Page 42 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 102

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THE WILDHEARTS / HANDS OFF GRETEL / THEE ACID TONGUE – COVENTRY EMPIRE, 17.07.19
When The Wildhearts announced their ‘Renaissance Tour 2019’ we During The Wildhearts’ set, Ginger reveals his surprise at how many
were quite gutted that there was no Midlands date. The May 2019 tour attendees there are. We’re not sure why he’s surprised as The Wildhearts
kicked off in Manchester and ended in Newcastle with no sign of Birming- mean a lot to many. Maybe it’s because we’re in Coventry rather than a
ham, Wolverhampton or anywhere else local in between. So when the bigger city, but the fact is, a lot of Midlanders wanted a local show – and
band later announced a stand-alone Coventry date we rejoiced. bought tickets to it. And The Wildhearts definitely give their money’s worth.
It was the night before our trip to Bucharest and we knew things were While opening with ‘Dislocated’ from their new album, ‘Renaissance Men’,
going to be hectic – but The Wildhearts are a band that you make time they have so many gems in their back catalogue that a night at one of
for. Once you’ve seen them live they are a band that you just HAVE to their gigs is rock ‘n’ roll heaven. ‘Vanilla Radio’, ‘Suckerpunch’, ‘Caffeine
see again. And again. Bomb’, the band bring both the melodies and the catchy, foot-tripping
And The Empire in Coventry is a nice venue to see them in. A sizable hooks. ‘Let ‘Em Go’ from the new album is another sing-along anthem
floor with a few steps at the back up to a higher level where the bar is sit- with enthusiastic advice while ‘Urge’ is a blast of dirty distortion. Danny
uated, and where you can also watch the band at balcony-level. McCormack on bass can now stand up for the whole show, and while CJ
Local punk rockers Thee Acid Tongue open the show. A five-piece ran- and Ginger don’t seem to jump as much as they sometimes do, if you’re
sacking their way through some no-frills, raw, punk rock tunes like a freight in the audience you probably will! With an encore that opens with (an-
train through a china shop. With riotous songs such as ‘Blood, Sex and other) fan-favourite ‘My Baby Is A Headfuck’ and closes with ‘I Wanna Go
Alcohol’ and ‘Electric Head’, the four guys and one gal definitely know how Where The People Go’, the UK’s finest homegrown rock four-piece deliver
to raise the temperature in the room. the goods and then some. And with another round of shows already an-
It’s Hands Off Gretel that we’re really excited to see, and if you haven’t nounced for October, The Wildhearts’ regeneration looks set to continue
heard of them, you need to. They are captivating live with their stage show – much to our delight. Get to a show.
and look, while at the same time having substance in their songs, writing YYYYY
about important subjects – everything from ‘Don’t Touch’, an ‘angry song Shari Black Velvet
for the ladies’ to ‘Milk’, about veganism and animal rights. We’re instantly
won over. This is a band the whole world needs to pay attention to. CJ and Ginger Wildheart (The Wildhearts) Photo By Shari Black Velvet

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