Viarosa - Night and Day, Manchester, 10/12/2006

  by Helen Tipping

published: 7 / 1 / 2007

intro

In a show at the Night and Day in Manchester Helen Tipping finds forthcoming Pennyblackmusic Bands Night headliners Viarosa's unique brand of dark alt. country an encapsulating experience

The Night and Day is all ready for Christmas. Their tree is decorated and the fairy lights are twinkling. The tables are set out as if for a cabaret and each has a candle. It's very civilised. Viarosa are Richard Neuberg on vocals and guitars ; Emma Seal on vocals (not in attendance tonight) ; Josh Hillman on violin and viola ; Rob McHardy lap steel, guitars, mandolin and banjo ; Mick Young on stand up and electric bass and Nick Simms on drums. Nick Simms has lots of add ons on his drum kit, so it looks as though this could be interesting. They play a dark country style, with well crafted material, although some of the quieter bits are not so suited to live performance at this time of year when it can get a bit rowdy. Viarosa use the full kit available to them, and the variety makes it especially enjoyable. They've got the sound of the moment really, as alt. country seems to be increasing in popularity, yet none of Viarosa's music sounds cloned. Much of the band consist of musicians who have been around for years, with lots of experience to draw on, and it really does shine through. It's a shame that we miss Joss T Pearson, who Viarosa are supporting, but public transport isn't geared up for people on an evening out, especially on a Sunday in Manchester, but Viarosa alone were well worth the journey. Viarosa will be headlining the Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at the Spitz in London on Saturday 3rd March

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