Opening act where a new band who might have been making the live debut (but I am not 100% sure on that) called Danny Tacey and The Johnsons and they preceeded to make a fairly agreeable punky/indie noise to start things off. They were a little rough round the edges and with a bass player wearing a Ramones T-shirt that should give you a good idea of their sound, they are blessed with a front man with strong vocals and some interesting song ideas so keep a look out for yet another up and coming Hull band.

Second on stage where local favourites Turismo playing an acoustic laid back set which after the fairly firey full on band openers meant they suffered a little from a lack of energy in the music, I found their material a little flat at times in this context but one song stood out particulary as lending itself to an acoustic setting. I have no idea what it was called but I do recall the lyrics in the chorus where something along the lines of 'its ironic being in love with you' and if their set had included a few more songs as strong as this I would have enjoyed them more. It seems a bit churlish to be critising a band playing a charity gig and it is only a mild critism, I look forward to catching them at a gig with their more normal electric instrumentation.

The Bonnitts who played third are a band I have not had the chance of catching live before and after this gig it looks like I have missed out on some pretty decent shows. Musically they sounded very tight with quite an aggressive guitar driven sound, writing this a couple of days later I am struggling to describe their material any better as for most of their set I was fighting my way through the throng to the bar. The Bonnitts are another band to add to my must see again list as are the band who followed them, Blueside Circle.

By the time Blueside Circle started their set I had managed to move nearer the stage so could actually see most of the band rather than just hear what was going on and I am certainly glad I did as Blueside Circle where the highlight of the gig for me. Playing a blues inspired indie/rock'n'roll they seem to have something a little special, according to their section on the local BBC band directory they have been together for just a year but you would guess a lot longer from the assured performance. The tall lead singer swaggered about the stage with an air of confidence that was just the right side of cocky, the bass player filled out the sound with a good solid tone but also added some very interesting riffs into the mix to create a great groove with the drummer and the lead guitarist seemed to play just what was needed without being over the top.

Headline band of the evening where The Dirty Dreamers who I had seen about six months ago at the same venue and I was really looking forward to seeing how they had changed/progressed over that time, I was a little disappointed as even though they where very good and played a very intense set it did not sound much different to the one I had seen before. Musically they have hints of The Stones mixed in with a more contemporary guitar led sound and I feel they just need to find a little something to lift them even higher, from merely great to something exceptional, I think they also suffered from following on from Blueside Circle who really raised the bar performance wise.

All in all this was a great gig and every band should be commended for putting on excellent performances and giving their time for this worthy cause, Mark who organised the night deserves credit for having a great taste in bands and for supporting local music over the last couple of years at The Linett and for www.thisisull.co.uk who promoted and supported the gig. Anyone who did not realise how many great bands are on the scene in Hull before this night just needs to look at the line up and go and see any one of the bands to see some real quality.

I had seen The Favours live once before and was not overly impressed but recently I got the chance to hear their CD Magpie's Revenge which I really enjoyed so catching them playing this acoustic set was a great chance for me to have my mind changed, and change it they certainly did. Singer and guitarist Sarah and bassist Martin (playing acoustic guitar) made up The Favours tonight and their abrassive indie guitar rock transfered excellently to the acoustic format which was a very pleasant surprise. By the end of their set there was quite a crowd in the downstairs bar watching them and they received a warm response, by this point I had downed a few beers so most of the song titles elude me I certainly remember Faces from the CD being played and even though I might be a bit behind the times catching onto The Favours I will go out of my way to see them live again.

After watching The Favours I toddled off to the upstairs room in time to catch Bluesand who I have seen three or four time over the last twelve months and have always thought they just did not have it togther as a band, tonight with a more settled line up (previously they seemed to change a band member every month or two) and an excellent sound mix they seemed like a different band. They still have a liking for noisy almost Nirvana'ish guitar and thumping bass lines but just seemed a lot more confident in what they are playing.

The Landaus followed Bluesand and even though I am a big fan of the band tonight's set was possibly the best I have seen them play, over the last year they have evolved musically from a slightly jarring mix of Red Hot Chilli Peppers funk and heavy metal guitar riffs to a more 70's vibe and finally into their own particular sound with their last single What Ya Cryin For being a perfect example and killer live track. The band as a whole where bursting with energy but never let this overpower their playing and musically they where tight and spot on giving their material an extra dimension which seemed to go down well with the crowd.

Last band on where The Last People On Earth but alcohol, tiredness and the chance that I might only get four hours sleep if I watched them sent me home before they played which is a pity but I am sure I will catch them live sometime soon. As Part One earlier in the evening at the Linnet the gig was very well attended and all the acts and organisers should be applauded for making the evening such a success.

Review by Darren Bunting

www.thelastpeopleonearth.com
www.thefavours.co.uk