Celebrating the release of his ninth album, We Will Always Be The Way We Were, Jack Savoretti takes the stage at Circuit with a guitar, along with his buddy, Danish pianist Nikolaj Torp Larsen.
In such an intimate venue, Jack is quite chatty and tells the story behind each of the songs, as well as answering questions from the audience and performing snippets of some of the songs they request.
He starts off with a story about songwriting and how a friend commented that Jack had rediscovered “his sound”. Describing it as a “fuck you” song, he kicks off with album opener The Making of You.
Sharing the grief of losing his father a few years ago, Jack explains that this next song was his outlet to capture the feelings. “How I wish I could call you now,” he croons during Can Hurt Sometimes. It’s an emotional tune with a profound meaning but doesn’t feel too heavy.
We are serenaded with more new songs from the album, including the title track We Will Always Be The Way We Were, interspersed with more stories.
He describes Miles Kane as a “brother from another mother” who he met a few years ago at an awards ceremony. He said they were both in the “afternoon of life”, in other words, mid-life crisis. They wrote Bada Bing, Bada Boom together on Jack’s Italian album, and collaborated on the new album. He relates a conversation that they had. “Why do we do it?” pondered Jack. “We do it for love,” replied Miles. This leads into their co-written epic Do It For Love.
A fan in the front row asks about his last gig in Kingston which was amazing and the microphone broke (we’re not sure how these things are related) but Jack laughs and says he uses them everyday but has no idea how they work! Someone else asks Jack if he is looking forward to playing the Royal Albert Hall the following week. “So much,” he affirms. He talks about what an honour it is to play there.
As someone who didn’t know much about Jack Savoretti before this show, I have become a fan. I love the new album, he is a great songwriter with an enchanting voice, and seems to be very personable. Also intrigued by Nikolaj who is also an excellent musician and has played on some big hits. It was a fantastic show!
Bouncing onstage, frontman Roy Stride, was full of energy and enthusiasm. He tells us upfront what to expect, one old song, and then one brand new song from Scouting for Girls brand new album These Are The Good Days. Also on stage are bassist Greg Churchouse, drummer Peter Ellard and guitarist Connor McDonald (who strongly resembles Alan Cumming from where I was standing). We are told that we, the audience, are the fifth member of Scouting For Girls for the evening.
Scouting For Girls
The band kick off with the super catchy Heartbeat (“every time that we meet, I skip a heartbeat”). True to their word, they follow this with the first track and title track from their new album, These Are The Good Days. A groovy, upbeat, optimistic number (“we’ll look back and say they were golden days”).
An old, novelty song I Wish I Was James Bond is played next. Roy moves from keyboards to the piano onstage, and later also picks up a guitar. His energy is infectious. Another new song, Don’t You Go Solo, track number five from the new album, did they mention that they had a new album out?
The classic This Ain’t A Love Song, is followed by track three from the new album Waiting For Your Love. A frenetic, heavy number.
Scouting For Girls
Roy recalls that before a previous tour they asked people to vote for which song they wanted to hear, and the song that got more votes that the rest put together was Posh Girls. There’s a bit of banter about turning to your friend and deciding which of you is the posh one! Then it’s track two of the new album (did they mention that they had a new album These Are The Good Days?!), Get What You Give. This is a lively pop tune and sounds perfect for a road trip on a hot day.
The band take a moment to film live footage for social media, and have us, the fifth band member, cheering away.
Here we all are!
Another old one, Elvis Ain’t Dead merges into an Elvis classic Can’t Help Falling In Love. The band break from the old-new formula that they set out, and play another old one, Michaela Strachan. The grand finale is the iconic She’s So Lovely.
Scouting For Girls
This is the first time I’ve seen Scouting For Girls after nearly 20 years but they have so much energy and are so cheerful, I left the venue feeling uplifted and having had so much fun.
The Feeling are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Twelve Stops and Home. I get the feeling that they are surprised by the size of the stage at the Limelight (compared to other venues on the tour, its much smaller than Shepherds Bush Empire anyway) as frontman Dan Gillespie-Sells refers to the drummer, Paul Stewart, being ‘halfway up his arse’ like in the days of their earliest shows. Also on the stage are bassist Richard Jones, guitarist Kevin Jeremiah, and keyboardist Ciaran Jeremiah.
