REVIEW: The Stairs, Silent-K and Peach Fuzz at Liverpool's O2 Academy

Peach Fuzz
A DRIZZLY September mid-week night isn't a very appealing gig night but when one of Liverpool's most famous musical sons' are making an overdue comeback, there's no stopping us scousers.

The Stairs' homecoming at the O2 Academy, courtesy of promoters EVOL, was marked with a red 'X' on our wall calendar.

Anticipated to be one of the best Liverpool shows in 2018, there was a lot to live up to.

Getting dropped off on London Road, we took a stroll past the venue and spotted The Stairs' front-man Edgar Jones outside.

After a brief chat with him about the appending show we traipsed down Lord Nelson Street to get some dinner at Wetherspoons (The North Western).

One veggie burger and gammon steak later, we ventured to Ma Egerton's Stage Door for a pre-show drink.

Silent-K
It was good to catch up with friends old and new before bumping into the first act on stage - Peach Fuzz.

Having a colourful few months, Peach Fuzz are Wirral label Skeleton Key's latest project.

We've known the members from various musical projects including band The Levons so its exciting to see the team back together again.

Fast-forward ten minutes and we're in the venue.

A steamboat in hand we took our place in the middle of the gig floor to watch Peach Fuzz begin their set.

With front-man Nathaniel Cummings working the stage in a red tie-die t-shirt and glitter smeared across his cheeks, he emanates Marc Bolan.

They whistled through a set-list of dreamy tracks with sounds similar to that of current indie music giants Blossoms.

However their bluesy, funk-psych sound opens up a whole new world of excitement.

After conversations and another trip to the bar, Silent-K are up.

Their rip-roaring hip-hop infused rock set was a welcomed treat, the perfect bridge from Peach Fuzz to The Stairs.

Front-man Chris Taylor really owned it with former Zutons head honcho Dave McCabe providing support from backing vocals and reunited with guitarist Boyan Chowdhury.

With electrifying guitar solos and eye-watering beats we'll definitely be queuing to see Silent-K again.

In no time at all, it was The Stairs turn.

Rattling through a sweaty set of hardened classics, The Stairs proved how successful a Tuesday night gig could be in Liverpool.

After speaking to front-man Edgar Jones earlier this year, he revealed there was plans to create some new music with The Stairs which will be an exciting addition to their set-list.

The Stairs
And as fate would have it, the band debuted new song - aimed at the BBC, What Have You Become? which is an exciting preview to the new music.

Opening their set with Stairs staple Mary Joanna before tearing through many tracks from their debut album Mexican RNB such as Take No Notice Of The World Outside, Laughter In Their Eyes, Sweet Thing, Flying Machine and Woman Gone and Say Goodbye.

The band played well-loved fan covers of The Hunters' classic Russian Spy and I and My Little Red Book - originally composed by Burt Bacharach and written by Hal David, but found success with Love in 1966.

Time passed instantly at this gig, with the crowd were left heckling for more but the venue curfew was looming and after some shouting to and from the sound tech, Jones introduced the final track and signature classic - Weed Bus.

And that was it, it was over.

The Stairs ended their set with just enough time for a well deserved bow.

We weren't as hardcore as a lot of the audience who made their journey to Newington Temple for the after-show party but we heard it was a blast - definitely won't be missing out next time.

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