Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Blood Red Shoes - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Beach Riot - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Beach Riot - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Beach Riot - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Reviews

Blood Red Shoes Review

Dec 12, 2018
-
Posted by Paul Stewart

There is a palpable atmosphere at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar tonight: excitement that Brighton band Blood Red Shoes is back to play a retrospective set, coupled with regret that the club itself will soon close. Everyone seems aware that this might be the last time they’ll be heading down to the basement, with its black walls, padded girders, and a stage that has provided so much top-rate music over the last seven years.

 Four-piece support, Beach Riot, are local. They launch into a driving set of rock numbers that, at times, recall BRMC. Heavy riffs and tasty drumming propel each song along, while the three guitarists all take the mic, overlaying the relentless energy with melody. Maybe they’re not ploughing new ground, but when it’s this good, there’s no need. ‘Good To Know (That I’m Still On Your Mind)’, their latest single, is particularly strong.

Headliners Blood Red Shoes – Laura-Mary Carter on guitar and Steven Ansell on drums – were influenced by American underground garage and punk, before developing their own idiosyncratic noise pop, with its bouncing rhythms and catchy lyrics. The place is rammed by the time they hit the stage. Advertised as ‘Singles Night’, the gig was an instant sell out. Having confirmed they haven’t organised a night out for the unattached, the band rips into a playlist of old singles. The mixed audience reacts gleefully to each familiar intro. Tracks include ‘ADHD’, ‘Stitch Me Back’, ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea’, plus ‘Red River’, which they dedicate to Sticky Mike’s. There’s air-punching and chanted lyrics; the mosh pit is jumping.

Stories that Carter and Ansell had fallen out are belied by their onstage chemistry, although when Ansell dismisses Carter’s concern for the wellbeing of those in said mosh pit, she chides him with a reproachful “Oh, Steven” – which raises a laugh. After a fantastic trawl through their back catalogue, they bring two extra band members on stage – on keyboards and bass – to perform more recent material. ‘Eye To Eye’ is outstanding. Then, for the encore, it’s back to the two founder members and a blistering performance of ‘Colours Fade’.

Like Blood Red Shoes, we are also going to miss Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar. Last night showed exactly why it has become such a popular venue for bands and punters alike. Brighton’s music scene will be sadly diminished when that familiar red and green sign above the door is finally taken down. But what a fantastic gig to catch in its final days!

Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, Tuesday 11th December 2018
Words by Paul Stewart
Photos by Ashley Laurence

Dec 12, 2018
Email
Paul Stewart - Brighton Source - photo by JJ Waller
Paul Stewart
Paul Stewart is an author - mainly novels for kids - but his main love has always been live music. These days, the words that fill his head at gigs often turn into reviews for Brighton Source, the going-out bible for his favourite city anywhere, ever.
← PREVIOUS POST
Gaelynn Lea Review
NEXT POST →
Street Source No.28
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Jacob Collier, Thursday 16th June
    May 18, 2022

    The multi Grammy-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist brings his worldwide Djesse tour to Brighton.

  • The Great Escape 2022 Review (Fri)
    May 18, 2022

    More bands, more reviews. Friday's festival was a heady mix of Turkish techno, gothic indie, Japanese folk, jazz punk and grime metal.

  • Gregory Porter Review
    May 17, 2022

    Gregory Porter was back in town, ahead of his headline slot at Love Supreme, with an excellent, expanded band and a totally amazing opening act.

  • The Great Escape 2022 Review (Thur)
    May 16, 2022

    The Great Escape made a triumphant return with three days of musical mayhem across the city. Here's a round-up of two dozen acts we caught on Thursday.

  • To Be Men at Brighton Fringe
    May 11, 2022

    Highly rated Fintan Shevlin is back with 'To Be Men': taut physical theatre, original sounds and high tension in Tyrone. Brighton-based writer and performer.

  • When Shall We Three Meet Again
    May 9, 2022

    A cut down up-to-date Macbeth by Brighton's Suitcase Theatre performed by three women with guitar sounds. Exquisite contemporary drama, cosy venue.

  • Brighton Spiegeltent
    Must-see local theatre at the Fringe
    May 8, 2022

    This year's Brighton Fringe is teeming with local talent. Highlights include an ode to Woodstock, a radical history tour and the tale of a Brighton prostitute.

  • Betsy: Wisdom of a Brighton Whore
    Betsy: Wisdom of a Brighton Whore
    May 6, 2022

    A play of sex, seduction and survival in Brighton's 19th century underworld. A great piece of writing and storytelling, back for Brighton Fringe.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2021
Blood Red Shoes Review - Brighton Source