This Feeling & Scott’s Sports presents Mark Frith
This Feeling in association with Scott’s Sports presents Mark Frith with special guests, Rosellas, Rivver and Cavelia at The Boulevard, Wigan
Friday 1st April 2022
Always great events, This Feeling present local talent who are always worthy and ones to keep an eye on. Wigan has a brilliant music scene, especially for indie/alt. The musicians and bands emerging from and based here are not to be missed.
I’ve only been to the Boulevard once before but was suitably impressed and have been keen to go back. It’s in the centre of Wigan’s town, in the heart of the main street, right by 2 train stations, and very accessible. A basement club (always the best for smaller gigs), we climb down the stairs and enter a cool bar area. Instantly we pick up on the vibe; it’s inclusive, it’s welcoming; a great atmosphere and indie tunes are banging. We find the performance area through double doors to the rear of the building; it’s a great, open area with a large stage, seated sections – all with a great view of the stage – and a large, front of stage, standing area. Honestly, this is a brilliant venue for live music, up close but gets a good crowd for those gig feels, and the sound quality is excellent. It was under extreme threat of closure during the height of the pandemic but let’s be truly thankful this treasure of a venue survived and is stronger than ever. I for one plan on being here much more in the future.
It’s a stellar lineup tonight. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing local lads, Rivver, a fair few times and I’ve previously seen Rosellas. It’s to be my first time seeing Mark Frith, but I’ve heard great things so I’m looking forward to this headline, about which there’s quite a buzz in here! Apologies to Cavelia, who sadly we missed due to long train delays, but I’m determined to see them again as soon as I possibly can as I hear their set was very special.
Rivver_Credit: Luellapix
Matthew Barber – vocals/guitar, Tim Glynn – drums, James Snow – bass, Jamie Mitchinson – lead guitar, Adam Lloyd – rhythm guitar
So for Wigan based, 5 piece, indie band Rivver, tonight is to be the first performance with their new lineup, showcasing 2 new members: Jamie Mitchinson on lead guitar and Adam Lloyd on rhythm guitar, after former lead guitarist Danny Harrison’s departure. It all gels together very well!
In what can only be described as an explosion of happiness and crashing waves of indie sounds and tropical vibes, Rivver launch into their set. This is exactly what you get with Rivver – an endorphin-filled injection of ‘feel good. It’s joyous, it’s uplifting: a powerhouse vocal with utterly shimmering guitar lines, delightful, skippy drumbeats, often the addition of keys and those sublime bass lines. Very well put together, brilliantly played and always popular…this crowd are up on their feet and dancing.
One brilliant band to see live – at times quite retro sounding, but cutting edge and bang up to date, the best of indie pop and a real ‘Smiths feeling’ guitar running through. The addition of new instruments/band members is seamless. Drawing on themes from growing up locally in Wigan, it’s very clever songwriting, very original, cheery arrangements with a full on, unwavering vocal from frontman, Matty – rich deep tones, very well sung. On stage, we get the sense of real mates having a crack and loving what they do. It’s cheeky chappie banter and joking and great interaction. A really likeable bunch of lads – very genuine and a real infectious brand of fun and music. I just love Rivver!
SetList: Blue Lagoon, Elena, Smile back, Stargazing, Fever, Someone New, Issues.
Rosellas_Credit: Luellapix
Drew – vocals/guitar, Luis – keys/backing vocals, Evan – guitar, Ollie – bass, Mark – drums
Rosellas are an exciting, 5 piece, Manchester based band. They combine a full range of styles and genres to cleverly create their own sound: indie, rock, alt, electro, psych, and last time I saw them a real cool Britannia/Britpop kind of a vibe. Fresh from a tour of the south, including numerous dates in London, these guys are making waves right now. It’s well deserved and the band have quite some following too. The musicianship is exquisite, very tight…the Rosellas have honed their craft very well. Guitar driven, with light, even vocals, that slight Mancunian accent that sits so well with indie, anthemic type songs, crunching bass lines, but overall a luminescent feel, a 60s vibe with those keys and oftentimes an 80s electro undertone. It’s brilliant, a treat for the senses. When I last saw Rosellas I was struck by a Manchester, ‘mad for it’, Oasis at Knebworth kind of feel, which was brilliant.