The Feeling
As an album anniversary show, the set list is wonderfully predictable. Arriving on stage to a recording of what sounds like a glowing review, it reminds us of the wonderful songs that await us. The Feeling are one of those bands where you definitely know more songs than you think you do.
Starting with I Want You Now, swiftly followed by the wonderful Never Be Lonely and the catchy Fill My Little World, the band sound incredible. So optimistic! It’s definitely a glass half full kinda day.
The Feeling
There’s a lot of swapping in guitars through the set and there is a shout out from the crowd for guitar tech Gary. “Guitar tech Gary is a legend,” agrees Dan. “As is our other guitar tech Josh.” He then thanks them, along with sound engineers Duncan and Rhys, who’ve been with them on this tour, celebrating this final night. Dan also quips that when the band started out, the roadies were older, cynical, heavy drug users and the band were young eager whippersnappers bouncing around like bunnies, but these days the roles are reversed as the band are on drugs (for bad backs) and the roadies are the bouncy whippersnappers.
Next up, Kettle’s On, leading into Sewn. I could sing along with every word. This is followed by Anyone and Strange. I start to wonder if the entire album was released as singles, or at least if album tracks had radio airplay, as they are all so familiar.
The band do actually bounce like bunnies for the intro to Love It When You Call. It’s a little more chilled for Rosé (no pun intended), and picks up again for Same Old Stuff, Helicopter and Blue Piccadilly.
The band look like they are going to leave the stage but rearrange themselves on the tiny stage so Dan is behind the keyboards and he does a solo of the final song on the album, Miss You.
Dan’s solo
Given the backstage door seems to go outside (to their tour bus) rather than to a backstage area, we are told to imagine that they have left the stage and returned for the encore.
The aptly named I Thought It Was Over was followed by the even more appropriately titled Still You Want More, from The Feeling’s second and third albums respectively.
They follow this with a fun and chirpy cover version of Video Killed The Radio Star. The finale was Join With Us. The band take a bow and the show is over.
The Feeling
The Feeling were so much fun! So full of energy and refreshing. I’d forgotten what a great debut album they had, and it still sounds incredible aged 20 years.
While The Feeling are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Twelve Stops and Home, Sandi Thom has joined them on tour also celebrating the twentieth anniversary of her debut, number one single, I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair).
Wearing a kilt, starting the set with a harmonica and onstage with guitarist Ben, someone in the crowd asks Sandie if she’s Scottish. “I am,” she says, bemused.
I don’t know many of her songs but she has a powerful, strong voice and I enjoyed her set immensely. She has stage presence, getting the crowd to sing along with Boulder. Another highlight was a stripped back, acoustic version of Guns n Roses classic, November Rain. It’s a really lovely, gentle song, without any drama (the music video of an epic wedding was on music channels frequently in my childhood so I associate it with high drama and heavy guitar solos).
The finale was her best known song, I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair). She explains that it’s as relevant now than it was then – I didn’t know quite what she meant until I heard the words about disillusionment with modern life. The world has gone a bit batshit again.
Supporting The Feeling in Belfast, McGrath is a musician from Donegal with a guitar. He has songs about the mica property scandal and Rotha Mór an tSaoil, which he explains means big wheel of life, and Rotha is an imminent release. There was a cover of The Waterboys and, I think, The Fontaines (well I’m assuming that was why he asked if we like The Fontaines).
Great to have some local sounds to warm up the crowd, and McGrath warmed us up well.
This is the first night of the tour: “A celebration of Britpop, brought to life by Blur’s Alex James, a full orchestra and special guests.”
Chris Moyles’ DJ Set at Britpop Classical
With a heavy dose of nostalgia right from the start, warming up the crowd with a DJ set was Chris Moyles. He stuck to the 90s vibe (arguably a bit wider than Britpop, in my humble opinion), but alluded to avoiding playing anything that was actually in the live set. If Britpop classics by the likes of Dodgy, The Bluetones and Paul Weller, didn’t make it into the Britpop Classical set, I’m sure it must be full of bangers. Chris Moyles played some great tunes to get everyone in the mood, too many to mention. Biggest singalongs were Stereophonics’ Dakota and Weezer’s Buddy Holly. Everyone is now thoroughly warmed up for the main act.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are onstage, along with the band, including Alex James on bass.
