Love Music Live presents Chris Helme (The Seahorses)

‘Do It Yourself’ 

25th Anniversary solo tour at Warrington Irish Club

Friday 10th March 2023 

So tonight sees another iconic musical frontman perform at what has now become the go-to venue in Warrington for intimate and stripped-down gigs, the Irish Club. With none other than Chris Helme of the legendary band ‘The Seahorses‘ headlining tonight it’s sure to be a lively one and the perfect setting for a sing-along nostalgia trip with outstanding indie anthems. All standing tonight and another sell out, it’s a completely different feel. Already it’s busy early doors, you can just feel that everyone really is up for this. There is an air of excitement within our venue tonight. Supporting is Warrington-based Paul Nixon, known very well locally and the perfect opener for this type of event. Having seen Paul a good few times, I can honestly say I’m looking forward to his set equally as much as our stunning headline tonight.

Paul  Nixon – Support 

Performing an acoustic set with all original songs we have local lad, Paul Nixon. It’s real indie rock feels, and let me tell you – this is some vocal: strong, yet mellow, rasping, smoky, quiet then loud, long notes with real husky gravel tones. Very watchable on stage and the material is earthy, full of feeling and character. Heart and soul is poured into this performance and real emotion is communicated easily with such a multi-faceted voice. 

(Paul  Nixon)

Passionately strumming his guitar, our venue is filled with real indie sounds, none more so than ‘Love is a flower’. People are clapping, it’s got a real anthem feel to it and people are singing along. A completely riveting set that’s gone down incredibly well and Paul announces he’s decided to throw in an extra (added extras always hit the spot). It’s a cover of “Purple Rain”, which Paul completely owns and manages to put a whole new feel to it, making it entirely his own, and as always a brilliant set, 

Whether Paul Nixon is solo acoustic or with his full band, he’s well worth checking out. Paul headlines Warrington Irish Club with his band and some special guest support on Friday 23rd June. It’s not to be missed.

Setlist: Fortune Favour Me Home, Don’t Look Down, Love Is A Flower, Purple Rain (Prince)

Chris Helme – Headline

“Do it yourself“, the debut album by ‘The Seahorses‘, was released in May 1997, entering the UK charts at number 2. It went on to reach platinum status and produced 2 top ten hits and numerous top 20 hit singles. So, to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of this gargantuan and well-loved album, tonight frontman of The Seahorses, Chris Helme, is to perform the DIY album in its entirety…

There really is a buzz in the air tonight at the Irish Club; there’s a lively energy and right from the beginning of this set there is mass dancing, singing, chanting and clapping. Chris is instantly likeable, very genuine and gives a lot of time to explaining the themes of songs, how they started, the ideas and thought processes, how, when and where they were written. Then, once performing… well each song is quite enchanting. 

Seated casually on a stool up on stage, a glass of wine beside him, it’s a very casual and laid-back presence, which is very warming and down to earth. It’s an inclusive set, it feels like a gathering rather than an event as he banters with the crowd, and with razor-sharp wit cuts hecklers right down to size. During songs the entire house sings along, it’s a wonderful atmosphere; you can genuinely feel a true love of this music in the room. The vocal of course is easily identifiable and wonderfully familiar, like a blanket of nostalgia being wrapped around us, well controlled, full and crystal clear, with a great volume to it that reaches out touching every one of us. The feels are of laughter, joviality and having a great time; it’s about reminiscing and celebrating this iconic album, songwriting and his times with the Seahorses which it’s apparent mean the world to him. Between songs is joking and laughter, impromptu impressions of Bob Dylan and Ronan Keating which fuel the light-hearted energy.

(Chris Helme)

Stand-out moments naturally are the obvious hits “Love is the law”, ‘You can talk to me” and “Love me and leave me” and when sung…honestly, hairs stand on end. It’s explained how Chris started off busking, which is possibly why tonight is such a success. The performance feels really sincere; it’s raw and natural yet at the same time has a refinement and is polished, completely on point and also legendary. Chris tells us how he feels the lyrics in ‘The boy in the picture’ – safe to say, I think we all felt it during his performance. Personally, I got goose pimples, the slight grate becoming present in his vocals, such a heartfelt and haunting feel to this track and a vulnerability which was conveyed superbly. 

Finishing with an encore that consisted of Chris not leaving the stage and re-entering, with “Blinded by the Sun” this was the climax and ultimate crowd-pleasing track … Come on, we’ve all come for this one! This set ends with the biggest and most rousing sing-along of the night, I mean football terrace worthy! That magical clarity in Chris’s voice carried throughout, engulfing this venue in 90s feels, high vibes and excellent sounds. 

He finishes to utterly rapturous applause, whoops and cheers, and I can safely say this has been one joyful, happy-making and stand out  set… Thank you, Chris Helme, for creating such humour and musical magic on a rainy Warrington Friday night. One utter legend – end of!

Setlist: I want you to know, Standing on your head, Suicide drive, Love is the law, Love me and leave me, 1999, Hello, Round the universe, Happiness is egg-shaped, The boy in the picture, Encore – Blinded by the sun.

Review by Janet Harding