A chance meeting with Lyndsay and James Magill of Oko Oko found GhostBirdUK heading deep into the 'Shires' of Hexham, out towards Allendale. This small village in south-west Northumberland boasts a surprisingly sizeable Village Hall, and within its pine-clad little bar area, excitement was already beginning to build.
Behind the black curtain, the sounds of the bands warming up could be heard, whilst plenty of illicit peeking was taking place among the punters. The little merch table was attracting plenty of attention, particularly the 10-inch vinyl and T-shirts, while the local Allendale Brewery ale was being enthusiastically supped.
Locals had turned out in their droves, alongside others who had travelled from further afield, all eager to experience the avant-garde sounds of Pram and local Northumbrian band Oko Oko. There was a delightful sense of community in the room, with plenty of banter, hugs and chatter, all wrapped up in a shared anticipation of the arrival of a rather special band.
The stage was absolutely chock-full of equipment, so much so that Oko Oko had to set up on the main floor. The five-piece brought with them an interesting assortment of instruments and kicked things off with How Do We, a fine opener for the evening. The audience gathered closely around the band, creating a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.
Real Sweet brought a great guitar beat, with Wes Hartley, James and John providing an almost reggae feel, complemented by some lovely whistling. Another highlight was Country, which in parts had an old-time ragtime quality and, to my ears, a distinctly Americana flavour. Lyndsay's melodica added another dimension.
Harry McClairy was a softer, quieter offering which gradually built in intensity. Lyndsay's use of the thunder drum added an atmospheric quality before her vocals became more expressive. The pace picked up again with Photograph, a particularly funky number and one I really enjoyed.
Lark brought the mood down again, offering something quieter and more thoughtful. The lyrics, had references to 'everything and nothing' and 'shapes without boundaries', which felt particularly poignant. There was more lovely whistling, while John Nellist's Omnichord made a fascinating appearance, adding to the song's beautifully texture. Teardrop was another fine offering, with emotional lyrics touching on leaving home, letting go and walking away.
With Wishing Time Away, the band delivered an infectious sound. The Omnichord featured again, alongside a fabulous bass line and some excellent work behind the kit from drummer Tony Wilson, who was on loan from the band Floppy Posture. The return of the melodica worked beautifully, adding yet another distinctive layer.
All in all, another enjoyable performance, showcasing Oko Oko's wonderfully eclectic style, with plenty of texture and variety, alongside some new material thrown into the mix. What made it all the more impressive was discovering that this particular line-up had only rehearsed together three times. You certainly wouldn't have guessed it from the polished performance on display tonight. Bravo, guys!
Pram came on stage to a rapturous round of applause. This avant-garde band have been on the circuit since the late 1980s. Their sound is intriguing and, at times, unsettling, with eerie sounds including the theremin, which was also mesmerising to watch. The whole set was amazing and quite an experience, with mysterious and bizarre films playing as a backdrop to the stage.
Singer and keyboardist Sam Owen has a poise and elegance, juxtaposed with the quiet confidence that comes from having such talent. Playing a selection of instruments, including keys, horn, flute, clarinet and bass guitar, she also delivered haunting, beguiling vocals throughout.
Along with the rest of the band, Matt Eaton and Max Simpson on guitar, keys and bass, with Max on the melodica and also sampling, plus Harry Dawes on theremin, trombone and stylophone. On this tour they have been joined by the very talented drummer Fliss Kitson. She has a cracking voice and really belts it out, alongside some superb drumming throughout the set.
The band are so tight and on point; it was a real sound sensation! I felt totally immersed in the atmosphere they created, and the whole audience seemed entranced.
There were songs with beautiful piano melodies and strong, clear vocals, while others had funky bass beats. Some featured a distinctive cowbell beat and trombone, with Harry bringing things to a close on the theremin - a sound that really gets the hairs standing on end!
Some vocals were whispered, others loud and clear. The music is utterly entrancing, and when a track comes to an abrupt end, it's just glorious!
Some songs leave you with a sense of unease, thanks to the deliberately placed discord, screeching and eerie, bee-like sounds, alongside a bass so deep it almost hurts. Then the music comes down the scale and brings you gently back to earth.
The penultimate song, accompanied by a haunting, spooky video of a girl in a white mask in a scary house, was great fun too and created lots of drama. That image stayed with me as I headed off on my lonely drive home through the pitch-dark countryside. Thankfully, the sky was clear and the bright stars lit the way. I was certainly glad I'd ventured out on this little Friday night jaunt, which turned into a magnificent experience!
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