Jerry Williams - 'Gameshow'

"Lights out, have gone out, I’m worn out from sat here watching gameshows by myself"

Singer-songwriter Jerry Williams has gained a deserved reputation for producing foot-tappingly catchy tunes, slick combinations of singalong lyrics and memorable choruses that take an easy residence in the brain. New release Gameshow however is a stark remove from Jerry's norm, an achingly haunting tune of loss and goodbye inspired by the loss of a family friend.

Near whispered vocals lilt delicately over slow a mournful piano, an approach that lets the weight of the lyrics take hold. It's a beautifully sad song, full of bittersweet loveliness, that may very well leave you misty-eyed after listening.

Gameshow has been released as a streaming EP which includes recent release David At The Bar, as well as live favourites Left & Right and Grab Life, and is available now via the usual online suspects.

Jerry Williams - 'David At The Bar'

One Saturday in 2015 I found myself emerging from the dark basement of Brighton's Sticky Mike's (RIP), ears ringing from Kassassin Street's morning set, and stumbled across Jerry Williams playing a courtyard gig a few yards away. Barely a song in I was already aware that I was in the presence of a rare talent. Since then Jerry has continued to perfect her craft, releasing new material, touring far and wide, building up an ever growing legion of fans in the process. 

Having recently returned from New York, taking over Tidal's Instagram feed for a session whilst there, Jerry has since travelled to Germany for a string of live dates with her band before a return to the UK for further shows (including a gig at the Camden Assembly, the Barfly as was, on Wednesday 30th January and a visit to Southampton's Joiners the following night).

Current release David At The Bar is a reflective ode, a tale of a bar-side conversation the artist had with a young alcoholic she encountered; a soon-to-be new father, David promised Jerry that he'd stop drinking if she wrote a song about him, this affecting tune being the result. The lyrics reflect the drinker's fears for the future, whether they'll be able to put down the last glass, before toasting the artist with a plea not to follow the same path. 

It's a delicate song which progresses in tone over its two and a half minutes, powerfully building to an anthemic crescendo that, yes, I could picture a drunken crowd sing-a-long aloud. Irony is a wonderful thing. It's unknown what the titular character makes of the song he made his bargain for as David appears to have vanished into the crowd after the conversation. I'm hoping that he's seized the opportunity life has presented for him, made good on his promise, and is building on the future with his young family. Yes, I've always been a sucker for a happy ending. 

Dials Playlist

One of the perks of living in the modern age is that, prior to attending music festivals, we can easily check what acts we'd like to see (or avoid) simply by spending some time on Spotify (other streaming services are available). Of course, this could also be perceived as a drawback; one of the joys of music festivals is stumbling across your New Favourite Band when you were least expecting to, hearing that song, loving that tune. 

So, whilst the lovely folks at Dials have prepared a playlist of artists on the festival's bill, a playlist that I've posted below, it is up to you, gentle reader, whether you listen now or save your jaw-dropping delight for October 6th. 

Victorious Festival 2018 - Sunday Preview (part one)

In keeping with my 'festival as a feast' metaphor, if Friday was the appetiser and Saturday the main course, Victorious' Sunday line-up is a large, heaped dessert trolley accompanied by an epic cheeseboard, full as it is with succulent musical treats and savoury moments. In fact, so large in number are the options available I've had to split my recommendations list in two. First up, covering the best things to see from gates open until seven o'clock, is the sweet selection..

Me & The Moon (Common Stage, 1215-1245) (Seaside Stage, 2130-2200)
If you're feeling a wee bit jaded after yesterday's festival fun, suffering after one too many expensive pints of lager, the mellow indie-stylings of this Guildford duo are the very thing to start your Victorious Sunday (alternatively, if you're seeing them later in the day, they'll help calm your nerves after Keith Flint has scared you)



Fugitive Orchestra (Showcase Stage, 1230-1300)
Fugitive Orchestra, the pseudonym of James Tattington, is not so much a one-man band as a beat-boxing, guitar-looping philharmonic.



Gomez (Common Stage, 1315-1400)
In the 20 years since Gomez won the Mercury Prize (yes, it was really that long ago) the Southport posse have released another 6 studio albums, toured extensively and, in the process, added a large American contingent to their fan-base via the US college circuit. The band are celebrating the 20th birthday of Bring It On the band with an anniversary tour, on which their Victorious appearance is a stop.



Soul 45 (Beats & Swing Tent, 1415-1515) (Soul Circus Tent, 2020-2140)
Southampton's premier vinyl only suppliers of funk, soul and dance music. Prepare to swing your pants..



