Way back at the beginning of October, I attended possibly one of my favourite gigs of the year. Tucked round the corner from Bumper, myself and a few friends hobbled down the cobbles to The Pilgrim, which was bursting with punters and friendly faces eagerly awaiting the nights gig put on by Rogue Gallery Promotions.  After grabbing our pints we headed up the iron staircase to the even smaller room and settled ourselves in what space we could find. The Pilgrim is a cosy little pub, with wooden booths, long benches, cheap drinks, complete with its own sheltered beer garden. Upstairs is even smaller, so for you claustrophobics and people who suffer from anxiety bare that in mind,  but do not let it put you off, it creates the perfect gig atmosphere, one you do not want to miss out on, ever.

   First up was the lovely Sophie Anderson with soaring silky vocals and catchy melodies had the audience in her grasp in no time.  Her hooks from her songs 'The Sisters', The Doctor' and 'Jack and Bells' had people clapping and toe tapping along in no time, there was pretty melancholic change to the atmosphere with the soaring melody of 'Fools Game' that pulled on the heart strings. Gracing us with a final rendition of Janis Joplin's 'Me & My Bobby McGee' that set the bar for the rest of the night



 Next up where, The Sky, unfortunately, at this time I took a time out to have a breather from the some what crowded room, what a mistake. Catching their last song I was absolutely blown away and  gutted I'd missed the set. Vocals reminiscent of a younger Lennon and melodies sending you back to a place with marmalade skies or generally in the middle of field, cider in hand in the sunshine. Jimmy Moon of Jimmy & The Revolvers branded them as 'his new favourite band, best keep an eye on them then ladies and gents.




    I ended up missing the majority of The Sneaky Nixons after getting caught up in conversation with a couple of lovelies at the bar and a couple of one too many tequila shots. I ended up in the beer garden  for a cool down, it gets pretty toasty upstairs pretty quickly and I'm a wuss. However, I heard they went down a storm and have them on my gig list very soon!! (sorry guys!)





    With enough time to get the bevs in, compose myself and back up the stairs, Jimmy & The Revolvers  fronted by Jay Rehm with Kurt Riley on bass, Jimmy Moon on guitar and Ash Michael on drums. hit the stage. A little bit later than planned but by no means derailing the buzz around them, the band were met with huge cheers and a crowd swarming to the front. With no distinction between stage and floor the crowd almost ended up on top of the band but that just made it all that more fun. Bringing back the sound of the 60's merseybeat  through their tunes, 'So far Away,' 'You're Not Alone,' 'Sunday Morning' and two songs sung by Kurt 'Little Black Book of Love' and 'The Weatherman' the crowd was swinging and singing along full force. Mid set the crowd were treated to  nothing short of a mosh pit and a good old jig in the form of  a heavier sound from the lads that had a celtic undertone to it, called 'Everytime.' Blasting the  gritty guitars and crashing drums throughout the bar  showed the Revolvers 
have plenty more to offer up.




     Being over curfew didn't seem to stop the band who had one song left, but the venue had other plans. Now understandably, if you're over curfew a venue will cut down your set but storming in unplugging a mic and guitar lead half way through a song, after the band announced it was their last and ending up in a fist fight is NO way to act, especially when that headliner packed out your venue in the first place. Philly Moore of Raw City stepped up to lend a hand, howling the chorus of 'Whistle for my love' and the band and crowd carried on regardless. An electric ending to a fantastic evening. These are a band that are guaranteed to give you a good time and get you leaving in high spirits.  And leave in high spirits I did.
                                Photo by Mick Flaherty