A trip to the Leadmill in Sheffield for the Reverend and the Makers Heatwave In the Cold North album launch show.
First up was Sam Scherdel and his excellent band with a stripped back semi acoustic set. No drums but an equally effective Cajon percussion replacement which helped set the right vibe. In tune with the evenings theme, Sam is a Sheffield lad and according to his social media the local answer to Bruce Springsteen. Now I’m sure there is a proverbial tongue in Sam’s cheek there, but that said there was a resemblance, he has a cracking voice. A great start to the night and judging by the crowds response we will see much more of him in the future.
Check out the latest single ‘Balloon’ on major streaming platforms an uplifting tune with Springsteen / Mumford and Sons sprinkles for sure.
So onto Reverend and the Makers, I recently reviewed the band following a show at the 02 Academy so was expecting a great night. I wasn’t disappointed the O2 show was superb but tonight was special for lots of reasons, a smaller sold out venue, an album launch and lots of promo pre-show. Frontman Jon McClure (AKA the Rev) was on top form, a Sheffield lad through to the core, with funny on stage banter and a rapport with the audience that most singers can only dream about. Highlight for me was ‘I can’t get too mashed tonight I manage our young un’s football team and we’ve got Brunsmere away tomorrow.’… you had to be there.. and from Yorkshire to truly appreciate…
So onto the show which was split into two halves, the first a full play through of the new album and the second in the Rev’s words was a set ‘full of bangers’
The band are all excellent I’ve said it before, great musicians, with notably tonight ‘Greeny’ standing in on drums from local legends Milburn. On that subject, Richard Hawley was in the crowd, amongst many other local musicians.
I posted on my own social media account after the show that this was one of those ‘I was there’ kind of nights, hard to actually describe in words how good, some things just have to be experienced I guess.
The evening finished on a high with the Rev taking to the streets outside the venue for a now legendary acoustic solo set.
Jon McClure is without doubt up there with the best of them, the bands history, back catalogue and an ability to roll with the times with great new material sets them apart. They are forever cemented in Sheffield musical folklore.
Check out (and buy) the new album, I haven’t got the space to review it here, but it’s a definite 10/10 (or a banger as the Rev would say..)
