Wirral Life January 2020 | Page 69

SATIN BEIGE JOHN O'CONNELL For one night only John O’Connell, formerly GROUNDPIG, will be playing a SIMPLE DYLAN acoustic set at West Kirby Arts Centre. I had the good fortune to catch Satin Beige recently at the Philharmonic Music Room. I really didn’t know what to expect when a young lady took to the stage carrying a cello. I needn’t have worried; the audience were treated to a funky fusion of self-penned R&B and jazz gems. The gifted singer/songwriter tapped the cello creating a rhythm section to accompany her voice in a unique and awe-inspiring union. The standout song of the evening was ‘Being Me’ which I later learned is her current single. Download it today. Since graduating from LIPA in 2015 she has received a special mention award at the UK Music awards (2017), opened the main stage at Africa Oye (2019) – The UK’s largest African music festival, supported Roachford on his UK tour, opened four sold out nights at The Music Room (Philharmonic Hall) supporting Connie Lush, played at BBC Introducing Live in London, and supported Chelcee Grimes (RCA) at her sold out hometown show in Liverpool and performed with Tommy Scott from Space. She has enjoyed airplay on BBC Introducing Merseyside and her single “Being Me”- a song addressing attitudes towards race has beenplayed by BBC introducing Merseyside and BBC 6 Music (Tom Robinson show). She will be playing her first headline gig with her cello, Kije, in Liverpool at Jimmy’s on the 20th March 2020 as part of a UK tour. Facebook.com/MissSatinBeige No frills, no gimmicks, no pretence, Simply Dylan is John’s personal interpretation of the songs of one of the world’s most prodigious song writers, Bob Dylan. Joined by some of his band members John will be covering a wide range of songs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. From a modest project celebrating Dylan’s 70th Birthday, Simply Dylan has gone from selling out the Cavern Club six times, to receiving fantastic reviews from the Spanish Press, to impressing Dylan fans from across the UK on their theatre tours with SJM Concerts. Last summer they performed at ‘The Isle of Wight Festival’ their biggest gig to date. This special night is a warmup for their 2020 tour which this year takes in the Auditorium at the Liverpool Arena and so will be Simply Dylan’s smallest gig in 2020. “…effortlessly brilliant.” – Peter Hooton, The Farm “…songs performed by musicians at the top of their game.” – Matt Forrest, Hub Review “A show every Bob Dylan fan should see.” – Louder than War The venue is situated in Brookfield Gardens on the site of the old Unitarian Church. Access from the street is via a flight of steps with, currently, no ramped access for wheelchairs. Park for free after 6.30pm at West Kirby Concourse, only 4 minutes’ walk away, as there is no on street parking available at the venue. Licensed bar available. Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/johnpig BEDSIDE MANNERS Originally forming as a three piece back in 2015 under a different name, current members Ben Coles, Dan Vagianos and Ethan Tyler laid the foundations for what was to come. After going through line-up changes and a lot of growth in ability, Bedside Manners was officially born in early 2017 the finished line up comprising of Ben Coles, Dan Vagianos, Ethan Tyler, James Green and John Carter. Making their first single debut on the 1st May 2017 with 'The Light', the band showed influences ranging from legends such as the Stone Roses to new wave bands like The 1975. The song was met with a great reception gaining a play on BBC Introducing Merseyside and earning them spots supporting the likes of Little Triggers and The Jjohns. Following on from that success, the band spent the next year gigging around Merseyside, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester supporting the likes of Childcare and Grafton Ash. The success of these gigs and their next two singles 'Pace' and 'In My Head' earned the band their first local headline gig under Scruff of the Neck, which again was met with a great response. After releasing their self-funded EP on the 17th August 2018, the band is on an upward trajectory. Now very much comfortable in their sound the vibrant five piece are turning heads with their soaring melodies and their distinctive solos. For a band still only in their infancy, Bedside Manners are laying the way for what they won’t be afraid to assure you is a future filled with global success. Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/bedsidemannersofficial/ wirrallife.com 69