Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Saturday July 20, 2013 :
Six years ago, I watched a group of school friends rehearse at the Loft Youth Venue. At a time when emo music was popular, their acoustic melodies and cheerful lyrics were a refreshing change. The Benjalu boys mesmerised me back then and their musicianship has only improved as time has passed. The line-up has changed little since but the addition of guitarist/vocalist Nick Saxon, drummer Nick Cook and an ever evolving sound has kept their music fresh and punters wanting more.
As their popularity increases, Newcastle was happy to welcome Benjalu home with arms wide open. On the back of touring with Ash Grunwald, the boys returned to The Cambridge to showcase their fourth EP, The Battle, to another sold-out crowd. As Sacko and Tony flashed cheeky grins, Gumby sang “come on little darling, take my hand and follow me,” and without hesitation the audience was swept away.
Refusing to be confined to any one genre, Benjalu blended folk, roots and reggae vibes with enthusiastic tambourine, strong riffs and rousing percussion. Front-man Gumby’s distinct vocals are reminiscent of early singer songwriters and were particularly notable in his solo tribute ‘Sugar Man’ to legendary Rodriguez. Only Benjalu with their laid-back, easy going nature could randomly meet the man in a bar up the coast and not be fazed by his status.
Old favourites like ‘My Shelter My Fortress’ were performed alongside newer hits including ‘Way to the Coast’ which depicts the perfect soundtrack for a summer’s day. As the night wore on fans called for more and were treated to a reggae inspired Gorillaz cover when support act Lotek joined Benjalu onstage for an encore.
With the promise of a fifth EP later in the year, rumours of a debut album and an ever growing list of shows, Benjalu are proof that nothing is out of reach.
Reviewer and Photographer: Mel Woodward
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