The live set opens with an onscreen montage of the British bands that influenced the Britpop era – The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, and more. The band and orchestra kick off with a medley, from Help to My Generation via Waterloo Sunset and Get It On. While this whole event is a blast from the past, this is a lovely nod to Britpop origins in influential British classics.
The band, the orchestra and Simon Fowler
The first guest joins the stage and it’s Simon Fowler from Ocean Colour Scene with a nostalgic rendition of The Riverboat Song.
The second guest joins the stage and it’s Saffron from Republica with a powerful version of Ready To Go. The screen at the back of the stage shows the video, with a younger Saffron belting it out on screen while real-life Saffron matched the energy of the Britpop days.
Saffron from Republica
A strong start, but it would be too much to ask to have all the original vocalists for the entire set. There are various singers brought out for different songs. We heard quintessential Britpop classic Supergrass’ Alright, and then some inspired mashups – Elastica’s Connection with EMF’s Unbelievable; Blur’s Song 2 with Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit (“woo hoo”).
The next segment is introduced by Alex James as homage to a city that is the home of many great British bands, and the screen flashed up a road sign to… Manchester. It wouldn’t be Britpop without reference to the Blur vs Oasis battle of 95, of course.
Rock and Roll Star was followed by Happy Mondays’ Step On, The Charlatans’ The Only One I Know, The Stone Roses’ I Wanna Be Adored (with beautiful bass line) and Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. I’m not sure that these really fall under the label of Britpop, technically, but they are fantastic songs and great to sing along.
Swerving back to upbeat jaunty Britpop, with Blur’s Country House. As a song about excess, Alex James told us that it was about someone at their record label.
Gary Stringer from Reef
Another guest singer joins the stage and it’s Gary from Reef for Place Your Hands. The screen also showing the music video of a younger Reef in an orange box.
This is followed by much-loved indie anthem, You and Me Song (I learnt more than I wanted to about Swedish band, the Wannadies, from Louise Wener’s biography Just For One Day recently).
Parklife with Phil Daniels
More Blur needed: Girls and Boys is followed by a short blast of Chumbawumba’s Tubthumping before turning to Parklife, with Phil Daniels on guest vocals.
For the next song, the orchestra is in the spotlight, and the strings for The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony are just sublime, with a stunning light show at the same time. Alex James swapped his bass guitar for a double bass. This is the pinnacle of Britpop Classical.
Bittersweet Symphony
A piano leads the next song, Creep by Radiohead, a hauntingly beautiful piece.
Alex James quips, in a mockney accent, “Let’sblow the bloody doors off!” this home of British music.
Next is The La’s The She Goes, a Pulp double of Disco 2000 and Common People, and an Oasis double of Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger. A strange choice for a Blur man to end the show on an Oasis song, surely? But of course, there’s more!
The encore sees Alex James pick up the conductor’s baton and lead the orchestra with I Vow To Thee My Country, with a slide show of Great British institutions, including this very venue. Very patriotic.
Conductor Alex James
All the guests return to stage for the grande finale of Blur’s The Universal. Another song where the strings are prominent and it sounds lush with the full orchestra. Streamers are released and everyone celebrates in a wonderful first night of the tour.
All the guests
The set list was magnificent, every song was a singalong favourite, and heavy on the nostalgia. I would have liked the orchestra turned up a bit. The guest vocalists singing their own songs was superb and while having different singers was necessary as it would haven been impossible to get all the original vocalists, it felt a bit like listening to a covers band, at times.
Overall, it was a clever idea, well executed, but the best songs were those that featured orchestra parts anyway – Bittersweet Symphony and The Universal – so I feel like the orchestra could have been more prominent. More classical in the Britpop Classical please!
Magic Seas are a hidden gem I discovered at the London Merch Market in January. Brothers James and John Prudence recorded with Mark Gardener from Ride at his OX4 Sound studio, and their music has been described as ‘enchanting’, ‘atmospheric indie’ and ‘dream pop’. I picked up a copy of their third album From This View and was mesmerised by their unique sound – it washes over you and draws you in. So, I arranged a chat with them to find out more…
Who are Magic Seas?
