Fieldhouse - Paul McCartney Auditorium LIPA Liverpool 4th April 2011
Fieldhouse - Live at Static Gallery DVD
Setlist: Rhythm Is A Killer / We’re Not In Love / The Truth Is Your Sword / My City / Tomas At The Window / Jake / Honest To God / The Snow / Blitzkrieg
Fieldhouse?
Who, or what, is a Fieldhouse?
I am so glad you asked that, you know.
Fieldhouse is a five-piece rock band, formed three years ago by a few bright young things at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Some 1000 days later, we are all gathered in the Paul McCartney auditorium at LIPA, to attend a live performance by Fieldhouse.
This is possibly the most important gig that the band‘s founder member, Lewis Fieldhouse, has yet performed. This showcase, for third year music students, is being graded and, depending on how well it all goes, it counts towards Lewis’s degree. Oh, and his friends and family are all here. So, no pressure there, then. No, I didn’t see Sir Paul in attendance, before you ask.
This latest line-up of the band features the two remaining original members, Lewis, naturally, on guitar and vocals, and drummer, Chris Morgan, plus new recruits Phil Morris on bass, Richard Baillie on Lead Guitar, and Ross Skillbeck on Keyboards.
Fieldhouse?
Who, or what, is a Fieldhouse?
I am so glad you asked that, you know.
Fieldhouse is a five-piece rock band, formed three years ago by a few bright young things at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Some 1000 days later, we are all gathered in the Paul McCartney auditorium at LIPA, to attend a live performance by Fieldhouse.
This is possibly the most important gig that the band‘s founder member, Lewis Fieldhouse, has yet performed. This showcase, for third year music students, is being graded and, depending on how well it all goes, it counts towards Lewis’s degree. Oh, and his friends and family are all here. So, no pressure there, then. No, I didn’t see Sir Paul in attendance, before you ask.
This latest line-up of the band features the two remaining original members, Lewis, naturally, on guitar and vocals, and drummer, Chris Morgan, plus new recruits Phil Morris on bass, Richard Baillie on Lead Guitar, and Ross Skillbeck on Keyboards.
Lewis Fieldhouse
Photograph by James Byrne
Although this was my first time in the audience at a
Fieldhouse gig, I do know their music from their online presence and I was
impressed by how well the songs worked live. The opener, Rhythm is a Killer, is
a regular selection on my Winamp favourites playlist and I thoroughly expect
someone to sign this band any day now, on the strength of that one song alone.
I knew that I was not going to be objective until at least the second song, so
I just enjoyed myself with a little bit of old-bloke headbanging and an
out-of-tune singalong.
As they played through the setlist, we were treated to We’re Not In Love, The Truth Is My Sword, and My City, all songs that get you involved (in spite of my best attempts to remain cool and aloof). Tomas at the Window is a very new song and was played live for the first time tonight, as was the truly awesome, Jake. Even though Jake is still not even fully finished, it is clear that this song is going to be epic and, if Fieldhouse keep producing songs of this standard, it is only a matter of time before they become a household name. Jake is definitely the sort of song that could make a band’s reputation.
The set began its wind up with Fieldhouse’s most successful track to date, Honest to God (currently receiving considerable airplay on the radio) and the thought-provoking, The Snow. Blitzkrieg, the last song, does pretty much what it says on the tin. If anything, this one, with its strobe/instrumental section, reminds me of how Deep Purple used to perform Mandrake Root, back in the early days. Very effective. A real facemelter to close the show.
As they played through the setlist, we were treated to We’re Not In Love, The Truth Is My Sword, and My City, all songs that get you involved (in spite of my best attempts to remain cool and aloof). Tomas at the Window is a very new song and was played live for the first time tonight, as was the truly awesome, Jake. Even though Jake is still not even fully finished, it is clear that this song is going to be epic and, if Fieldhouse keep producing songs of this standard, it is only a matter of time before they become a household name. Jake is definitely the sort of song that could make a band’s reputation.
The set began its wind up with Fieldhouse’s most successful track to date, Honest to God (currently receiving considerable airplay on the radio) and the thought-provoking, The Snow. Blitzkrieg, the last song, does pretty much what it says on the tin. If anything, this one, with its strobe/instrumental section, reminds me of how Deep Purple used to perform Mandrake Root, back in the early days. Very effective. A real facemelter to close the show.
Ross SkillbeckPhotograph by James Byrne
Although I knew what I was coming to see tonight, I was still surprised by what I saw. I expected them to be good, this is a university after all! What I didn’t expect was that they were as good as they were. The music is certainly radio-friendly and very foot-tappingly catchy, but all of the songs are so well-crafted and performed with such passion and flair. I’m not often wrong, but in this case, I had made a big error and had underestimated these guys. This band is much better than I had realised; it’s not just some bunch of uni students having a laugh. They really are serious about this.
Whilst Lewis Fieldhouse is the very talented writer behind all the material, it is clear that there is a deep connection between him and drummer, Chris Morgan. These two have been through several line-ups, trying to find one that not only works, but is good enough technically, to play the complex arrangements. Morgan, certainly, sets a high standard for others to attain; you only have to watch him briefly to know that he may be young, but he is one hell of a drummer. Judging from tonight’s showing they may have found the line-up they were looking for. It is too early to say for sure, but it looks promising.
Whilst Lewis Fieldhouse is the very talented writer behind all the material, it is clear that there is a deep connection between him and drummer, Chris Morgan. These two have been through several line-ups, trying to find one that not only works, but is good enough technically, to play the complex arrangements. Morgan, certainly, sets a high standard for others to attain; you only have to watch him briefly to know that he may be young, but he is one hell of a drummer. Judging from tonight’s showing they may have found the line-up they were looking for. It is too early to say for sure, but it looks promising.
Richard Baillie / Phil Morris
Photograph by James Byrne
The interplay between Fieldhouse and Morgan reminds me of that between Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford. Fieldhouse, like Matthews is the singer and guitar-playing front man, whereas Morgan, like Beauford, is the one that you can’t help but watch and try to work out how he is playing some of those drum patterns. As a DMB fan of long-standing, this is not a comparison I make lightly. Whilst Fieldhouse may have a way to go to reach the lofty standards of DMB, they certainly have the potential. The songs are good and work well live and the band is tight and proficient. Perhaps, if they can emulate DMB’s business model and retain the rights to their material and corporate image as well, they may well be playing National Parks and small islands themselves in a few years.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
5th April 2011
I would like to thank James Byrne for the use of his photographs in this review.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
5th April 2011
I would like to thank James Byrne for the use of his photographs in this review.