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Night and Day Café, Manchester
15/10/07
Review by Claire Bennett
 Situated in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter, the Night and Day Café
is an intimate venue that is perfect for tonight’s gig. Not only because
of the involvement you feel with the performances, but also due to the
belief firmly held by both venue and band that creativity and
originality rules all.
The support act arrives on stage with a cheeky smile and Jimmy Davis
appears to be in his element. He marches across the stage with an air of
confidence that is only gained by experience, and experienced he is.
Prior to taking part in the current Uprise Tour with tonight’s
headliners, Davis made up half of the band Forces of Nature and is
therefore no stranger to the spotlight. This charismatic soul hails from
Birmingham and is most certainly proud of where he comes from; wearing a
t-shirt with a ‘Brumsdale’ logo plastered across it.
He kicks off his set with the brutal repetition of his own name during
the self titled track ’Jimmy Davis’ and at first you could be forgiven
for thinking that this lyricist is no different to the other egotistical
rappers of our generation. However, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Jimmy Davis is a powerhouse poet that touches on issues of racism,
social hierarchy and the environment and it was utterly refreshing to
see someone with writing talent, personality and an opinion as apposed
to a one-dimensional robot.
The crowd is hard to please, but Davis worked them the best he could and
his professionalism never wavered, putting his heart and soul into his
performance. In a post-performance chat with your reporter, he reveals
that music is his ‘way of giving it to the people’ and he was ‘willing
to embrace the mainstream to reach the masses’. There is most certainly
a market for this musical and ambitious innovation.
Following a half hour interval the audience is racked with excitement;
anticipating the arrival of headliners Nizlopi.
You would be forgiven for thinking that band members Luke Concannon and
John Parker had joined the infamous gang of one hit wonders since little
has been heard from them since their massive success with the ‘The JCB
Song’.
However, as brilliant as this song was, it isn’t the vehicle on which
they’re planning to base their career on. Tonight was more of a showcase
for their hard work on mini-album ‘Extra-ordinary’.
These down to earth fellas from Leamington Spa aren’t ones to conform.
They release their music on a self-made record label and the
conventional stage entrance was shunned in favour of a crowd invasion.
Guitar and Double Bass in tow, Nizlopi had their fans eating out of
their hands, completely enchanting them with their showmanship.
The involvement of the crowd in such a way gave the gig a gritty realism
and a feeling that you were a part of the show. Concannon also recruited
the audience to sing the harmonies of one of his anthems, with each
third chanting a different section of the song. ‘Call it up’ and
‘Freedom’ were particular highlights of the night, both uniquely
beautiful songs that incorporate colloquial sayings with clever similes.
This duo has something for everyone; from their witty remarks to their
romantic storytelling combined with all the energy of a 2000 watt light
bulb.
Concannon is responsible for the soulful vocals and guitar talent, while
Parker beat boxes and commands the double bass. A unique fusion that is
like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They are essentially musical
chameleons that would be at home busking on the street or playing to
millions in packed out venues.
Fitting with their non-conventional, fan orientated approach, Nizlopi’s
appearance tonight lasts a half hour longer than expected, and as the
night goes on, it’s easy to tell that Nizlopi are crowd pleasers;
pulling musical puppet strings attached at one end to an audience
electrified by their uplifting anthems.
Tonight has been a magical night, with smiles beaming across the
intimate venue, each reflecting what we’re thinking; it’s impossible not
to fall in love with these guys.
Recommended links:
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www.myspace.com/nizlopi
►
www.myspace.com/littlejimmydavis
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