The Fleece, June 8th 2022
We were excited enough about catching Blood Red Shoes at the start of the year. When the date was rescheduled for June the anticipation that had built was through the roof (plus it gave us much longer to get to grips with the latest album “Ghosts on Tape” (our favourite offering from the duo so far in their 18 year, 6 album career).
So it came as a bit of a surprise to only hear four tracks from the latest record on the night, from a 18 track set list.
If this sounds like we were disappointed, you couldn’t be further from the mark.
Like mentioned, this is a band with such depth to their back catalogue they could have played all night (I think they would have happily)and not covered everything in their arsenal.
BRS instead opted for a fandom heavy set. That beautifully crisscrossed their entire back catalogue, from first record to last.
It feels wrong to call Laura-Mary Carter & Steven Ansell veterans as each release is such a fresh and new reinvention of their sound, but that is what they are. The longevity resulting in a effortless bond as they play.
Out of the gates strong with “Elijah” & “Morbid Fascination” the stage was set for a musical journey that would keep the packed crowd guessing all the way.
Feeling akin to a kid on Xmas morning, knowing something good & exciting is about to happen, but not quite sure what’s in each box under the tree until it’s unwrapped.
By the time we hit “Light it up” from 2010s “Fire Like This” the crowd were putty in the bands creative hands.
Having grabbed a spot right at the barrier, it was impossible not to get lost in simply watching Laura play. And be utterly mesmerised by Steven’s insane energy on the drums.
The Brighton twosome’s enjoyment of being able to play live again really shining through in their performance.
Two of the four new album tracks played “Murder Me” & “Sucker” were saved until the end.
And a riff driven, drum smashing encore ensues as the duo finish off with the likes of “God Complex” and “Colours Fade” , but it’ll be a long time before the memory of this gig fades, that’s for sure.
The Bristol Nomad/ @bristolnomad_gigphotography
