Red Rum Club // THE Crescent, York
Red Rum Club are the real deal, both on record and live
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
This last week has been independent venue week, during which bands who may otherwise have played bigger venues,have played a variety of venue to support the independent venues that are the bedrock of music in this country.
Red Rum Club knew they’d played the Crescent before but they weren’t 100% sure when, relying on an audience member to tell them, but don’t get the wrong idea, they were clear they didn’t think they were too big to be there, quite the contrary they were really happy to be there to support the venue, the staff and the future of grass roots venues.
The support act was Cherryholt, a band I knew nothing about,so I made sure I got there to see them. Firstly, they made me feel old! They all looked about far too young to be on a stage. They peddle a band of indie rock with a strong nod to classic rock, a penchant for songs that morph quite significantly as they go on meant it was quite hard to pin them down, Their playing was excellent, and the lead singer showed signs of developing a real rapport with the crowd. I don’t know if it was nerves, but I think they got better as they went on and settled into it and the last few songs suggest they could be a force to be reckoned with quite quickly. I know they’re playing Sound City this year, go check them out.
This was not the first time I’ve seen Red Rum Club, I was also lucky enough to interview them a few years ago (they are genuinely lovely guys) but this last 12 months has been a massive step forward for them, signing to a major label, touring with a number of big acts and, and I won’t spoil this so you go see them if you can, they have a big trip plannedthis year.
What’s never been in doubt is their talent, both musically and in their songwriting but the world finally seems to be waking up to just how good they are. I suspect I will never see them in a venue this small again, but, as they are such a self-effacing band, who knows.
The Crescent (which is a brilliant venue if you’ve never been) billed them as Merseybeat Mariachi and that sums up their joyous, infectious brand of music. If you go to a Red Rum gig and don’t find yourself dancing and singing along (even if you don’t know the words) you might want to check you still have a pulse!
The gig at the Crescent was as good as I’ve seen them, it was an outstanding night. They were tight, the crowd were well up for it and the songs from new album, Buck, fitted seamlessly into the show. The only complaint I have was it was too short; I could have stayed for another hour happily! Highlights were new song American Nights and English Mornings, Vanilla and Would You Rather Be Lonely but to be fair there was no weak song, no point when my enjoyment level sank.
Red Rum Club are the real deal, both on record and live, go see them and listen to them, life is too short not to!
REVIEW BY: IAIN MCCLAY
