GRAVITY FESTIVAL
The Station, Cannock 19/10/2019 Part 2
Review by; Diane Davies
So after a short break, as I don’t want to miss any of the bands, it’s back up the stairs to The Station. 5 bands to go and so far it’s been a real success. Piles of people in attendance, some have travelled quite a distance as well. Nice to catch up with friends in-between performances and always a good crowd here in Cannock. The Sound and lighting is spot on and a man has re-filled the smoke machine, with whatever goes in to make smoke, fog fluid or whatever, so all ready to go.
WICKED STONE have been around since 2015 and have recently undergone changes in the band, bringing in 3 new members. I saw their first gig with the new line up, which was impressive and tonight it’s not long before I can confirm they have bedded in well. In 2017 the debut ‘Ain’t No Rest’ sent shockwaves through the media, it was so well received. Starting tonight with ’The End’ as you do, from the debut, Joe Hawx stands proud and reminds us how incredible Wicked Stone are. The guitars of Dave Winchester and Joe Davies, pull out all the stops on ’Set Me On Fire’ and ‘Couldn’t Take Anymore’ which is the first from the new EP ‘Devil In Me’. They have come back so strong, the Gravity crowd are loving this. ’Saviour’ has more majestic vocals and the drums of Olly Smith have to be credited at this point. The excellent ‘Hit It Or Quit It’ is followed by the new single ‘Unchained’ a true masterpiece of engineering, the new EP is a 5 track wonder. Leaving us on a high with ‘Another Round’ it’s clear why they are the favourites of so many.
Only having been together as COLLATERAL since 2016, the four guys from Kent are rapidly climbing the ladder of success. As quoted on their bio, ’Long, untamed hair, ripped jeans and cowboy boots’, sums up the image standing before us. Vocalist Angelo Tristan, heads straight in with the new single ‘Mr Big Shot’ from the forthcoming self titled album, due out in February. It is classy rock, melodic and easy on the ear, likened to Bon Jovi, the band offer us unashamedly loved up numbers. ‘Going With The Wind’ from the EP ‘4 Shots!’ is as smooth as silk, harmonies and gentle caressing. We hear more from the unreleased ‘Collateral’ before the up beat ballad ‘Midnight Queen’ and stronger rocker ‘Lullaby’. Besides having an awesome image, the band are so tight, Todd Winger is a talented guitarist and Jack Bentley-Smith on bass, balances the effectiveness on stage. Backing them on sticks, Ben Atkinson is not forgotten, he really is a sturdy and precise drummer. I have seen Collateral a few times and maybe last time here in Cannock, it was a slightly more gratifying performance, as they were the main support. But this takes nothing away from the guys, they always deliver 100% and you can’t help but love them.
See the band in February on the ‘Jared James Nichols’ tour and order your copy of the debut album now.
The BURNING CROWS have been a bit silent of late, they have been taking a well earned break. So it is with extreme pleasure to see them on the bill today. On at 9pm, the return of the Crows, in front of a packed room, warms the cockles as they say. Vocalist and guitarist Whippz, cruises through the set. It’s rock and blues and everything in-between, with their own brand of soulful and dirty edged, hooky grooves. ’Never Had it So Good’ was a stunning EP and in 2015 ‘Murder At The Gin House’ was one of the highlights of the year. Guitarist Lance Daniels is also excellent to watch and bassist Will Lockett comes through on more than one occasion to add some rawness. Simple and with no effort, they perform like a tight knit family, the set is amazingly good, like they haven’t been away at all. Stay with us guys, more shows soon, pretty please.
London based band DEAD MANS WHISKEY have swagger, no doubt about that. The vocals of Nico Rogers are scratchy and raspy, like a heavier Paul Rodgers and it’s his larynx that sets the band apart from a lot of their contemporaries. With a set made up from the debut album ‘Under The Gun’ we are in for an outstanding, 45 minutes or so. ‘Live Loud And Ready’ the slower ‘My Year’ and their debut single ‘This Fight’ which is so erotic with its low and laid bare chords, are played in quick succession. The new single ‘Last Train’ is thrown in next, it has a lovely rhythm and guitar strumming from Billy Kons and Elliott D’Alvarez. I really like ‘Hoe Street’ it has that old classic rock vibe and even more swagger. Another band that are wowing the audience, we have been so spoilt today. ‘Racing Bullet’ rocks us to a frenzied finish and the cheers carry all around the room. Superb band, that are so in demand, the Kiss Kruise follows soon, but you can catch them at WinterStorm on November 29th or Planet Rockstock on December 6th.
Last time I saw MASON HILL was up at Steelhouse 2018, in the mud. They are another crew that have taken time out to re-focus and there is a new album ‘Against The Wall’ due out pretty soon. They were impressive up the mountain, but after a year out they have returned with a purpose and from the beginning the atmosphere is electric. More mature, more confident and more professional than before, I have to praise Shaun Haynes and company for their choice of headliner. It’s 11pm and no one has left the room, after ’Survive’ they engulf us with an onslaught of new tracks and the single ‘Hold On’ that’s actually been out a while. Blimey, you just don’t want this to end. The title track ‘Against The Wall’ is more raunchy and Scott Taylors vocals are impeccable. I feel truly elated after that, guys don’t go away again.
So the end is now upon us, what a day, what a festival. Gravity you were awesome, not one band failed to deliver. Big congratulations to Shaun and KOL PROMOTIONS, ROCKPULSE, compere PETE K MALLY and THE STATION.
Bring on Gravity 2020.
5/5
