Nick Harper – The dynamics of a gig! – The Back Room Cottingham – The Set List.

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P1100778 (2) (Nick with a fan)

One of the major factors inputting together a good gig is to get the dynamics right and maintain the momentum. Some of this comes down to choice of songs, some the quality of musicianship and some the in between song banter.

The audience plays a big factor in this. If they are loud, enthusiastic and supportive they create the atmosphere.

Last night it all came together in a tsunami of brilliance.

This is that set-list that worked so well:

In our time

The Magnificent G&

Breathe

This is the Beginning

Simple

Treasure Island

Bood Song

Passing Chord

Shine on you Crazy Diamond

She Rules my World

Karmageddon

Love Junky

Purple Rain

There was a good balance between songs with beauty and feeling to songs with a message and power. The guitar from delicate to powerhouse. The voice between achingly lilting to unadulterated raw aggression.

The balance was right – it had it all!!

Nick Harper – Cottingham Backroom PHOTOS – Stunning gig!! Sell Out Crowd!!

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These are just a few snaps from an exceptional gig. Nick didn’t like them all but I thought they worked. It was a magic evening.

I did a lot of them in colour and Black and White. Which do you prefer?

I’m looking for a couple for the book. Any that you fancy?

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Nick Harper – Cottingham Backroom review – Stunning gig!! Sell Out Crowd!!

Posted on by Opher

P1100923 (2)

A packed room were treated to a stunning evening in the Back Room Cottingham. Nick was burning with brilliance and it all came together in a thriller. The crowd were roaring with approval.

The voice was absolutely perfect – right up into that higher register that he does so well. The guitar playing was also perfect, nimble finger-work picking out all those intricate runs, the heavy chord-work driving songs forward into paroxysms of excitement and unfettered power, the bending notes, tuning and harmonics creating a range of extraordinary embellishments and a choice of songs that created  such a dynamic set. This had it all.

I always enjoy Nick’s playing but this was something above the normal and out into the extraordinary. There were times when the power of his performance made him a one man punk band and others when the beauty of his songs created an ethereal beauty. the range was spectacular from lilting delicacy to strident raw energy.

Couple that with Nick’s personality, humour and wit and we were treated to a brilliant night. One of the best I have been too in a long, long while. the dynamic was superb and the whole momentum really chugged. The crowd loved it.

Nick introduced two covers into his act – the brilliant interpretation of Pink Floyd’s Shine on you Crazy Diamond and a tribute to Prince – a really beautiful Nick Harper version of Purple Rain that transformed the song into something else – incredible.

After the show I talked to three people who had never seen Nick perform before and they were completely stunned by what they had witnessed. They could not believe the power of the performance, the unbelievable guitar playing, the songs, the voice and the stage performance. All three told me they had never seen anything like it before. They were knocked out.

He headed off today bound for Newcastle tonight and then Berwick on Sunday. If you haven’t seen him then go along – he is on fire!

A big thank you to Rich and Lou for organising the whole thing and kicking off the evening with a great set of their own. A lot of work goes into organising and promoting events. It must be extremely fulfilling to have organised something that worked so well and was as special as this.

Thanks must also go to Paul Sutton. The Back Room is a great venue for gigs. The atmosphere was great. (The beer wasn’t bad either).

I’ll sort out a few photos! And even a video or two!

Cottingham Loudhailer – Music session in the Back Room – Be there or be square!

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537 Essential Rock Albums coverThat’s them on the front of my book!!

It’s that time again!!  Rich and Lou host another music session extraordinaire at the Back Room in Cottingham. If you like good music, great people and a brilliant night out then this is the place!!

They say it’s acoustic but it rocks!

Starts at 7.30 pm. There’s beer! There’s music! There’s people! There’s a great atmosphere! What more could you want?

Here’s the link:

Loudhailer Acoustic Nights

I’ll be there – how about you?

Nick Harper Gig at Back Room Cottingham – Photos and some words – a sell out!!

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1. Nick 2.-NickIMG_0672  Richard

IMG_0667Rich & Lou

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Nick is the most extraordinary guitarist and songwriter and should be the biggest thing around. unfortunately he is yet appreciated on that scale. But then, that can only be to our benefit. We are able to appreciate his brilliance in small intimate clubs like the Back Room in Cottingham.

The gig sold out well in advance and they were turning people away from the door! That’s always sad. My only consolation for all those people who didn’t get in is that Nick has promised to come back and do another gig in the same venue soon!

The night did not go without hitches – Nick’s guitar developed a fault prior to going on and had to have emergency repairs. It took out some of the driving bass sounds but that irritated Nick more than it did the audience. It did nothing to stop people being mesmerised by the brilliance of his unparalleled skills. Paul, who runs the place, and is no mean guitarist and performer, was heard to say ‘How the hell does he do that?’

Nick never ceases to amaze me. I have seen him perform for twenty years now and he continues to grow and become better and better. It is hard to believe how. His voice, with that high range is phenomenal, the guitar and range of skills is beyond anyone else I’ve seen and the song-writing goes ever on.

It’s always a privilege to catch him live.

Thanks to Rich and Lou for the organisation. Nobody knows how much time and effort goes in to putting on an event like this – from the bookings, liaison, posters, tickets, sales, promotion, and general organisation. Who’d be a promoter? But then if nobody did it we’d never get to see the performers and live music would die. Thanks Rich & Lou. You made it possible!

It was also nice to see so many old and new friends turning out to support live music and catch a close-up of the wonderful Nick in action. Together at the gig were a number from Nick’s first ever gig (his first gig ever!) in Hull back twenty years ago – Liz, Rich, Tim, Carl, Eddy and Me!

Great also to see Dexter, Ian & Liz, Chris Barratt (who came in response to my blog – hope you enjoyed it and it was worthwhile!), Mike & Sue, John and Doreen.

There’s never time to talk and catch up at gigs but it is always nice to exchange a few words and smiles.

Thanks to Paul for the great venue and nice beer!

Thanks to Richard for the great support act! Great guitar and humour.

The photos are not brilliant as the lighting was not too conducive. There are a couple that Rich processed that are great though. Thanks Rich.

It was also great finally getting to meet the legendary Paula McBear who came all the way from Edinburgh but is neither Scottish nor ursine! Paula does a great job keeping everyone up to speed and was delightful!

It is good to spend the evening boggling at genius in action and feasting the eyes and ears! I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Thanks Nick – I loved it!

Lastly – a reminder that Rich & Lou’s acoustic Loudhailer events take place at the Back Room every first Thursday of the month! Nice friendly vibe, great music and company. Well worth a visit! Here’s the link:

Loudhailer Acoustic Nights