Jerry Williams (Castle Stage, 1500-1530)
A few years ago, at The Great Escape, I left the dark depths of Sticky Mike's with Kassassin Street ringing joyfully in my ears, and stumbled across a talented singer-songwriter playing in a yard across the way. It was Jerry Williams and, liking what I heard, I ensured I caught her afternoon slot in a tent on the Old Steine later that day (where, to an audience that included her Mum, she played a jaw-dropping cover of Bump'n'Grind). Since then Jerry has plugged away, touring further and wider, refining her craft and growing her legion of fans with every gig. Fingers crossed she makes it back from her mini tour of Europe (!) in time...



Marika Hackman (Common Stage, 1520-1550)
2017's I'm Not Your Man was one of my favourite long players of last year, pitching exquisite vocals with wry lyrics and catchy melodies, so this is a set I'm very much looking forward to (although, as much as I hope to hear her Nirvana cover, I think I'll be disappointed).



Sink or Soar (Real Ale Stage, 1530-1600)
Rising like from the ashes of the excellent (and much missed) B of The Bang, Sink or Soar feature Wit's unmistakeable vocals and playful lyrics.



Dani Uziel (Acoustic Stage, 1550-1620)
Is it just me or, of late, is Portsmouth excelling itself at producing talented singer-songwriters?



The Orielles (Castle Stage, 1600-1630)
Over the years the minster town of Halifax has given much to the world; John Noakes, Big Daddy, Sarah Blackwood, Quality Street, Ed Sheeran (yes, I know) and even one of the Thompson Twins. All from Halifax. The latest delight to come from that part of West Yorkshire are The Orielles. H'mm, there must be something in the water up North...



The Bluetones (Common Stage, 1620-1650)
Purveyors of melodic indie tunes, Mark Morriss and chums have been resident on the alternative music landscape for a long time. If memory serves they're no longer recording/releasing new material, so expect an uplifting set of old favourites.



Gengahr (Castle Stage, 1700-1730)
Apparently take their name from a poison Pokémon, really, this London four-piece produce a satisfying blend of pop and psychedelia. I like both of those, and I like Gengahr.



The Amazons (Common Stage, 1720-1805)
Ignoring the leather and long hair clichés for a second, these Reading rockers have been feted by the likes of the NME and BBC Radio 1. To be honest their a bit of a wildcard entry on mny list...



Tuba Libres (Beats & Swing Tent, 1730-1815)
Trust me, you never realised it but there is a tuba-shaped hole in your life. A talented bunch of chaps from Southampton who will most definitely put a smile on your face.



Reverend & The Makers (Castle Stage, 1800-1830)
The sound of Sheffield.



Sleaford Mods (Common Stage, 1835-1920)
If you have to ask then maybe they're not for you...



......and that's not including Skaraman, TV's Dermot O'Leary at the decks, a Bowie tribute, a 90s tribute act, Dub Pistols, festival stalwarts the Southsea Alternative Choir, the various delights offered by the World Music Village and Comedy Tent and, of course, Paddington making an appearance in the Kids Arena. 

That's it for part one of my Victorious Sunday preview, part two should (!) be appearing tomorrow so be sure to pop back. Now, go make a nice cup of tea and have a sit down, you need to be ready for the weekend.

Dials Festival 2018

Good news everyone! Dials Festival has returned, bringing a day of music to Albert Road, filling the hole made when Southsea Fest headed into the sunset. The Dials organisers have been hard at work behind the scenes since they tweeted their 'save the date' message, conjuring up the first wave of acts that has now been announced.

On the bill (so far) are [deep breath] Los Bitchos, Thyla, Fake Empire, Barbudo, Hotel Lux, Penelope Isles, Sad Palace, Lauran Hibberd, Art School Girlfriend, Bella Spinks, Highlights of Our Modern World, Horsefiles, Margot, Lice, Temples of Youth, Melt Dunes, Libralibra, Mystic Peach, Breathe Panel, Tigercub, Omar Baba, Attack the Fire, Jerry Williams, Bokito, Salt Ashes, Vinyl Staircase, Ugly, Sleep Eaters, Violet Mud and the most excellent Curxes.

That's hell of a line-up and, if that wasn't incentive enough to get aboard, Dials have partnered with Solent Mind, a registered charity that provides a wide range of high quality services, across the South, which support people with mental health problems. I can, from personal experience, vouch for the good work organisations like Mind do.

Super Early Bird tickets are on sale now for just £12 [sorry, all gone!], with regular advance tickets still a bargain at £16, available now from the festival website. For more information and updates check the Dials Twitter feed.