Levellers Acoustic Tour at Hackney Empire: A Captivating Musical Journey with support from The Wilswood Bouys – Gig review

May 28, 2023 rocknews

There’s something very special about walking in to the Hackney Empire. It’s almost like stepping back in time to 1901. The architecture is something to behold. Over the years it has served as a music hall, where it saw, among others, Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and Julie Andrews perform, a comedy venue, a theatre and an opera house. The Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC Concert Orchestra have all performed here. Tonight though, the Empire belongs to the Levellers for a show that was originally scheduled for 9th March but postponed due to personal reasons. They brought along some friends too……

The Wilswood Bouys

Taking the stage first were Mersea Island duo the Wilswood Buoys. Josh and Joe managed to ooze confidence and be in awe of their surroundings in equal measure. Their infectious blend of folk and edgy pop put us in mind of Frank Turner, and when the second song “A Place to Call My Own” was introduced, Turner’s influence became apparent….. he produced their debut album.

The half-hour set went very quickly, and the audience, who were beginning to fill up the Empire, clapped along and clearly appreciated the music.

Their vocal harmonies and ‘duelling guitars’ seemed effortless and worked so well, and they were having a ball. Josh’s love life seemed to be a recurring theme in their writing, but there were some serious messages in there too, not least ‘Crisis’ which dealt with the theme of war, but in particular the conflict in Ukraine.

The last song “Save the Queen” built up speed to a frantic crescendo and is apparently named after drinking game. You’ll have to look it up as we – of course – wouldn’t know about things like that.

These guys are not (yet) signed, but they should be, and are definitely ones to watch.

Check them out at https://www.wilswoodbuoys.com

‘A New Beginning’ album is out now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0yerMtlxry6BGbclegHmUF?si=7OHLpS0pQSCRmHIFd6J

Levellers

Tonight was part of the Levellers’ acoustic tour that started in February and officially finished at the end of March. A few dates had to be postponed, including this one at the Hackney Empire, but it was definitely worth the wait.

A haunting cover of ‘Carry Me’ came from the PA at 8.30, and the band arrived on stage and took their seats to huge cheers from the faithful.

‘The Game’ kicked us off, as it does the latest acoustic album ’Together All The Way’.

Following a short violin technical hitch – which game Mark a chance to tell us an amusing story about dropping his phone on the tour bus – we were in to traditional Scottish folk song ‘Lowlands of Holland’, which appeared on the 2007 reissue of their eponymous third album.

Following ‘Liberty Song’ Cellist Hannah Moule took to the stage, completing the trio of additional musicians recruited to help shape these new arrangements. She, percussionist Ollie Austin and multi-instrumentalist Raevennan Husbandes usually perform together as the Moulettes (check them out here https://www.moulettes.co.uk).

The cello signalled a dramatic start to ‘Battle of the Beanfield’. Mark started singing, Jon Sevink joined in with that violin and that was all we needed (save for some backing vocals from Matt Savage) for a spectacular rendition of this favourite.

“Don’t go quiet on us.” said Mark. “Maximum disruption is what’s required”. ‘Wheels’ was next, followed by ‘Drug Bust McGhee’.

Mark told us that the evening was being filmed, and when Jon played the intro to ‘Together all the Way’, the audience became very vocal, cheering and whooping as the band joined in.

‘Sitting in the Social’ sounded full and energetic, driven by the two drum kits of Charlie Heather and Ollie Austin.

Dan Donnelly’s ‘Man O War’, with its refrain of “dead man walking in my shoes” was haunting and etherial, with beautiful vocal harmonies.

Mark asked: “how are your singing voices?” as most of the musicians left the stage. He, Matt, Dan and Jon, along with Hannah Moule on cello then gave us a gorgeous rendition of ‘Julie’, and the Hackney crowd loved it. They were definitely beginning to get more vocal.

Everyone was back for ‘Ghosts in the Water’, before Matt’s keyboard sounded out a church organ and the intro to ‘Born That Way’ from 2020’s ‘Peace’ album, and included some incredible backing vocals from Raevennan Husbandes.

‘England my Home’ followed ‘Haven’t Made It’ and the ending, with Jon’s violin and Raevennan’s voice harmonising was something else.

“Down down come on down” goes the chorus of ‘The Cholera Well’, and it must have struck a chord, as everybody was up and out of their seats for ‘The Boatman.’ By now the Empire was jumping.

Steve Boakes appeared from stage left with his famous didgeridoo to loud cheers. His few minutes on stage definitely a highlight.

Things were getting rowdy as the main set reached it’s conclusion with ‘The Road’ and ‘Far From Home’, both originally from the mighty ‘Levelling the Land’.

There was a lot of banging, clapping, and cheering until the band emerged once again for their well deserved encore. We were treated to a medley of ‘Hope Street’ and ‘Down by the River O’ before Mark asked: “shall we do a drinking song to end?” (there’s definitely a theme here somewhere) and played the bluesy, sleazy opening chords of ‘Just the One’.

It’s a strange feeling to be sitting down watching the Levellers, and an even stranger one to see them sitting down to play. We’re so used to seeing Jeremy bound around the stage wielding that Gibson bass, his dreads flying behind him, or Jon spinning and jumping while playing that distinctive electric violin, but hearing these songs reimagined was a beautiful and often moving experience. Mark’s voice shone and the three additional musicians on stage added a whole new dimension. We can’t wait until they do it again.

You can catch the Levellers on tour from now and throughout the Summer.

’Together all the Way’ is available now from https://www.levellers.co.uk/collections/all/products/levellers-together-all-the-way