Panic in Bilston

Its the first interval of the Panic Room weekend in Bilston, Wolverhampton.

Just saw Morpheus Rising. A metal band who's drummer had recently "spontaneously exploded" (sic) sp they played as an acoustic duo and were very good non the less.

I am loaded with raffle tickets in the hope of winning a rare copy of Ann-Marie Helder and Geoff Downs album which is not otherwise available.

Shadow of the Sun were one of the acts earlier in the day. Their lead guitarist could not make the gig (baby being born) they seconded this young guy as a substitute. Apparently he was learning songs in the car on the way to the gig. He certainly did a good job, an got probably the biggest round of applause of the day.

I had never heard of then. They had a CD on sale at the gig and said they were working on another.
http://www.panicroom.org.uk/shadow-of-the-sun.html

Its an all weekend event at a 700 capacity venue so none of these bands are huge commercially

The link to their website seems to be broken.

All these bands are interrelated in some way. It a sort of underground movement in some ways.

Today we have Luna Rossa, Ann-Marie and Jonathan Edwards acoustic side project followed by PR guitarist Dave Fosters band. Then Kiama, followed by another Panic Room set.

I like the way the artists mingle with the audience, I spoke to Jonathan Edwards and bassist Yatim Halimi briefly yesterday. Ann-Marie seemed more in demand but hopefully I may get chance to say hello today.

Dave Foster Band. Wow they were heavy, and rather good!

(only 3/5 Panic Room!)

Good to hear it went well. We thought about going but couldn't manage it in the end. The Robin's our local, well nearest, club and generally try get to things there that aren't the endless succession of "tribute" bands.

What four CD's did you end up with?  I know one was the raffle winner, but what are the other three? 
(Inquiring minds and all that rubbish.)

Glyn Barnes
I noticed that its mostly Tribute acts over the coming weeks, but Mostly Autumn is on soon, I recommend them. If you have not seen Panic Room I recommend catching them next time.

I travelled up from Devon, I am just about to get the train home. It was well worth the trip, I have 4 CD of bands I "discovered" at the event.

We don't have a real dedicated live music venue in Torbay. Closest place like the Robin is The Warf in Tavistock about 40 miles away.

Well, the tribute bands at least help to keep the place running (some command quite good fees, others, not so much) and so subsidise some of the other less mainstream stuff. They do seem to be having a run on them at the moment though.

As for the "other stuff", Jefferson Starship in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Wilko Johnson regularly for years and they hosted one gig of his short "Farewell Tour" when he though he had months to live, James Burton, Arthur Brown, Steve Cropper, Johnny Winter not long before he died.... Plus a surprising number of UK and US acts that once did big gigs and had considerable chat success but as they get older seem to want to return to doing gigs where you can see the audience, the acoustics and PA are good (unlike stadiums) and the venue is much like the kind of places they started out in 40 or more years ago.

I know what you mean about South Devon though. Festivals aside there aren't many venues, but in the West Midlands with it's millions of people there's really only half a dozen or so club-size non-mainstream live music venues. I highly recommend Hawkwinds Easter weekend mini-festival in Seaton if you've not been by the way, assuming it happens next year. As far as I know the intention is to do it, but Dave Brock is 75 this year so there's always the possibility of fate intervening. Mind you, in the last couple of years they've been touring the UK quite heavily with regular foreign trips as far afield as Japan. The live version of the new "The Machine Stops" set is pretty impressive.

Glyn Barnes

craigb
What four CD's did you end up with?  I know one was the raffle winner, but what are the other three? 
(Inquiring minds and all that rubbish.)

That's not Including the raffel prize, which is billed as the "Electronica" by the "New Dance Orchestra". All instruments played or programmed by Geoff Downes with lead vocals by Ann-Marie Helder. No idea what this is going to be like but when you current favourite singer makes an EDM infulenced album with Yes's keyboard player, as you say inquiring minds!)
 
The bought albums are.
 
"Gravity" and "Dreamless" by Dave Foster
"Sign of IV" by Kiama.
"Occupying Forces" by Halo Blind.

Ok, I find this interesting.  I already have Electronica (and like it!).  Of course, I still refer to Geoff as the ex-Buggles member - lol.  If you like music that moves at all (since you already like her voice), you'll enjoy the album.  Kind of Pet Shop Boys and ABBA meet Dubstar (all bands that I enjoy).  Looks like it was released in 2013.
 
I also have the albums from Kiama (excellent - reminds me completely of a 70's classic rock band whose name I can't remember crossed with Soundgarden) and Halo Blind (another winner - which reminds me of the Church + Better Than Ezra).
 
I'm already laughing at my attempts to say what each sounds like.  Put it this way, I doubt you'll be disappointed with any of them.  That said, I'm guessing I'd like the Dave Foster offerings so I'll have to go looking for where to buy them (his band isn't even listed in Discogs, or Amazon, or CDBaby...).

craigb

 That said, I'm guessing I'd like the Dave Foster offerings so I'll have to go looking for where to buy them (his band isn't even listed in Discogs, or Amazon, or CDBaby...).

The Dave Foster CD are available from the shop on the Panic Room Website http://www.panicroom.org.uk/store/c1/Featured_Products.html £10 each, not sure what international shipping will do to the price though. The only downloads there are a couple of solo offerings by Ann-Marie.

I am playing Dave Foster's "Dreamless" as I type, and rather good it is too.
 P.S - and its rather heavy!

A few posts are appearing on the internet about the weekend.
A review of day one on the "Where Worlds Collide" blog. http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/music/live-reviews/the-panic-room-weekend-day-one/
A great photo stream from Tim Ellis https://www.flickr.com/photos/tim_ellis/27149448202/