell'. Cue for him to throw maraccas into the crowd
Encore. With the fans now at peak, they delivered one more new track 'Not Easy' to great reception. Two tracks left, they've done this enough times now to know how to end a show. Belting 'Getting better' an audience very much in the palm of their hands, it was upt o 'Chasing Rainbows' to bring a europhic end to the Sheds fantastic set. Continued to be chorused long after they had left the stage - a crowd still buzzing dispersing into the streets of Nottingham. Getting better all the time? I think they may just be right.
Comments