Review: Leo and the Seraphim/Ryan Thomas – Suede Bar – 23 August 2013

Hockley’s Heathcoat Street is one of the best places to go for intimate events featuring some of Nottingham’s most up and coming local talent. Thirty seconds down the road from Jam Cafe is Suede Bar which, on Friday night, saw Ryan Thomas and Leo and the Seraphim take to the stage.

RYAN THOMAS, a local acoustic guitarist and singer, kicked off the night with a short set of music showcasing an exciting blend of modern blues and folk. What struck me the most about Ryan Thomas was his voice, which was characteristically strong with a raw edge. His performance on the acoustic guitar was almost as impressive, and while I was somewhat disappointed to see the vast majority of the audience paying little attention to the singer and carrying on with their conversations, they were all tapping their feet along to the infectious beat of his rhythmic guitar playing. His performance on harmonica was also a welcome addition to the lively set.

The second and final performance was from LEO AND THE SERAPHIM, who describe themselves as ‘alternative rock, soulful melodic music driven by powerful guitars – a thing both sublime and filthy. Like a baby elephant, bathing.’ Certainly the turnout was impressive, as was the quantity as well as the quality of their music for a relatively new act – they formed only earlier this year. The band claim they are already receiving attention from the production team behind The Black Keys, Jake Bugg, and the Arctic Monkeys. They opened with ‘Mindset’, a relatively relaxed number, but not without impact. Much of the set followed suit, with memorable melodies, exciting riffs, and interesting and changing instrumental textures. Unfortunately, the sound was too loud, and as such the lead singer had to overcompensate slightly, however, the band were aware of this, and even made a joke about it. Otherwise, the sound quality was of a very high standard, despite the somewhat awkward layout of the venue, with the band playing to the bar, and the audience positioned on either side.

Overall, it was a great evening of live music, and I felt both acts performed brilliantly. While Leo and the Seraphim impressed me with their professionalism, Ryan Thomas was such a joy to listen to, and I’d recommend their music to anybody, so make sure you check them both out.

Review by Rachael Ward