Formed in 2017, Magic Seas released a handful of singles before putting out a split EP with The Cult of Free Love in 2019. They describe these early tracks as helping them find their feet and define their sound, eventually leading to their 2022 debut album Paint the Waves.
“We grew up in quite a musical household, so there were always musical instruments at home,” James reflects about their formative years. “We both played in other bands when we were younger, but with Magic Seas, it’s always been me and John.”
Both brothers sing and play guitar – John on acoustic and James on electric. In the studio, they also use a drum machine, with James adding keyboard overdubs and John playing harmonica. They’ve recently been exploring more layered vocal harmonies.
Mark Gardener has been involved since their earliest recordings, helping them refine their sound. They credit luck for bringing him on board after sending him a demo.
“A couple of weeks later, Mark just gave us a shout and was just like,‘heard these and can hear something in it’, and that was it really,” James explains. “We were so lucky to have someone like Mark in from the ground up.”
He notes that this is unusual in the streaming era, where most bands must release tracks before getting any attention.
“We’d done a very early recording session with Mark before Magic Seas even played a gig. When we’re in the studio, it’s just the three of us. Mark said a couple of sessions ago that we’re really in the rhythm now, we don’t really need to describe too much what we’re doing or what we want, we’re all pulling in the same direction in the studio, which is amazing.”
Magic Seas also focus on ensuring their recorded sound translates live:
“For us there’s always been the strands that run through one, we’ve always wanted to run through the other. Being able to perform what we’ve done on our records has always been quite important to us.”
They note that playing live between studio sessions helps refine their ideas.
📷 Magic Seas – James and John Prudence
What do Magic Seas Sound Like?
“Our sound has one foot in the 60s, and one foot in 80s indie,” James says. “But really, it’s sort of a melting pot.” He cites influences including Gene Clark, The Delays, Robyn Hitchcock, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and Shack.
“When you trace a lot of indie bands back, particularly from the 80s, 90s, that they’re all influenced by Gene Clark, Velvet Underground and the Byrds, obviously a huge influence for so many people, and obviously Beatles, Stones, Small Faces. All the 90s Britpop stuff as well, we grew up listening to, so that’s been a big early influence.”
“We’ve got a lot of the same taste, but we are influenced by a lot of different stuff, as well,” adds John. “The side of the songwriting is really important to us.” He names Townes Van Zandt and Nick Drake as songwriting influences. “But then, we’ve got sonic influences, there’s a lot of shoegaze stuff, and I think as James says, there’s a bit of a melting pot with that, which is maybe why some people think we’ve got a bit of a unique sound. I think we’re trying to put some different things together there.”
James highlights another key ingredient: “A big influence on our sound is: how much sound can we make just between the 2 of us? It’s not typical guitar, bass and drums, although a lot of those aspects are there, perhaps it’s presented in a slightly different way, which I think is added to maybe standing out a little bit, because there’s a lot of good musicians out there.”
The instrumental tracks on From This View have a soundscape quality.
“Yeah, absolutely,” James agrees. “I think there’s a few elements to our sound. There is that more atmospheric side to it, there’s a more acoustic side to it, as well as the more electric-y kind of sound. I think those moments where it can be more expansive are almost a bit of a palate cleanser, if you’re listening to a record from start to finish. If you have moments that are more atmospheric or an interlude, I think they can give you that depth to it.”
From This View
From This View to In Both Directions
Magic Seas have recently finished recording their fourth album, In Both Directions, which is planned for release this summer. Having enjoyed From This View, I asked how the new record compares. James explains:
“There was a very short gap in between finishing the songs, even writing some of the songs on it, and going to record them. In terms of the last year, musically, personally, there were a few ups and downs, and I think that a lot of that is immediately in this next record. It feels that there’s some highs and lows all happening at the same time. I think sonically, there’s obviously quite a lot of space in what we do, but I think there’s perhaps a little bit more of an openness to the sound. There’s not loads of overdubs or loads of trickery going on. But then again, I suppose there’s also some quite expansive moments on it as well. So it’s a juxtaposition of a lot of different things, but it’s quite simple in the delivery of it.”
