Out and About with Ryan Sparrow
Gig Review
Sunday 3rd October 2021
Back in 2019 I had the great pleasure of hosting Ryan Sparrow at one of my early and intimate, Barstool Sessions. Even then I was so taken in by his stage presence and ability to bring a room to silence with his guitar. So when it came to my attention that he would be breaking his live performance hiatus at The Victoria in Birmingham, well it was a no brainer. I’d not only have the chance to catch Ryan with a full entourage but also get to visit another great new venue in Birmingham.
The Victoria was one of those venues that had been popping up on gig listings but one I’d never really come across before. Entering the venue I immediately felt like I was stepping into a place full of electricity and an atmosphere for music. Grabbing a beer from the upstairs room bar a took up a spot and settled in for the first act.
MARC stepped on stage and immediately got the room alive with their own brand of Alt Rock ’n’ Roll. Blistering through their set and highlighting their fluid guitar work and tight sound the young lads from the West Midlands ended each song to a rousing round of applause. Even between songs the bands banter on stage and with the crowd made the gig feel intimate and even if you didn’t know their songs you still felt like part of their crew. They knocked out a brilliant live version of ‘Boeing 747’ and defiantly made it on to my list of bands to catch again. Wrapping up the set they ended as every band should, leaving the audience wanting more.
Background music back on it was time to duck back to the bar and get a refill before the next band hit the stage. This band I’d been excited to see live since hearing there latest release and spinning on the show.
The Masses took up positions and without a word kicked into high gear and launched into their first song. Despite being a three piece band they filled the stage and the room as though they were a five piece turned up to 11. Each track was delivered with power and passion and only added to the electricity churned up by MARC. Each song was met with explosive applause and calls for more. It was great to hear some new songs and get a teaser of what is to come next from the eager three piece. Just as before The Masses wrapped up their set leaving the crowd wanting more.
I know at this point it does seem that I’m repeating myself but honestly both bands were perfectly placed on the line up and just lit up the stage with passion and energy. Anyway, back to the event. It was time for show stopper. So cider in hand I took up a new spot in front of the stage and felt the tingle of anticipation as Ryan and his band took to the stage.
As I said above, it had been almost two years since I last saw Ryan perform so I was very excited to check out the new look Ryan Sparrow. First thing to grab my attention was that Ryan hadn’t ditched the acoustic but instead had built his music around its warm but sharp sound. Each song packed a punch while still keeping the gentle core of what drew me to Ryan’s music in the first place. Each song just got better and better. The whole band worked as one fluid machine to bring to life the tracks in a big way. Closing your eyes you could have slmost felt like you were at a headline show at Glastonbury. As his final song ended with a bang it left me very impressed and happy that I’d been part of his first show back after lockdown.
Overall it was another great night off I’ve music curtsy of amazing local bands proving that you don’t need a million pound budget or a packed out stadium of crazed fans to blow the roof of a venue. Each performance was packed with soul and passion and once again it reasserted my belief in supporting unsigned and independent artists. There are some amazing bands out there that want nothing more than to be heard and appreciated, hopefully I can reach as many as I can before all this gigging blows my ear drums. Until next time, keep supporting grass roots live music and the venues that are their home. The industry is getting back to its feet but just needs a little help moving forwards.
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