WAM Live Presents Muddy Elephant At Friars Court, Warrington 

Friday, 24th June 2022 

Another stellar lineup from WAM/Warrington Music tonight; Muddy Elephant deliver every time I’ve seen them and with support from Hill Cliffe, who are much talked about locally at the moment, and the Seminals, who I’ve been dying to get to see, it promises to be quite some night.

It’s a sunny evening and arriving early it’s very pleasant in the Friars Court beer garden/courtyard area for a few pre gig drinks whilst inside sound check is going on. It’s a great pub venue, centrally located in Warrington town centre; it’s somewhat of a hangout for the local music scene, usually, it’s full of musicians and creatives. Tonight’s live music is to be held indoors, where there’s always a great atmosphere.

First Support – The Seminals

Bobby Muscart – Vocals, Owen Egan – Lead Guitar, Lewis Roberts – Rhythm Guitar, Charlie Fogg – Bass, Arron Flynn – Drums

I’ve been trying to get to see this band for too long now, so I’m excited for this set tonight. Beginning in what can only be described as a tidal wave of crashing guitars and punk style screams, immediately I see this is gonna be some set! Initially, it’s a throbbing, pulsating, heavy, raw sound, very metal. It’s great and it’s loud but then we have an undertone of classic rock, especially with the guitars…despite the punk-like scream and heavy metal roars, which do make our spines tingle, the vocal is mellow. The feels are changing from song to song and it’s all brilliant. We now have a real 90s sound…think Ocean Colour Scene, Reef, and even Top Loader at times. The sounds start off steady for the most part, with a driving beat; the layers build and build. We have a classic indie vibe with that 90s alt vibe, layered with classic rock, almost Americana feels but with a metal edge. It really works and it’s very clever. 

(The Seminals_Credit: Christabel)

It’s got so hot in here, it’s packed and the feels are up. As the set continues it gets really upbeat, it’s a Madchester/mad for it feel. It’s all going on! It’s Happy Mondays meets a mellow vocal – smooth, rich and even tones; the voice works really well against this intricate sound. It’s actually amazing! Very tight sound and a super energetic and genuine performance. The guys from Muddy Elephant are in the moshpit, the crowd have surged forward, it’s bouncing!

During the final song Bobby, our front man, is off stage and in the crowd, dancing and singing from the crowd. This set has been immense…one hell of a show – loved it, and cannot wait to see the Seminals again very soon!

Set List:, Alice, Peasants with money, One more day, #10 Dream, All on you, Now it’s over, Morning light, Runcorn town

2nd Support – Hill Cliffe 

Owen Hughes – Vocal/guitar, Henry Noble – Bass/backing vocal , Jake Williams – Drums , Miguel Ferrier – Guitar

This is another band I’ve yet to see and another I’ve heard a lot about. It’s another no nonsense, straight in and at ’em start with Hill Cliffe; totally different vibes from what we’ve already seen tonight. The first song evokes real Jesus and Mary Chain feels. It’s good, strong, characterful stuff, very atmospheric, eerie almost, musically a very clean sound, very well rehearsed. It’s now shoulder to shoulder packed in here –  this band have a decent following by the looks, and it’s bouncing. The vocal is deep, clear and loud, almost monotone, dulcet – almost Tim Booth sounding. It works well with this intricate musical sound. Real crash, indie anthem feeling, shimmering guitar lines, then a strumming, almost Cast sounding sound, then jangly and complex, real moments of sounding like the Cure. The tempo is steady and upbeat, this is one feel good set. 

(Hill Cliffe_Credit: Christabel)

With the combination of so many genres, influences and musical styles it’s completely captivating and is going down superbly well with the hungry crowd. With the addition of some spoken word it’s changed direction again, very Talking Heads. It’s such an interchangeable and richly diverse style, it’s interesting, holds our attention and is really listenable…we can’t keep still either. Woven into the sound are 80s and 90s feels. I’m genuinely impressed. It’s very different, very fresh and I’m really eager to hear more. I’ll be watching Hill Cliffe closely and will definitely be catching them again – look out for these guys, I think they are ones to watch! Another brilliant set. Thanks, guys.

Setlist:, A hero’s death, When she smiled, Disorder, Forever, Vapour trail, Not anymore, Alphabet, Content, She bangs.

Headline – Muddy Elephant 

Sam Passey – Vocal/guitar, Matt Webster – Bass, Andy Happer – Drums, Carlos Jones – Lead guitar

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of tonight’s headline, but it’s so well deserved. It’s a great set guaranteed when Muddy Elephant play! It’s completely packed out in our venue tonight now, the crowd are right up to the stage edge, you can sense something, we can just feel in the air that it’s all going to go off. It’s an extra special gig tonight, as sadly it’s drummer Andy Happer’s last performance. You can see the guys are really up for this and are keen to make it one to remember.

So, in an utter explosion of energy, screaming guitars and smashing drums, the set begins! That delicious, glittering, glistening, indie pop vibe… the cool, androgynous feel…those low, echoing, even vocals. Yes, People – Muddy Elephant have arrived. 

(Muddy Elephant_Credit: Christabel)

We have an immense stage presence, the guys light up this stage with their aura and creativity. As a frontman Sam oozes style and charisma in that ‘don’t even have to try’, real David Bowie or Brett Anderson way. It’s easy and it’s not forced. The guys are bouncing around on stage, so much energy is thrown in. All 4 members are smiling nonstop throughout the entire set, it’s completely infectious. People are bouncing, singing along, and there’s an electric energy. The vocal is smooth and intense, a real Editors feel, but hints of Elvis. It’s a good sound, skippy beats, thumping bass drum, soaring bass lines – thought provoking, very clever lyrics with an abundance of themes, from saving endangered species to living for the moment. Muddy Elephant really do bring it all, and they play exceptionally well. Musically on point, and performance wise it’s mesmerising, we can’t keep our eyes off them. I do say this every time, but a Muddy Elephant gig always feels like something much bigger, like witnessing something special, like finding something that will go on to fill huge venues. It’s quirky, it’s cool and it’s different. Guitar distortion adds to the feel, it’s atmospheric and at times has the feel of an early 90s pre game Suede gig. Honestly, this band just seem to get better and better. 

Tonight they’ve given their all, they’ve done Andy proud and he sure smashed the hell out of that drum kit too. The heat levels are soaring and it’s been one blistering, sizzling performance. Safe to say you guys smashed it again! What a band! What a set! What a show! Our best wishes of course go to Andy Happer, drummer extraordinaire, we wish you every success. Thank you yet again, guys, for smashing that musical ball well out of the park!

Set List:, Killer Bee, Cucumbers, As it was (cover), Alice, When in Rome, Learn to Fly, Tusk, Lonely, Time is running out (cover, Helter Skelter

Words: Janet Harding 

Images: Christabel

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