Review Centre: Bands & Ensembles

"Hi! I’d just like to say Huw and his band were great - I will be booking him again."

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"We had a joint 50th & 80th birthday party. Black Velvet were fantastic. Great musicians and made the Barn dance run smoothly. We had ages from 5 to 80 and they tailored everything perfectly. Made it a birthday to remember."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi LFS. Thank you so much for performing last night. Everyone loved the music and it really added to the event. A"

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"I just wanted to say that Stereo Junction exceeded all expectations last night. They were absolutely amazing. We had the best night, the dance floor was filled, they read the audience and played exactly the right music. They were totally awesome. Thank you so much for recommending them, there were times during the night when I felt like crying with joy"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolute Mayhem The Horse & Chains, Bushey on Saturday 30 September 2023 It's a rare thing to go into a local pub and hear a keyboard player who has been described as a musical "genius" by none other than David Bowie. This is no tall story either. The musician Billy Ritchie was the first player in rock music to give keyboards a prominent role -- and that was before Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman came on the scene. Billy told me that he remained good friends with the Thin White Duke until his death in 2016. Lanark-born Mr Ritchie now provides the skilful and fancy keyboards and records backing tracks for his latest incarnation Mayhem with talented female singer Carol Leslie. Carol is a really strong vocalist with a gutsy style. This dynamic duo started their first set at the cosy Sebright Arms with Elvis's late sixties' classic Suspicious Minds. The second song was a surprise -- Kirsty MacColl's comedy number There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears His Elvis. It was a perfect choice after the first song. Carol and Billy select their material wisely and give their audience something very different from the predictable Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl and I Saw Her Standing There, churned out by so many pub bands. So it was great to hear Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey's electro smash Together In Electric Dreams, Matchbox's catchy rocker Rockabilly Rebel, Starship's uplifting We Built This City (on which Billy demonstrated his keyboard dexterity) and Solomon Burke's gospel-ish Cry To Me. And that was just the first half. Carol is happy to tackle songs usually associated with male vocalists and she started part two with a raucous version of Bryan Adams' rocker Summer Of 69. If you have never seen Mayhem, ask Billy to perform Light My Fire, the Doors rock classic from 1967. This was a sheer musical masterclass as he re-created both vocally and instrumentally this great song. Billy has a rich, tuneful voice and this was a stunning performance. Other highlights in the second half included Journey's rock anthem Don't Stop Believing, Carol's gritty interpretation if Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman and a fine performance of Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer A total of 24 songs and I cannot wait to see this duo again. My only concern is their name. I think many club and pubgoers might think Mayhem are a heavy metal band rather than an all-round, top class duo. COLIN FENN, DJ, Freelance Journalist Colin Fenn, DJ - Freelance Journalist, Thursday 5 October 2023"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to say thank you for performing at our wedding on Saturday. Everything you played was perfect! We didn't get a chance to say so before you left but we appreciate your professionalism."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Sarah, I just wanted to email you to thank you all so much for playing at our wedding. You really did make our day that extra bit special and everybody commented how fabulous you were. Thank you also for playing our requested music choices and for playing such a variety which everyone could relate to. You were worth every penny and I will definitely recommend you to everyone I know!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This band created magical music that brought our wedding party to its feet. Professional, helpful and absolute fun - highly recommended."

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"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you, Lois and the band for the fabulous music last night. The organisers were thrilled with how you were received (my name was on the line here) and obviously grateful that you kept the crowd pleasers coming! Awesome! "

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"Great songs! Great vibes! Great performance! Was very surprised by the songs he choose for a male singer!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I was so glad to book the quartet. They were accommodating, professional and played at a very high standard. In spite of it being 'flaming June', the weather was cold and wet so performing outside was something of a challenge! My guests would have remained listening for a further two hours if they had the chance. The performance turned a pleasant birthday lunch party into an extraordinary one, thank you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much for playing for us, you created a great atmosphere for our ceremony. We really appreciated you playing many of our requests, such as Belz, and Chiri Bim Chiri Bom!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We were so happy with our choice for the daytime and evening music for our wedding in July. There is so much choice these days but luckily we fell we chose entertainment that was a cut above the usual. Hamish was very easy to work with and happy to take any questions we had before the big day including changing times 3 times and also rearranging the requested music. In the evening he organised a jazz trio that were superb and we couldn't have been happier!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"From the moment we said yes, engagement with Nick has been extremely professional, from set lists to planning around the environment they would be playing Nick thought of it all! Being the highlight of our function. Their upbeat and energetic performance had everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along. Overall, we had an incredible time at our party thanks to Nick and the Leathernecks. They are truly a talented and professional group, and we would highly recommend them for any event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A heartfelt thank you. You are an absolute gem and wowed everyone last night with your magic!"

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