It’s different tonight…equally brilliant, but different…it’s more psychedelic and organic, late 60s rock vibe …and it’s amazing! This visibly demonstrates the huge range of sound this band are capable of and how diverse a style they have. A real curveball tonight was the cover of New Order’s ‘True Faith’ which they really made their own, and the crowd devoured it wholeheartedly! A very active performance tonight – all band members on the move throughout this jam packed set. Very laid back, great interaction and very enjoyable. The guys seem pleased the crowd are having such a great time. Rosellas are the kind of band whose music you don’t just hear, you feel it, it really brings something extra. It’s memorable and it leaves you needing to see them again very soon. I’m gonna say it…my new favourite band!! I cannot wait to see Rosellas again. I’m sure they’ll surprise me again with their creative fluidity and ever evolving style, but I know I can rest assured that it’s always stand out, nonstop, brilliant playing, epic, original, differing sounds and one hell of a performance. You blew our minds tonight, Rosellas…thank you!
SetList:Common Ground, Before the Storm, Damaged, True Faith (New Order), Over, Born Under a Cloud.
Mark Frith_Credit: Luellapix
Mark Frith – Headliner
Well, we have quite some headliner tonight…and that’s reflected by how solidly packed this venue now is. It’s home turf for Mark Frith, hailing from Wigan, so it’s to be expected, and it’s a real treat to see someone of this standing in such a small, local venue. There really is a buzz in the air now as the set begins… it’s shoulder to shoulder stage front now; it’s got the feel of any huge, sell out venue, and let’s face it, with former band, the Troubadours, Mark Frith has played festivals and toured countrywide so it’s to be expected.
The set begins, and instantly it goes off. It has a really luminous, summery feel to its sound: an acoustically driven sound with multi dimensional layers built upon it; a real, raw, strumming sound, but with refinement, glistening pure indie of old lines. It’s very crisp, concise and clear sounding; very, very reminiscent of mid to late 90s indie. I’m reminded of Cast and Razorlight.
There’s also a distinct 60s sound – that live band, Mersey basement sound. It’s a sing along, ‘everyone’s included’ atmosphere. The crowd are loving it, no one’s standing still, everyone’s singing all the words. A girl is up on stage dancing, it’s so inclusive. I can honestly say the people tonight have been genuinely lovely and so welcoming, so to be now in this, what feels like a local sing along in some cosy pub backroom, is amazing and it’s topped off with that excellent refinement, that top notch sound.
Mark Frith_Credit: Luellapix
Brilliant sunshine vocals, tuneful, with real clarity, happy, high notes reached with ease, a real textured, layered sound with a vast vocal range. At times we have hints of psych, rock n roll, and complex guitar. It’s nostalgia-fuelling, familiar and real earworm tunes. All these influences and eras bind together to bring an intricate yet fresh sound. It’s a great sound, quite simply it’s brilliant. Real energy and passion is put into this performance, it’s nonstop, great audience interaction. We’re genuinely all having the time of our lives! Thank you to the brilliant and legendary Mark Frith, it was one epic performance!
It’s been a nonstop night of pure entertainment, creativity and music. Wigan really is a great place to visit if live music is your thing. To all the bands, the venue, staff and the promoters tonight I’d like to thank you for one night to remember!
I’d finally like to officially welcome the 2 newest members of Rivver, Jamie Mitchinson and Adam Lloyd, and I’d like to wish former Rivver guitarist and legend, Danny Harrison, all the best.
Review by Janet Harding
Photography by Luellapix
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