A neon sign adorns the stage changing red to blue, Tony Bennett’s Rags to Riches is playing and this all seems very appropriate for the excellent Good Health, Good Wealth on their Millionaires UK & IE Part 2 tour.
A very talented duo, with Bruce Breakey on vocals and Simon Kuzmickas playing guitar, they are both masters of songwriting and producing. Lyrics are raw and real, with their down-to-earth relatable storytelling that is sometimes poignant and reflective and usually amusing. You go on a journey with these lads, and it feels like you have an insight into their history, which those of similar age will recognise.
Bruce and Simon did not disappoint the expectant Newcastle crowd. It’s the second time they’ve played at Digital this year, and this time it was at the cozy hub Think Tank, which is a perfect hotspot for a buzzing gig with a jumping full house. The crowd loved it and it felt like we were at a private gig being so up front and personal with these Cockney Geezers!
Playing tracks from their new album, it’s encouraging to hear they’re making waves in the charts. Bruce commented they released the This Time Next Year We’ll be Millionaires album, “…and here we are” adding a wry smile – which raised a few laughs and cheers. Bruce is great with the audience; he has a way of speaking and connecting with the crowd which is amplified on stage from the lyrics in each song.
GHGW use their voice to speak to everyday people about the lives we all lead. They choose to stay away from politics and concentrate on bringing people together, while celebrating the highs and lows of normality and commonplace such as family, love, growing up and living in this crazy modern world.
The set list included some tracks from a few years back, Guinness with a brilliant bass line and Moonlight, about having a ‘shit night out’. Getting the crowd to put their hands up and move them along to this great rhythmic track.
There was a fun segue introducing Lithuanian Simon, and then to Bruce. They’ve got great stage presence. Bruce is funny and has good craic, engaging with the audience. Simon moves around the stage and it’s plain to see he’s enjoying every moment. We were told to not forget who we are and that we were amazing. To not get bad hangovers or be too naughty – more great advice! There was lots of dancing, smiling, finger pointing and fist pumping all round.
The set moves into tracks from the latest album with You Don’t Know Me. With a fierce beat and accompanying backing track, the lyric ‘If every pen stroke on the paper makes a hit, then why the fuck am I back down the job centre?’ really stands out.
Full circle – an absolutely class tune and a massive track. Everyone in the crowd knows this one and they were singing in unison! A belter of a song with their take on the state of the world right now, the declining high street, global warming, and of course being ‘raised on McDonalds mate’ really resonates.
The encore was the title track of their most recent album, This Time Next Year We’ll Be Millionaires. Another crowd pleaser, with everyone moving forward to the front of the stage, where we were so close, people all singing along with smiling faces.
GHGW say they are “inspired by visionaries such as N.E.R.D. and Daft Punk and the personal storytelling of Kanye West, The Streets and Mac Miller”. You can hear this in their songs, they have infectious beats, and their lyrics connect with the masses. GHGW have a sound similar to Mike Skinner with a Jamie T vibe, but GHGW are unique and as they said last night ‘Make some noise for having great taste’ - Newcastle made some noise!
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