He contrasts this with From This View. “That album was very much informed by the year before last, we’d gigged quite a bit, and our sound became more robust from playing more because if you’re a band that people aren’t that familiar with, and you’re playing for half an hour in front of them, you need to try and win them over very immediately.”
“From This View, I’d like to think it’s quite snappy and quite immediate, whereas there’s a few moments on the new record that take a step back and take a deep breath maybe, compared to From This View. But it’s all still quite fresh and John’s just finished the artwork for it. So it’s at that moment where we’ve nervously got one eye towards putting it out in the world and hopefully people enjoy it.”
📷 Magic Seas
Sense of Space
The band name reflects their desire to transport listeners, creating a sense of space with undercurrents running beneath the sound.
John adds, “We’re influenced by movement and nature as well, and that’s probably a part of the name as well in some ways.”
There’s a lot of mention of space in relation to their sound, and they explain that they are influenced by where they live. “Essex has got some really underrated, beautiful countryside and it’s very flat, so you get big skies,” says James.
“It’s not just enjoying that space in the moment, but interpreting it and being influenced by it as well, I think it’s important for us with what we do with Magic Seas,” continues John.
The Merch Market
Magic Seas were put forward by Mark Gardener to play at Tim Burgess’ Tim Peaks Diner at Kendal Calling on 2nd August, which led to their involvement in the London Merch Market in January. What were the highlights?
“Just meeting so many people and seeing so many people just there to buy new bands and check out bands they already liked. It was a really good atmosphere and vibe the whole day. Seeing all the people that did the talks was great. And for us, we felt so grateful to be there and just having people be able to see us, see the name, have a chance to find out about us basically, we’re just so grateful to be there. Great day,” replies John.
“Whenever you get like-minded people in the same space together, it sort of joins dots, doesn’t it?” adds James. “I’m sure everybody that took part will have had that and found new bands and met new people.” I completely agree!
With Magic Seas at the Merch Market
Reminiscing About the 90s
To wrap up the interview, I asked each of them to name a song, album and band that defines the 90s for them.
James: “So I would say, Oasis, What’s the Story (Morning Glory), and Wonderwall. I’m sure, Wonderwall will have spawned thousands of bands, and all sorts. So whilst that’s an obvious answer, I think it’s probably the most honest one. Personally for me because it felt like I could hear those things from the 60s and 70s in it, but where it was happening at the moment, whilst I wasn’t old enough to go to the sort of club nights and the gigs and stuff like that, it still felt I was a little bit of a part of it. And that was probably the first time I felt that really.”
John: “I’m a little bit younger than James, so for me, I remember the Supergrass big singles capturing my energy and imagination. Supergrass, Alright. So, an album, The Bluetones Expecting to Fly album, I remember both of us listening to that and the whole album being a good memory.”
It’s been lovely chatting with James and John, and getting to know what Magic Seas are all about. From This View is a fantastic album, you can hear it here: MAGIC SEAS
Magic Seas will play Tim Peaks Diner at Kendal Calling on 2nd August 2026. Look out for their new album In Both Directions and tour dates this summer.
I never expect much from February, but this has been a great month in Blue Roses world.
Back to the 90s with incredible gigs from Ash, Cast and James.
Discovering a fantastic new band and getting to know them better, I can’t wait to share my interview with Magic Seas.
Celebrating album culture with the book launch of Keith Jopling new publication, Body of Work, which is now at the top of my reading pile.
Highlight
The Listening Room – a collaboration between Q Acoustic and DIY Magazine, with guest Tim Burgess, at The Lower Third, Soho. An intimate venue, a chat about music, and listening to records on exceptional equipment – the sound was amazing. More about this to follow.
Earworm of the month
Live The Dream by Cast. Not a new song but one that I have newly discovered. I find it really uplifting and inspirational. Just be yourself and live your dream.
Coming up next month…
Looking forward to throwbacks/anniversary tours with Paul Draper of Mansun, The Feeling and Scouting For Girls. But they are all towards the end of March so I’m hoping to get more gigs or other music events lined up as well!
