Jade's Music Blog

Dressed in a black polo shirt and faded jeans, it would have been hard to pick singer James Skelly out of the crowd at the Academy last night, and his rapport with his army of loyal fans is not exactly of the stadium rock variety.
During the 80 minute set he barely spoke, except for a “ta� after each song, and to introduce the track titles. He gave little away, but I swore I saw an unconscious smile creep across his lips as the crowd bounced excitedly to some of the more upbeat numbers, before he remembered himself and looked moodily at the floor once more.
There were times when I wished he’d do just a bit of banter, but then again, with music this good, there’s no need for conversation.
His chocolaty voice sounded smoother than ever as he effortlessly crooned into the mic, while guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones twinkled beside him, with ever-more imaginative playing.
In fact, all of the Wirral sextet was on blistering form last night, playing a tight set mixing old fashioned country, 1960s-style psychedelica and folk with modern rock'n'roll influences, which felt almost like a greatest hits of The Coral.
They were supported by The View, but all eyes were on the hometown heroes.
There was plenty from their current album ¬- the superb Roots & Echoes – including Who’s Gonna Find Me, Fireflies, Jacqueline, Rebecca You and a strangely rapid Put the Sun Back - before a return to familiar ground with Dreaming of You, Pass It On and In the Morning, which met with a predictably fervent response.
The lads have a night off tonight, before returning with special guests Shack tomorrow, and The Twang on Saturday. Unsurprisingly, tickets for both nights are now sold out, but if you can get down there do. You won’t regret it.