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
Darren Jones
Clare Atherton
Darren Jones playing at the Folklore Rooms
Reviews

Darren Jones Review

Nov 30, 2021
-
Posted by Jason Warner

Winter is most definitely here. Stepping off the freezing street and into the relaxed, welcoming warmth of the Folklore Rooms (upstairs at the Quadrant) sets the tone for what is to come. YDN station DJ and our host for the evening Gillian Fischer is a willing compere and as the room fills we’re away.

First up is Brighton singer-songwriter Claire Atherton. She’s accompanied on stage by her tremolo-addicted guitarist Lewis Pugh and what follows is a set of original songs and well chosen covers as Atherton showcases her not inconsiderable talents. Her sound is light, smooth and soulful and her vocal performance is flawless. Debut single ‘Background’ is a highlight and her cover of Corinne Bailey Rae’s ‘Put Your Records On’ showcases both genuine ability and an affinity with the source material. Although she’s possibly constrained by the relaxed, lounged-up stylings of this show, Atherton gives us brief hints of a more powerful performer which suggests that catching her on a larger stage could reveal an artist with a very big voice indeed.

Darren Jones arrives in town from Canvey Island via Southend-on-Sea. And judging by his set, quite a few other places too. Perched alone on a stool with his beat-up Spanish guitar, Jones and his loop pedals take us on a journey across the globe, from east coast England to West Coast USA, Mexico, Africa, the Caribbean and beyond. His voice is pure Americana; a gravelly, muscular delivery that sits perfectly over the genre-hopping guitar, self-generated samples, rhythms, basslines and beats. He has perfected the barfly blues approach of the ever-touring solo performer and he has an easy stage presence, warm humour and a sweet innocence that connects him quickly to his audience.

Jones’s virtuoso guitar playing is mariachi-tastic as he picks, plucks and strums his way through the evening and one suspects that old acoustic is his very best friend in the world. He finishes with a cover of Slim Harpo’s ‘Hip Shake’ and it is a song that perfectly captures his style; laconic and laid-back but with more than a little purpose.

Having been warmed right up by the twinkling lights, gentle hip shaking, foot tapping and hand clapping that tonight’s rather homely show has inspired, it makes staggering back out into the dark and icy November night a far more tolerable proposition.

The Folklore Rooms, Wednesday 24th November 2021

Nov 30, 2021
Email
Jason Warner
Having once been taught to breakdance by Universal Records I'm now a freelance photographer and writer. Brian Wilson and Dolly Parton are my celestial parents and although I am new to Brighton, I'm falling in love with this craziest of crazy towns!
← PREVIOUS POST
Christmassy things to do with kids in Brighton
NEXT POST →
Groan Ups Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • This Is The Modern World Exhibition
    Aug 5, 2022

    Paul Weller's sister has curated a unique exhibition of Jam and Style Council artefacts and memorabilia alongside a season of related gigs and events.

  • Yama Warashi performing at the Rosehill, Brighton
    Yama Warashi Review
    Jul 28, 2022

    Melting Vinyl presented Yama Warashi and Brighton's ChopChop for an oddly pleasing evening of sonic, organic, woven spells.

  • Love Supreme Festival 2022 Review
    Jul 6, 2022

    Love Supreme returned, bigger and better than ever. The sun shone and the music dazzled across a perfect weekend.

  • Slap Rash
    Ruinfest Review
    Jul 5, 2022

    Ruinfest brought together some of Brighton's best bands and a few killer out-of-towners for an intense all-dayer at the Hope & Ruin at the end of June.

  • Tears For Fears, Fri 22nd July
    Jul 5, 2022

    The 80s pop duo perform at Hove Cricket Ground to showcase their long-awaited new album alongside a run of classic hits.

  • Leon Bridges Review
    Jun 28, 2022

    The Texas-based soul singer brought his hits to Brighton and also introduced a future star with his opening act.

  • Waitress comes to Theatre Royal
    Jun 27, 2022

    Star of the show Chelsea Halfpenny talks us through the pop-infused pie-baking musical's time on the road ahead of its visit to the Theatre Royal.

  • Morrissey, Friday 14th October
    Jun 27, 2022

    Morrissey is back in Brighton with a new, as yet, unreleased album and a bulging back catalogue to round off a nine-day UK tour.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2021
Darren Jones Review - Brighton Source