Red Rum Club 'Western Approaches' Tour

Red Rum Club:

Liverpudlian sextet Red Rum Club have spent March travelling the length of the UK on their huge 'Western Approaches' tour, celebrating the release of the band's first Top 10 album of the same name. Last night the tour stopped in Cambridge's Junction for a huge sell-out show. It is testament to the Red Rum Club's rapidly growing fanbase that the band can come to a city where they have only played a handful of shows, and stll garner a capacity crowd who were in fine voice all night.

The indie rockers are led by lead singer Francis Doran, who delivered every word with the swagger of an authentic frontman. I truly believe there is no other performer who could make dad dancing look that cool. Doran wasn't the only member pulling out the moves on stage, with the best coming from guitarist Michael McDermott as he shook his ass at the band's technicians throughout their song 'Houdini`. McDermott encapsulates the fun aspects of Red Rum Club that makes them so infectious. Whether it be starting plectrum fights with drummer Neil Lawson, and guitarist Tom Willams, or battling with Francis over a Piña Colada. Simon Hepworth (Bassist) and Joe Corby (Trumpeter) complete the insanely talented line-up, with the chemistry between all six men being so obvious from the get-go.

Red Rum Club release infectious indie music, that you can't help but listen to with a huge smile on your face, and their live-show takes this to a whole new level. The crowd lapped up every single song, reacting louder and louder as the night went on. The main set closers
'Vanilla' and 'Jigsaw Shores received some of the loudest reactions Ive ever head in 'J2'

The entire setlist was perfectly paced, showcasing the dynamism Red Rum Club have developed over the years. Nothing showed this better than the trio of songs played in the encore, which started with an emotional acoustic rendition of 'Last Minute', performed just by Doran and Williams. Next up came the ever-catchy 'Eleanor, a fan-favourite that stayed stuck on the mind long after the final note was played. The set was closed with Would You Rather Be Lonely?", as is tradition now with Red Rum Club shows. This gave the audience one more opportunity to leave all their troubles behind and live in the moment, being further encouraged to do so by lead singer Francis, who himself embraced the opportunity

This brought an end to an incredible evening of live music, guided by six men who are destined for stardom. Red Rum Club's songwriting and production has grown with each album, and there can be no doubt this is reflected in their live shows. After playing their penultimate gig tonight in Nottingham's Rescue Rooms, the band will close the tour with their biggest ever headline show at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena. If last night in Cambridge showed one thing, it won't be long until Red Rum Club are selling out venues as big as the M&S Bank Arena outside of their hometown.

CUSP:

Support on the night came from Milton Keynes based indie rockers CUSP. The trio, led by singer-songwriter Dan Stock pulled in a busy crowd for their opening slot, and left the audience more than satisfied. Their half hour set flew by, showcasing songs that are deservedly becoming big hits for the upcomers, alongside their exciting upcoming releases. In my opinion the song of the set was the closer 'Coming Up Roses', which happens to be the bands next single, another indication of just how exciting their future is destined to be.

This was of many huge support slots that CUSP have grasped recently, and if they've approached the others like they did last night, then it easy to see why they are being so highly regarded. The chemistry between all three members is radiant, creating a unique brand of guitar-backed brilliance that will see them go far. Cambridge welcomed CUSP in open arms, and in return they delivered all the stocks and left everyone wanting more. It is only a matter of time until they're headlining