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LIVE REVIEW
LIAM FENDER & voices of virtue gospel choir
bOILER sHOP nEWCASTLE
14th of July 2024, a day that most people in England will remember for the England football team losing unfortunately, in the euro finals to Spain. However, for others on that day it was pretty special because they were at the Liam Fender and Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir gig at the Boiler Shop in Newcastle. Everyone who was lucky enough to get a ticket and get themselves down was treated to an amazing event.
The show kicked off quite early on in the day with doors opening at 4:30 It was great to see such a wide variety of age groups in the audience and everyone seemed to be in good spirits with plenty of chatter while they waited for the opening act. Support on this very special gig was provided by a band called The Often Herd. This group described themselves on their Instagram profile as a Newcastle Newgrass Band and they were pretty spectacular. They performed a decent sized set and a did a great job of warming everybody up. The set included a rather stunning track called Sycamore Gap, which was named after the unfortunately now departed Sycamore Gap tree. As was said in the introduction of the track, it was never meant to be a lament, it was the highlight of the set for me personally.
The show kicked off quite early on in the day with doors opening at 4:30 It was great to see such a wide variety of age groups in the audience and everyone seemed to be in good spirits with plenty of chatter while they waited for the opening act. Support on this very special gig was provided by a band called The Often Herd. This group described themselves on their Instagram profile as a Newcastle Newgrass Band and they were pretty spectacular. They performed a decent sized set and a did a great job of warming everybody up. The set included a rather stunning track called Sycamore Gap, which was named after the unfortunately now departed Sycamore Gap tree. As was said in the introduction of the track, it was never meant to be a lament, it was the highlight of the set for me personally.
The Often Herd
There was a short break which gave everyone a chance to grab some refreshments as the final checks were done on stage. Soon it was time for the main event. Liam and his band made the way on the stage to a huge applause. Liam had unfortunately had to cancel the gig previously due to unforeseen circumstances, so this was a rescheduled concert. The show of support was pretty immense, especially on Euro Final day, and with that in mind Liam and his promotions team, actually changed the time and pulled it forward to make sure as many people as possible could come to the show. Those who got there were given a real treat.
Liam’s set list was pretty concise, opening up with ‘The Best is Yet To Come’. Then on to a song I hadn't heard before, ‘Man Down’. it was really good and went down well with the audience. So after the first 2 tracks Liam had a little bit of banter with the crowd, joking “I bet you were expecting a choir” as Voices of Virtue, were yet to make an appearance. He then welcomed them to the stage and the crowd really got behind the collab which was great to witness as was really a really uplifting performance. Highlights from the set include wonderful rendition of “Dear Lord and Father”, which I wasn't expecting to be as powerful, but it was incredible. Liam’s cover version of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ didn't disappoint. He did a really good job.
Liam’s set list was pretty concise, opening up with ‘The Best is Yet To Come’. Then on to a song I hadn't heard before, ‘Man Down’. it was really good and went down well with the audience. So after the first 2 tracks Liam had a little bit of banter with the crowd, joking “I bet you were expecting a choir” as Voices of Virtue, were yet to make an appearance. He then welcomed them to the stage and the crowd really got behind the collab which was great to witness as was really a really uplifting performance. Highlights from the set include wonderful rendition of “Dear Lord and Father”, which I wasn't expecting to be as powerful, but it was incredible. Liam’s cover version of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ didn't disappoint. He did a really good job.
Voices Of Virtue Gospel Choir
Of course, no Liam Fender gig would be complete without 'Love Will Conquer', which rounded of a spectacular performance. All in all the afternoon / evening was a real triumph. I'm so glad that I made it and so many people put the effort in to get down to the show before the match. Everybody's efforts were repaid1000 times over, the Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir were entertaining and really uplifting. An experience that I don't think you'll find anywhere else to be honest. Whoever thought of bringing those two together, Liam Fender and the voice of the Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir is a genius because it was a really wholesome collaboration. There they played together so well you could tell they're being well rehearsed and that really put a lot of effort into getting the songs sounding spot on. Liam was having a great time and so was the audience.
Great to see that musical innovation and invention is still alive and well in the north east of England and that there is so much support for it.
Great to see that musical innovation and invention is still alive and well in the north east of England and that there is so much support for it.
