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Upstairs in the reconditioned bijou ballroom of the Leaf Café, one of Liverpool’s fast emerging acts fit the bill. Nu-folkies Stealing Sheep, silhouetted in front of the darkened windows behind the stage, open with a sound-alike for overlooked US college rockers Throwing Muses.
Followed by Noah’s Days, the recent EP track is given extra weight live, courtesy of Lucy’s booming tom-tom drums.
Similarly, Your Saddest Song and Mountain Dogs boast a bigger, slightly faster sound live than on record, demonstrating how the trio’s grueling tours have paid off, as the ‘Sheep confidently motor through their set.
Despite a few sonic wrinkles in the acoustics due to the echoing ballroom, (even when reasonably full, as it is tonight), the group easily overcome it, with the new songs as well received as standards such as Pass Through You.
Their band’s live schedule has also seemingly made the band more relaxed onstage, with lead singer Becky Hawley in especially animated mood behind the keys.
In view of the tranche of festival dates the group have fast approaching, Shoot The Ducks To Win, played last, would be best suited to dusk at Glastonbury, the dark, almost nursery rhyme feel of the meticulously arranged harmonies and dexterous guitar arpeggios combining superbly.
The night was hosted by Dandelion Girl vintage store, Petticoat Lane, Liverpool. Check out their blog… http://thedandeliongirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/dandelion-girl-vintage.html
And Facebook for updates on more kick ass music events… http://www.facebook.com/people/Dandelion-GirlVintage/100001997567357
Photography: Ash Williams