It’s my first gig of the new year and I’m quite looking forward to tonight’s show despite the freezing fog that envelops my car on the way to the Sanctuary Rock Bar in Burnley tonight. It’s mid-January and not a good time of the month for most people with Christmas just finished with, so I’m hoping at least a few will turn out for tonight’s bands as these guys have come a long way.
First up tonight is The Magic Lotus, originally from Athens they packed up and moved to London 4 years ago. Which is no surprise as they would have fit right in at such venues as the Roxy or the Vortex a few decades ago. Playing a mix-up of edgy punk, 60s rock and grunge, the guys start with the track “Something New” which, despite the obvious undertones of harking back to the early days of punk rock, sound fresh and modern. Picking up the pace all the way through and playing a solid set which included both they’re previously released singles “Let Music” and “Feel you Love”, before treating us to “Change the world” which was released on the 25th January. With a very distinctive sound and vocals at times reminding me very much of Matt Bellamy from Muse then they are definitely a band to watch out for.
Set List:
- Something New
- Be Like You
- Feel Your Love
- The City is Burning
- Change the World
- Mania
- Let Music
- Stay Up and Try
Headlining tonight is Andrea Brosio & White Cloud Fire, who are currently touring the UK all the way from Finland. Here to promote the new album So Far So Good on Planet Earth which was released October 2018. Strolling onto stage wrapped in a thick hoody, poncho and sunglasses, Andrea eases us into the evening with “World Is Mine”, the first 3 lines of this song sung acapella immediately show we’re in for a treat. With the remainder of the song going from its ballad beginning and middle section to screeching guitars and easily showing off Andrea’s impressive vocal range.
According to Andrea it’s colder in the Sanctuary tonight than his home in Finland but soon warms the crowd and himself up. By the fourth track he’s discarded the heavy poncho and hoody and leans forward, playing to the crowd, his time on The Voice in Finland under the mentorship of Michael Monroe is very apparent. Laughing and joking, he seems at ease and quickly develops a rapport with folk as between songs he mentions his Italian roots, time with Monroe on the Finnish version of The Voice and introduces his fellow band mates.
Flowing from ballad to heavy 80s rock anthem, they skip their way through the tracks on the album, on many occasions I find the hairs on my arms standing up and forget I’m supposed to be taking photos as I end up dancing along with the rest of the crowd. By the time we get to “Libertà” I’m well and truly hooked, with the fact that it was co-written with Michael Monroe being obvious.
Andrea & White Cloud Fire delivered tonight, with flawless vocals, ripping guitar solos, rolling drums and bass, they could easily share the bill with the likes of Skid Row, Poison or Hanoi Rocks and come away heads held high. 100% classic 80s rock is very much alive and kicking and, for an old rocker like me, it’s good to feel young again. Andrea told me they will be back again once this tour is over and I can see them playing bigger venues, so I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for that. In the meantime, check out the album but catch them live if you can, it’s well worth it.
Set List
- World is Mine
- Promises Of Our Kind
- Candle In The Dark
- Wicked Game (HIM cover)
- Love Will Give You Bliss
- The Sun and the Moon
- The Only Son
- Fly Away
- Libertà
- Out By Now
Photos by Drew Scott Photographic
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