My Baby at Thekla review 3rd October 2017
Posted on: 2017-10-03
Our rating:
If you have the album and you are yet to see My Baby live…then hold your breath, you are in for an amazing ride.
Well, this was a first for me and a new way to experience live music.
Whilst scrolling through the mundane stories on Facebook, I decided to stop on a music media ad and open it up. It was promoting a band that I had never heard of called “My Baby” and showing a clip of them live whilst advertising their current tour. I clicked play, listened and was very quickly consumed and drawn into their very unique sound. I thought to myself at this moment that I would make it my mission to see this band that I know nothing about on their up and coming visit to The Thekla in Bristol.
The day arrived to go and see My Baby live. Wondering whether I was too old at 50, I decided to bring along my girlfriend’s sixteen year old daughter as my guest to see where the band would fit between our ages.
On boarding The Thekla, the musical voyage begins. First on are a two piece band called “Echo Town”, made up of two brothers Richard and Robert Harrison (the second gig in a row where the band has two brothers with names beginning with R!). Whilst Rob plays drum with grace and finesse and the look of an ancient warrior his brother sings, hums, blows and picks a flat guitar in conjunction with a didgeridoo. Although this sounds like ingredients of a witches brew it actually produces a rhythmic jungle sound that is very different and good on the ear. These are talented lads and merit their own headline show at these smaller venues. Almost unfairly this act is witnessed by a only a handful of hard-core gig goers.
In the space of about 15 mins, Bristol’s famous musical boat is getting filled to the rafters. The new passengers are from every walk of life, there are dreadlocks by the dozen, old school ravers, middle age couples, glitter dresses and even an Hawaiian shirt and straw hat wearing pundit. At this point I very quickly realise that myself and my 16 year old counterpart do not look out of place in the colourful crowd.
The smokes pumps out across the stage and dancefloor as My Baby appear from the curtains… with what I can only describe as swampy country blues, funky, psychedelic type sound, the dancefloor erupts. The sound reminisces that of Seasick Steve who incidentally chose them to open for his 2015 UK tour, ironically as they punch their way through the first number on this vessel venue.
The Amsterdam band are made up of another family connection, this time brother and sister, Cato Van Dyck on vocals, guitar and electric violin and Sheik on the drums along with New Zealander Daniel “dafreez” Johnston on guitar. Over the past three years they have been working overtime to get to the release of their third album “Prehistoric Rhythm”. The aim of this melodic three piece is to channel a primal awareness amidst hypnotic beats and psychedelic rifts on the back of rusty blues.
Showing very minimal interaction with the adoring crowd each track breathes into the next in a trance like hypnotic groove, containing more drops than a leaky tap. Cato has the crowd in full flow with arms flailing and shouts of” take it higher” and “ready” taking every pumping tune to another climax and crescendo. Everybody of every age cannot contain themselves and have no control in the need to move along to this almost spiritual sound. This whole show is intoxicated with hard-core lighting and endless clouds of dry ice that complement the shamanic music.
I do not need to know many of the song titles to enjoy this set from a band unknown to me only 2 hours ago. I now feel I know them intimately. “Seeing Red” is one song I do know as it powerfully builds with shimmering soulful vocals that brings to end the most amazing experience enjoyed by all shipmates aboard.
On the way out I decided to buy the “Shamanaid” album from the merch stand and promptly play it in my car for the journey home. Unbelievably it is in total contrast to the live show, almost acoustic and a “chilled” version of the “Prehistoric Rhythm” tour that I have just witnessed.
Like they say “if you read the book, forget the film”. If you have seen the show and then bought the album, you will be very disappointed. However, if you have the album and you are yet to see My Baby live…then hold your breath, you are in for an amazing ride.
Article by:
Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, Mike has played in bands over the last 30 years and has an avid interest in a wide range of music genres. With a passion for live music he spends endless nights watching all types of bands, both famous and not so famous. With a love of Bristol’s infamous venues and the thriving music scene he also follows the local football club in red with a passion. His mission statement is...Keep it real, keep it live and Keep on Rocking!!
