Sebastian and the Poor Valley Marauders

Live EP launch

plus support from Jon Keats and April Moon, with Sarah Kinsey

at the Cavern Club, Liverpool 

Tuesday 18th April 2023

We’re in Liverpool on this sunny April night, at the iconic and world-famous Cavern Club. Situated on Mathew Street in the heart of this musically rich city, it’s a fitting tribute for tonight’s event – we have a full lineup of Liverpool-based artists, and it’s sure to be a good one! Local legend and Scouser through and through, Mark ‘Sebastian’ D’Lacey, brings his own brand of Americana, with guest vocalists and a sterling set of support acts. All country, gypsy rock, blues in style, it’s a vibrant collection and one we’ve really been looking forward to. And in a first for the Cavern Club,  tonight’s event is to be filmed and live-streamed, in its entirety, across the globe!

(Jon Keats_Credit: Lucy Bell)

First Support: John Keats Band

Jon Keats – vocals and acoustic guitar, Paul Jones – guitar, Tony Coburn – bass, Charlie Skeggs – drums, Barney Taylor – piano/keys, Lisa Tomlinson – backing vocals.

It’s a different set-up in the Live Lounge here at the Cavern Club tonight. It’s been laid out with tables and seats on the usual, all standing, in front of the stage area. It has a really relaxed but intimate feeling. Proceedings are started off tonight by Jon Keats and, in true country style, a very sharp, clear and clean performance and the sound is incredible. The vibe is relaxed, but with a sing-along feel; people are swaying, and it’s very well received. Feel-good vibes, catchy guitar riffs; strong beats drive and the vocal is perfectly suited to this country rock style. With powerful guitar strumming and the light and mellow but very descriptive voice, this is a perfect start to a celebration of all things Americana, country and folk, blues and gypsy rock. Slower tempo songs tug at the heartstrings, very heartfelt and full of emotion, quite moving in fact. It’s so atmospheric, it’s reminiscent of long road trips on hazy days down dusty roads with mountains in the distance and diners at the roadside. Brilliant set which really set the tone and transported us to another place!  I enjoyed this immensely.

Set List: Yesterday Was Beautiful, Any Man Would Do the Same, Without You, Now She’s Gone, Standing In Line, Meet Me At The Sea, Still Waters, Leaving Love Alone, Out Of Sight, Morning Light.

(April Moon_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Second Support: April Moon

Jaimè April – vocals, acoustic guitar and stomp box, Jason Moon – electric guitar and vocals.

Next up, an utter delight of country style in what I can only describe as the most sunshine-filled performance I think I’ve ever seen! Canadian duo, April Moon, performing a blue grass acoustic set, which from the very start is fun-filled, kooky and cute as a button! More high vibrations, and really feel-good, vocal harmonies are exquisite. The female vocal is sweet, refined and dripping with honey, perfectly complimented by the male vocal which is soft and mellow with a nasal quality and filled with character. Stage presence is immense: so much energy and vibrancy, we just can’t keep our eyes off this pair! Song themes are explained and short stories are told between tracks, with genuine, bubbly and very likeable charm. The content is quirky, tongue-in-cheek, witty, stories of rising above gossip, storms and cow autopsies (could you find more original content than that?). A set that truly shone, with real blue grass feels, and sweet country music verging at times on a slight blues or gospel sound. Absolutely wonderful, impossible to keep still, a spectacular performance!

Set List: Mr Jones’s Children, And The Rain Will Wash Us Clean, Mama I Told You Not To Worry, Days Go By, The Lord Hath Taken Away, Robert Cain, I Love Rock N Roll (Joan Jett cover), Jungle Drums, One Of Us, Was Lying, Bloody Suzy. 

(Sarah Kincey_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Third Support: Sarah Kinsey

Sarah Kinsey – vocals, Les Walker – acoustic guitar

An impromptu extra set now, it’s decided on the night that Sarah will perform a couple of songs before the headline. The vocal here is breathtaking! Very strong and powerful and has an epic range! Fresh feeling, very soulful or jazz-like. It’s a real showcase for her songwriting, two brilliant original songs, and Sarah owns this stage. An excellent addition to proceedings, such a far-reaching voice. simply stunning. I’m very keen to see more!

Set List: Don’t need a doctor, Right now.

(Sebastian and the Poor Valley Marauders_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Headliner: Sebastian and the Poor Valley Marauders 

Mark ’Sebastian’ D’Lacey – vocals/guitar, Ben Parkinson – Piano/ Vocals, Johnny Larson – Keyboards/Vocals, Steven Bonacio – Bass, Jake Simons – Drums, Perri, Aleyne Hughes – Vocals, Alison Crawford – Vocals, Leonie Jokobi – Vocals, Jo Pue Richards – Fiddle/vocals

So, an acoustic performance opens our set tonight. Very accomplished guitar playing, accompanied by fiddle, the sound is pure and clean and it’s a performance that induces goosebumps. The vocal is earthy and full, filled with depth and blues tones. Again as an audience, we’re captivated. Once the full band arrive on stage and our 3 female backing vocalists take their places, this set explodes – such a rich, multi-dimensional sound. It’s shimmery and light but has real depth and so many layers of sound. It’s quite rousing. The powerhouse of female vocals alongside Mark’s awe-inspiring gnarly, textured and raspy voice, takes us to a whole other level. This is a real show. The standing area at the back has come alive, people are dancing, singing, and clapping, It’s a real barn dance/hoe-down kind of a vibe and it’s so uplifting. Personally, I can’t stop smiling (haven’t stopped throughout). It’s been that kind of event. There’s just something about Americana and country that feels like such a celebration. A very full and varied set list that truly showcases Mark’s wonderful vocal range, with line-up changes and guest vocals from our backing singers, each bringing a different sound and feel and making songs incredible. Real atmospheric, old-fashioned rhythm and blues in some songs, then a wild, Romanian gypsy and circus feel during others; from New Orleans blues to country folk feels then back to gypsy rock. You certainly get your money’s worth!

When you experience this live it’s the stuff that blows you away, it’s on another scale. All stops have been pulled out; it’s been a special night and a joy to have been witness to. At times it felt almost like a Jools Holland show – like a giant jam session, of the highest quality. Moments have been moving, breathtaking, fun, entertaining and above all inspiring. It’s addictive, We just don’t want it to end, we want more and more. With clever lyrics, humour, and scene setting, the songwriting is excellent, A whole concept is created, a whole ambience…a feeling. Exemplary performance by the most energetic and enthusiastic musicians and singers. The passion oozes from on stage! Liverpool sure has some talent. I implore people to go see these bands! It’s a night I’ll treasure the memories of. You all shone so brightly tonight, and bathing in your light was an honour.

Set List: He Came From The Hills, I Couldn’t Speak, Brand New Fool, Angel Eyes, Holding My Breath, All The Pretty Lies, Fire In Her Eyes, The Beau From New Orleans, Gypsy Soul, I Remember Dancing, Boudoir Stomp, I Forgive You, It’s You, Be My Baby, This Is What The Blues Look like, Sing, Too Far Gone

Review by Janet Harding and photography by Lucy Bell

To view the entire photo gallery, click the numbers below the last bottom photo on the right or click on an image to see it larger and scroll through.