Reverand and The Makers- By Sally Webb
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The stage at the Nation Courtyard, part of Cream, is tight but functional. The drinks are pricey, the toilets need a huge makeover, so I'm hoping the gig makes up for it. As the band gets ready to perform, candles are lit and incense is burned. It's a chilled out atmosphere, and no one seems bothered about getting to the front.
As the gig begins I notice an older couple next to me. They look so out of place that I assume they are the parents of one of the band members. I don't know how common that is, but it doesn't feel very cool. Then, as I look around the room I notice more middle aged people dancing away to the "State of Things", a single from the debut album of the same name. I'm surprised that The Reverand and The Makers fan base would be made up of anything but cool Indie kids with a penchant for skinny jeans and it somehow makes the band seem more credible as genuine talent. After all a band that manages to attract fans of all ages, is a band that is breaking boundaries. They play "Heavyweight Champion of The World" which Jon Mclure, the frontman tells us was recorded just round the corner in Parr St. Studios, Liverpool,
As the gig begins I notice an older couple next to me. They look so out of place that I assume they are the parents of one of the band members. I don't know how common that is, but it doesn't feel very cool. Then, as I look around the room I notice more middle aged people dancing away to the "State of Things", a single from the debut album of the same name. I'm surprised that The Reverand and The Makers fan base would be made up of anything but cool Indie kids with a penchant for skinny jeans and it somehow makes the band seem more credible as genuine talent. After all a band that manages to attract fans of all ages, is a band that is breaking boundaries. They play "Heavyweight Champion of The World" which Jon Mclure, the frontman tells us was recorded just round the corner in Parr St. Studios, Liverpool,
their biggest hit to date. I notice how big his hands are, and his repetitive two finger pointing gesture to the crowd only emphasises this. He then, true to form, makes a statement about one of his most hated political parties. "F**K THE BNP", he demands, to which the crowd roar in agreement. He then tells us that's the best reaction he's had and seals his approval with "Peace and F**kin Love".
I really start to get into the gig. Everyone in the crowd knows the words, except me, and they happily blast them out in time. There's one thing that keeps niggling at me though. And it's the way the frontman performs. He seems, well, a bit cocky. I have friends who would swoon over a character like Jon "The Reverand" Mclure, and most fans would say it's part of his charm, but it grates on me. That aside, he's a great showman, and I enjoy the rest of the gig, which includes the chavs favourite "He Says He Loves Me" and new tracks from their latest album "A French Kiss in The Chaos".
The gig comes to a fantastic end, and Jon tells the crowd to follow him out of the door. This being my first Revs gig I didn't know what to expect. Following him outside, I saw a mass of people crowding round, and heard a guitar come from the centre of the group. Apparently he treats most of his fans to an impromptu acoustic gig at the back of the venue, covering classics like "Hey Jude" and free styling with whatever's on his mind at the time. It's not often a star will risk mixing with us common people, it wins us all over and it ends the gig on a real high.
I really start to get into the gig. Everyone in the crowd knows the words, except me, and they happily blast them out in time. There's one thing that keeps niggling at me though. And it's the way the frontman performs. He seems, well, a bit cocky. I have friends who would swoon over a character like Jon "The Reverand" Mclure, and most fans would say it's part of his charm, but it grates on me. That aside, he's a great showman, and I enjoy the rest of the gig, which includes the chavs favourite "He Says He Loves Me" and new tracks from their latest album "A French Kiss in The Chaos".
The gig comes to a fantastic end, and Jon tells the crowd to follow him out of the door. This being my first Revs gig I didn't know what to expect. Following him outside, I saw a mass of people crowding round, and heard a guitar come from the centre of the group. Apparently he treats most of his fans to an impromptu acoustic gig at the back of the venue, covering classics like "Hey Jude" and free styling with whatever's on his mind at the time. It's not often a star will risk mixing with us common people, it wins us all over and it ends the gig on a real high.