I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve have seen Ash live but I remember the first time vividly- it was during their residency at the London Astoria, or ‘Ashtoria’ as it was briefly renamed. My first ever indoor indie gig, in March 1997. They had an incredible energy, and my overriding memory is of the sea of teenage crowdsurfers, getting bruised from the jostling and loving every minute, even though my delicate ears rang for days afterwards. I’m remembering all of this as I’m front row once again to see Ash.
Drummer Rick McMurray is on stage first and opens the show with beats to space age opening track Zarathrusta, then Tim Wheeler and Mark Hamilton arrive on stage, pick up their guitar and bass respectively, and add the melody and groove. It’s a fun start to the show at the London Scala, the first night of their February tour.
More songs from the new album Ad Astra follow. Fun People is played without Graham Coxon who appears on the record and joined the Scala gigs in September, although Tim later opens his denim shirt to reveal he is wearing a stripy T-shirt in honour of the Blur guitarist. New single Keep Dreaming, title track Ad Astra and Hallion are great, energetic new songs. Jump In The Line adds some funky Calypso to the evening.
Ash
While this is a showcase of their fabulous new songs, it’s also an opportunity to play their much loved career spanning hits. Fans love to hear the early material. 1977 was an exceptionally brilliant debut, an essential 90s album by teenagers for teenagers, and the hit songs sound fantastic live and have everyone singing along. I couldn’t help thinking that Goldfinger reflected the inclement conditions of the evening (the rain is lashing down tonight).
Oh Yeah was a highlight of the set for me. It’s so nostalgic, I think I spent an entire summer just listening to that song.
The opening bars to A Life Less Ordinary take me back to the 90s and the glamorous music video with Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor.
Orpheus, with its fast and heavy beats, was another reminder of how many great and varied songs they have.
Shining Light, which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary, sounded stunning. It was one great song after another.
Tim’s guitar has a hidden message
The energy in the room is high. Occasionally Tim bounces on stage Britpop style, avoiding getting tangled in the guitar wires, and Mark leaps around the stage from one impossibly wide stance to another. I am trying, but failing, to read Mark’s Sex Pistols style T-shirt from across the room: Never mind the…? I’d rather be in Mike The Pies (it’s a live music venue in Ireland).
The set ends with a frenetic rendition of Kung Fu (though not as frenzied as the first gig, full of teenagers, that I mentioned).
Boy From Mars
A short break and Tim returns for the encore alone for an acoustic version of My Favourite Ghost. Mark and Rick join for Girl From Mars. Rick is sporting a Boy From Mars T-shirt, I’m guessing a popular item as there were none at the merch stall after the show. I think we are done, I’ve heard everything that I want to hear, but no, there is one more! The night finishes on a high with Burn Baby Burn!
Ash were as good as they always are. This was a fun gig with great songs and they are a band I love to see live whenever I can.
Ash Scala set list
But before the night is over, I bump into Mark at the merch stall, and get my album signed by the band.
Supporting Ash at the Scala and for part of the tour are Norwich five-piece band Bag of Cans. Appearing on stage in matching orange boiler suits, some rolled up at the legs or down at the waist, the band are, fittingly, holding cans of Kronenburg 1664. Presumably the cans were in a bag at some point.
I’m not sure how seriously to take this band. Starting with Favourite Shirt – which is about a shirt that you really like, we are told – the band announce that the next one is about laundry, and there’s a ripple of laughter – although the next song is actually called Spin Cycle so it wasn’t a joke.
Bag of Cans
Their debut album is called We Are A Band. There are two singers, both called George, one also plays guitar and the other has a trumpet. The trumpet adds an extra layer to the sound. There’s something Parklife-esque about some of the songs sung by guitarist George. There’s also guitarist Tom, bassist Sam and drummer Joe.
Bag of Cans
There’s a bit of audience banter about the Fat Cat pub in Norwich (but which one, there are three) and Guinea-Bissau’s primary export (cashew nuts – I don’t think it’s a running gag that I’ve spoiled as that story got shut down pretty quickly).
The rest of the set contains songs about hangovers, milkmen delivering extras and checking carbon monoxide detectors (that one has a special dance) and other irreverent themes.
Great, fun set by Bag of Cans, and perfect warm-up to Ash on a rainy Tuesday night in London.
Blue Roses Fanzine 2.0 