Page 44 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 99

BV98 pg44&45_BV99 pg44 08/11/2018 01:30 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 44
FOUR STICKS FESTIVAL - MASSIVE WAGONS / MASSIVE / SACRILEGE / NEW DEVICE
/ THEIA / HELL’S GAZELLES / GALLOWS HIGH / HAMMERJACK / DEAD BLOW / CITY
OF THIEVES – LONDON NEW CROSS INN, 7.10.18

The debate as to whether size truly matters is one as old as time Hammerjack follow, spearheaded by their hugely talented frontman
and one likely to remain discussed and argued for as long as conversa- Sharpy, whose soaring and varied vocals are among the highlights of
tions are had, but on this particular Sunday afternoon at New Cross Inn the day.
there is no denying size not only matters but bigger is without question One noticeable feature of the day is the lack of female musicians,
better. This is both in terms of quantity and quality as with the number which makes it all the more disappointing when Gallows High’s vocalist
of performing bands stretching into double figures offering those on Emma Wale is hampered with some technical gremlins at the start of
hand the opportunity to feast on around seven hours of classic rock. their short set. It’s an even bigger pity when you consider this is perhaps
The quantity is undeniable but the quality is equally high and with Mas- the only sound-based niggle in the venue all day but it’s quickly rectified
sive Wagons headlining the evening, ably supported by Aussie stars and her powerful voice is allowed to shine in all its glory and with some
Massive, size is again a big part of proceedings. heavy tracks on their CV they have the potential to be ones to watch.
But hours before this oversized combination hit the stage it’s down Up until this point there has been a noticeable gap between the
to City Of Thieves to get the ball rolling and despite being late additions edge of the stage and the nearest audience member and so Hells’
to the programme, only announced less than 24 hours before, they do Gazelles’ vocalist Cole Bryant takes matters into his own hands, not
so in fine fashion. With their album release days away they have a point only venturing into the crowd but climbing, jumping and leaping from
to prove and they more than make it. They may be something of a dia- everything he can find inside the room. His energy is infectious and it
mond in the rough but their jagged edges gives them some extra bite doesn’t take long for him to have those looking on in the palm of his
and with songs such as ‘Buzzed Up City’ and ‘Born To be Great’ in their hand but it’s not a smoke machine to cover any shortcomings the band
arsenal the latter has already become true. has as they too have some excellent material, ‘Take Your Medicine’, the
Sadly, Dead Blow cannot keep this early momentum up and while title track from their latest EP, and ‘Out Of Time’ being highlights of their
their traditional take on classic rock is perfectly fine, the truth is they are brilliant set.
outclassed by everyone else in action here and this is underlined when It’s no easy task for Theia to follow, but they do with guts, confidence

CONCERTS