A busy week this week with three gigs in five days. Night two at the renamed venue PowerHaus in Camden. Not much has changed inside, a lick of paint that’s about it but it seems bigger and the stage appears wider too but maybe that’s just an optical illusion. It’s a sparse crowd which may also give the impression of a bigger venue. What the crowd lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in noise. The Ferris & Sylvester uber fans were out in force tonight singing every word of all of the songs on their debut album and tracks from before. Which was just as well as the thought the sound was a little blurry if that’s such a sonic term.
Despite Wikipedia describing them as a folk band whats clear is that they are more than that and at heart possibly a blues band. Archie Sylvester on vocals and guitar certainly has some good licks and Issy Ferris provides lead vocals and bass with the occasional foray with an acoustic. They are supported tonight with drummer and an organist who really brings some Memphis soul to proceedings.
Obviously the set showcases their debut album released a couple of months ago, with a few oldies and newbies to boot. It’s certainly a feel good show and the connection between band and fans is obvious. One of the highlights for me was an oldie not on the album ‘Better in Yellow’ which certainly stirs the crowd to belt out the chorus almost drowning out the band.
A good night out with a solid if not spectacular show. It’s not a criticism but my view on where they are as a band. I would definitely go again and maybe the venue sound might be a little clearer next time around.
Keep on folking blues rockin’ y’all.