Narc. Magazine Online
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Phoenix Atkinson enjoys a night of captivating songwriting and musicianship
Image: Liam Fender
Liam Fender is Newcastle’s hottest ticket. Or, at the very least, he should be. Hot on the heels of his newest (and excellent) EP Man Down, he returned to his hometown of North Shields for a show which also featured local artist Bugman.
Bugman was fantastic. I had heard him described as a punk (Bob) Dylan, which was proven correct. Edgy, catchy and narrative tunes came thick and fast in a blur of musical brilliance. It was everything I wanted and more. The standout, if I had to choose, was the infectious Michelin Man, which captured me from the very beginning and had me humming all the way throughout the interval. I’m getting tickets to his next gig, and so should you.
Liam Fender’s arrival on stage came with the feeling that we were all about to witness a special moment. It takes a unique skill to hold an audience’s attention so well that they hang on to every musical note, and he has that in droves. Liam’s voice is arguably one of his best traits, with a unique level of grit and realism to it. The track Don’t Fear Danger walked straight into my heart (and playlist), and he performed the single best version of Love Will Tear Us Apart that I have ever heard. He closed the show with a stirring rendition of In The Bleak Midwinter, which is my favourite Christmas carol, and, for the first time this year, made me feel the spirit of the season.
It is a privilege to see these two live, and I hope they finally get the recognition they deserve.
