Ryan Hamilton House Party Tour

Ryan Hamilton House Party Tour

Hull, Ilkeston and Malvern

September 5th, 6th and 11th, 2015

On August 25th 2015, Ryan Hamilton released his first solo album and embarked on a tour of the UK to promote it.  However, this was no ordinary tour!

A little while ago Ryan took a brave decision to rebel from the music industry standards, start his own record label (Fanny Pack Records) and try and break down the barriers between the artist and fans.  So rather than booking small venues and leaving the decisions to a tour manager, Ryan took a different approach and posted a message on his Facebook page asking for volunteers to offer their lounges and kitchens, as he wanted to do an entire tour of house parties, as this would allow him to get to know the people who support him and give him the opportunity to pursue the career that he loves. As Ryan says, after all, it is the fans who pay for the tickets to go to shows and buy albums and merch that help him afford to do what he does! 

To add even more to the tour Ryan took along People On Vacation band mate Micky Richards to accompany him on drums.  Ryan also later announced guest supports for some of the shows including People On Vacation band mate Rob Lane, Lacey, Dave Kerr, Danny Gruff (Stafford), Scarlet (Liverpool and Leeds) and Fisti Kuffs(Great Yarmouth). Other venues included Newcastle, and Knaresborough.

House party shows usually play host to between 30 and 50 people depending on the size of the host's home. I have been to a few house party shows in the past couple of years and they usually consist of a set from the band (usually acoustic due to noise regulations in residential areas) and then everyone mingles and gets to spend time with the band.  I have always enjoyed them as they are pretty unique and different to a normal concert or expensive VIP experience.

Initially the tour was to be 7 dates but ended up as 9, due to popular demand, and I was lucky enough to attend three of the parties; Hull, Ilkeston and Malvern.  I was also supposed to go to the Stafford party but was unable to get there, and ended up spending the night sat in a traffic jam due to a motorway closure, which meant I missed that show and seeing Danny Gruff.

The first party I attended on the tour was the Hull party.  This party was a very intimate party which Ryan performed as an acoustic set.  The show was performed in low light and was lit with fairy lights and candles, which gave the party a really good atmosphere. Only Ryan performed at this show and it was a really well hosted party.  Ryan took plenty of time to mingle and spend time with people after the show.

Due to demand, the Ilkeston party was moved to the room above 'The Brewery Tap' and was hosted by Dave Tonge the host of the Noize Level Critical Radio Show, which is an internet radio show. Although the room was larger than the average living room it was only the size of your average bedsit, so it still allowed for an intimate show.

Joining  Ryan and Micky as support at this show were Dave Kerr and local band Lacey. 

Dave Kerr played a three song set including 'The Devil Wears Perfume' and 'Don't You Know Who We Think We Are'.  It was the first time I had heard Dave play and I really enjoyed his performance.  His songs were catchy and fitted perfectly with his fellow performers.

Also supporting tonight were Lacey.  I've seen Lacey play many times before both full band sets and acoustic sets.  I have always enjoyed their acoustic sets and tonight's was no different.  

The acoustic set they played fit well with the other performers on the bill, however, tonight's performance was something I had never seen Lacey do before. Tonight Lacey got a fit of the giggles during the first song, 'Burning Out', and the giggles and silliness continued right the way through their three song set, which also included 'Hometown' and 'Tonight'. 

Lacey are usually very serious when it comes to their music but the giggling fit tonight made them relax and let down their guard so what we got was a snap shot of who the guys actually are and not just the usual image we get of them on stage.  Even with the giggles the boys played a brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable set, but I think tonight's set is one of my favourite sets of theirs that I've seen to date!

Ryan and Micky's set was also very laid back at this show as they too indulged in a bit of silliness and also let the audience see the real Ryan and Micky and not just the professional musicians they normally see on the stage. 

Whether the silliness was in the form of Ryan telling Micky not to show off when he spun his drumsticks in the air or whether it came from the banter that was going on between the performers it made for a really enjoyable night.

Mid way through the set Ryan and Micky were joined by Rob Lane, as they 'just happened to have his bass guitar' there!  The three of them belted out some People on Vacation favourites and treated the audience to an alternative version of 'Lonely Fish' as you have never heard it before....

During the introduction to 'Lonely Fish', Ryan announced that it had come to his attention that the song 'Lonely Fish' could be played in any musical genre, and so they proceeded to take suggestions of genres to prove that theory, meaning that we heard a heavy metal version, a reggae version and a version in the style of R Kelly! 

However, the funniest part of the night was when Ryan played his cover of the REO Speedwagon classic 'Take It On The Run', which Ryan performs as though it is his own and is a great song, until he changes the words to 'Take It Up The Bum' and then it hits a whole other level!  There was not a dry eye in the house after this song as everyone ended up in fits of giggles!

The Ilkeston show was one of the most enjoyable shows I have been to in a long time.  I have not laughed so much in ages.  My cheeks and ribs were aching from laughing at the end of the night.  

All of the artists stuck around after the show and hung out with anyone that wanted their time.  It was so refreshing to see musicians that didn't take themselves too seriously and who were happy to ignore the music industry rules that state they shouldn't get too close to their fans.

The Ilkeston show was recorded for the Noize Level Critical show and will air on the 15th September (rockstarsglued.com).

The last night of the tour was in Malvern and again, this venue was upgraded due to popular demand ad was held at the Malvern Town Football Club.  Although this room was larger it still only held about 100 capacity and although the tickets had sold out again it was not oversubscribed to allow for a more casual show.

As it was the last night of the tour, Ryan's Facebook post confirming times and details, confirmed that they would be being joined by Rob so they could end the tour with a People On Vacation set and the we should bring our 'party pants'!

