Out and About with Rise Up
Event Review
Tuesday 27th marked my first venture into the Independent music scene since before the pandemic. It was a great night so I thought I’d weave a tale and peek your interest into a new promoter on the Birmingham scene….so lets begin.
July 19th this year the shackles were finally taken off the arts and entertainment industry and bands were actually allowed to say those three little words “Full capacity gig”. With social distancing thrown out the window audiences were finally allowed to stand up and support their favourite artists in the way that venues intended. So once it became clear there would be no last minute, and now infamous ‘U-turns’ I decided it was probably about time I got out there and see if I could remember what a social cue is.
Obviously, the first thing I had to do was find a gig. This didn’t take long as in previous weeks one small promoter had caught my eye. Rise Up, a brand new player on the Birmingham scene had organised their first event and it was going to be a good one. With a line up consisting of familiar faces on the scene, Bryony Williams, Wilde Ivey, and Lucy Shaw, plus the addition of a rising young star, Emily Sambrook the night was shaping up to be one not to miss.
So I delved a bit deeper for the when and where’s and in doing so came across Rise Up’s humble intentions for their events…
Reading this, I knew I had to support this event. Not only would I get to hear some brilliant live music from artists on my ‘Brummie Bucket List’ (Paton pending) but I’d get to support an amazing cause that in their own small way, much like myself, are trying to re shape the landscape of the local music scene. So I hit the ticket link, scooped me a ticket and then counted down the days until my return to live music.
Mama Roux’s in Digbeth was a venue I’d never been to before. Honestly, before the lockdowns and everything I hadn’t made it to many live gigs but like a lot of people, not being able to for so long has made me appreciate the want to set aside time to actually get outside and get involved. Anyway, Mama Roux’s was the venue, Tuesday night was the time and I arrived armed with my desire to witness live music and my mobile phone to record this moment. Dramatic I know, but it was a big deal for me.
Arriving at the venue I slipped in early curtesy of the organiser Ellie. Sadly it was at this point I found out that Emily Sambrook had had to back out of the gig after falling foul of the isolation curse that seems to be sweeping the country. However Ellie had stepped up and would be wrapping up the night herself. Intrigued at this development I took my seat and settled in for the opening act.
As a steady stream of people made their way inside Bryony Williams made her way to the stage and took her place to open the nights proceedings.
As a huge fan of Bryony’s songs I was looking forward to hearing them live. So as she started her set I was surprised to find her performing a more stripped back version of all her past singles. Despite not having the backing of a full band, she still managed to portray the power of each of her tracks armed with only her guitar. As she performed more people arrived and as she finished off her set the room rippled with an out pouring of applause and appreciation. Only drawback at this point was I’d forgotten how annoying tall people are at gigs but it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm to be at the gig.
Next up was Lucy Shaw. Taking to the stage she stood confidently before the microphone and immediately whipped up the audience with a mix of original songs and covers.
Her confidence held the attention of the crowd and it felt so down to earth hearing her songs and vocals reverberate around the room. Not really hearing her music before that night I was very impressed with her original songs and her great way of writing stories into song form. Again, as she ended her set Lucy drew out a round of applause of definitely gained a brand new fan that night.
After this I went to the bar, yes the actual bar, to order a drink. It doesn’t really say anything about the event, but was so strange to be stood at a bar. Anyway, at that point Ellie took to the stage and thanked everyone for coming so far and announced the news about Emily and her stepping up to the plate. This was met by an enthusiastic round of applause. It was at this moment I realised I was witnessing the development of something special in my local music scene. Ellie’s passion and ethos were plain to see for everyone in the room.
Drink in hand I took up my position for Wilde Ivy to take the stage.
The country duo were a name I’d seen floating about on gig posters for a while but I’d not really heard much of their material. Opening their set they drifted across the room and drew a hush from the now alcohol field crowd. Each voice wove between each other and each song rested gently into the atmosphere. Throwing in a few well arranged covers into the mix the duo announced their final song and had me wondering where the time had gone. Again, another new act for me had gained a brand new fan.
Before Ellie took to the stage I made my way to the balcony and took an unobstructed view as the took to the stage to tentatively close the show.
Starting nervously, Ellie soon found her stride and was soon involving the audience in sing along after sing along. All the while her humble stage presence and ease of rolling with mistakes meant the night was drawn to a close in the most down to earth and casual fashion. Performing a brilliant cover of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ Ellie fully embodied her own ambition to create a more equal environment for female artists in the local scene. Wrapping up by getting the whole audience to sing ‘Fuck You’, curtsy of Lily Allen, Ellies final song ended to applause and calls for more. Sadly she gracefully left the stage but not before again thanking everyone for coming and supporting her event.
So with that, ended my first trip out of the house to a normal gig. I was so glad to have been able to not just witness the event but also support in my own way. For me Rise Up are another example of the fire that burns in the local scene hoping to scorch a lasting change into the industry. I’m looking forward to the next event and hoping it won’t be too long in the making.
Follow Rise Up:
0 Comments