Venue:
O2 Ritz, Manchester
Date: 23/01/2016
As good a gig as I’ve seen for a long time. My mate got me a ticket for this 6 months ago and it’s kind of crept up on me. I knew Southeastern pretty well but hadn’t really checked out his latest Something More Than Free until a few weeks ago when I had it on heavy rotation. What a fantastic lyricist! Blue collar themes of work hard / play hard, love & loss, dreams and harsh reality. The sound was great, perfectly clear and never too loud. The band are all a singer-songwriter could ask for, and could all sing back-up when required. Jason sang his heart out, and played acoustic and electric guitar very well. In a 1:45 set we got a little bit of twin guitar southern rock, some Crazy Horse stylee epic jam, but mostly just top notch Americana singer songwriting
The audience:
A sell out. Lots of 50 plus, with a high percentage of spectacles wearers. During Elephant the audience were completely silent
It made me think..
I’ve seen a lot of gigs over the years, maybe over 800. But I haven’t seen many better than this. It was a total delight. I wonder was Springsteen like this in his early days; a small tight band made up from his mates? Lovely to see a band who obviously like each other and get so much enjoyment from performing together
Very good review Vince. J.I. is a great singer/songwriter, In have his live LP and he is just as you describe. `Springsteen in his early days`, maybe, J.I. will be around for a long time also and I for one look forward to what he will produce in years to come. I would have loved to be there but a family function prevented my attendance,
I would love to have been there too – didn’t even know about it. Great artist who just seems to keep getting better.
He was brilliant in London on Friday too. Highlight for me was the climax of the main set – Children Of Children. Totally intense and hugely emotional. I know many people sneer at the idea of “authenticity” in music, but this came from the heart and was absolutely brilliant.
Steve, I wish I’d known you wanted to go. You could have got in to The Forum. A friend managed to get a ticket last Wednesday from TicketMaster.
Saw him in Bristol last week. Still buzzing. Sublime evening.
Great show in Manchester, felt very much like an artist on the rise. Was lucky enough to see him at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds last time around, he’s bound for bigger things these days.
I’ve read lot’s about him but I haven’t heard a single tune yet. Care to upload?
This one always gives me goosebumps .Then try independence day then go for a whole concert.
He is great. Playing here in March and really looking forward to it.