Ryan and Micky kicked the night off with songs from Ryan's debut solo album 'Hell of A Day', and consisted of songs from his new album including, his new single, '4 Letter Verb', 'Be Kind Rewind', 'Freak Flag', 'Records and Needles' and 'Respond To My Email (You Bitch)'.

We also got another rendition of Ryan's alternative cover of 'Take It On The Run', which now had additional sound effects from Micky, just to make us laugh even more!

Half way through the set Rob joined them on stage and they performed all the People On Vacation hits including 'Because of The Sun', 'Punk Rock World' and 'Rainy Day', along with another rendition of 'Lonely Fish', which they again took genre requests from the audience. Tonight's genre requests included opera, rap, metal, reggae and grunge (You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdV4yaICTqA )

 Although all of the shows stuck to pretty much the same set list each night (they were open to requests), all three shows were unique and thoroughly enjoyable. I found that although the parties lasted much longer than billed they were over way too fast!

If you ever get the chance to go to a house party on a band's tour, I would recommend that you do so.  The tickets aren't over priced like many VIP/meet and greet tickets you can get for other shows and you get a much better experience for your money.  I have been to quite a few meet and greet/VIP  shows which have cost the earth and for most you get to spend about 2 minutes with the band, where as Ryan would probably have spent all night talking and hanging out had you let him.

I think Ryan's approach to his fans and relationship with them is amazing and really refreshing.  I agree with Ryan, why shouldn't we, the fans, be able to get to know the people we support?!  I spend the majority of my income on bands and music so why shouldn't I be able to meet or get to know the people I spend my hard earned cash supporting?

My only regret with this tour is that I didn't go to all the dates.  It was an amazing tour and a unique way of engaging the fans. 

Ryan will be back in the UK for a full Ryan Hamilton band tour (consisting of Ryan, Micky and Rob), covering 9 dates, with support from Danny Gruff.  After this tour I don't think Ryan will have any problems getting his second solo tour a sell out!

Room 94, The Bottom Line and Dave Giles

Room 94, The Bottom Line and Dave Giles

Sound Control, Manchester

August 25th, 2015

Room 94 are a band that have never been on my radar and I've always associated them with teenage girls, but when I heard that The Bottom Line and Dave Giles would be supporting I decided that it would be worth checking them out to see two fantastic support bands.

I know that I shouldn't stereotype a band based on their sound and what I see about them on social media sites, but from what I've read they are a slightly heavier sounding One Direction that attracts hoards of screaming teenage girls........  and I was almost right!

 When we got there the queue was the longest that I had ever seen at Sound Control and it was populated by lots of teenage girls, eagerly arguing over which member was the 'fittest' and which member the 'just have to get a selfie with'. 

Kicking the night off was Dave Giles, a lovely Londoner who I saw a few weeks ago in this very same venue.  Dave's performance is just him and an acoustic guitar, giving him no loud guitars to hide behind, not that he needs to.  His set included the wonderfully quirky 'I Am What I Am', ' The Tree Song' and one of my favourites 'Bangarang', which he performed at floor level amidst the crowd rather than from the stage, giving us a more personal show.

Dave also treated us to a rendition of his current single 'Movies Suck', which you can check out the video for here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOx735sJT_s

I really felt for Dave as the audience showed no respect and insisted on talking all the way through his set, even though Dave gave a great performance and was thoroughly enjoyable. 

If you love acoustic guitar music and relatable lyrics you definitely need to check this guy out.  I can't wait to see more of him when he returns to Manchester in October.

Next up where The Bottom Line, who were previously a threesome, but are now a foursome!

Consisting of Callum on vocals and guitar, Max on Bass and Vocals, Matt on drums and now with Tom on guitar. 

Tonight's set was pure pop punk and included old favourites 'Drive Thru Night' and 'Record Player' as well as a brilliant cover of Wheatus' 'Teenage Dirt Bag', which had the audience jumping and singing along.

The Bottom Line also included a couple of new songs in their set and treated us to their new single 'Insecure'.

I've seen the Bottom Line perform quite a few times now, but I have to say that tonight they seemed more relaxed and at ease with their performance.  Their new material has given them their own sound and more confidence.  The extra member is working well for them and if the new songs are anything to go by their next album is going to be a necessity for any pop punk fan.

The Bottom Line never fail to bring the party and tonight was no different.  That said, even these guys had to put up with the constant chattering that was going on while they were on stage. 

I've been going to gigs for a long time and I've never really got the 'screaming fan girl' thing, you know the ones......  the girls who scream, flap their hands and hyperventilate when a band member blinks.  Or the ones that scream when the lights go down (are they scared of the dark?)  Well tonight I was in fan girl hell. 

At least if they are screaming at the band they will stop the constant chatting right? Wrong!

Room 94 hit the stage to an ear piercing round of screams.

As I mentioned earlier I had never actually heard any of their music and had a very pre-conceived idea of what they would be like.  I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Room 94 are from Hertfordshire and are made up of three brothers, Kieran, Dean and Sean with friend Kit on the drums. 

Their music is rock but verging on pop but it has good melodies and catchy lyrics.  Unfortunately, I missed all of the song titles that were mentioned during the show due to the chattering from the audience, but the songs sounded great. 

I can understand how they have created such a buzz for themselves and why the young girls find them so appealing.  They have a perfect image and sound for their target demographic but are also endearing to us older fans.

However for an old fan girl like myself I found the constant screaming a little overbearing and the constant chattering downright rude and disrespectful, but that said, it didn't stop me from enjoying all three performances.  I would happily watch all three sets again.

(Sorry there are no photos for this one as none of them came out good enough to post)