PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
A week ago today, Toronto’s The Commoners came to play the penultimate date of their UK Summer Tour at The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Joining them as a special guest and main support is guitarist and singer-songwriter Madison Galloway.
Madison Galloway sets our spirits free on this hot summer evening and rocks us with her sassy blues rock and roll, delivering a blistering six-song set, including a cover of a Black Crowes song. The three-piece includes Nik on keys and George on drums.
Galloway takes to the stage which is lit by pink strip lights, this is going to be interesting to take pictures of, I think. Freedom opens the set, warming the air with her soulful gigantic vocals and guitar playing. Madison Galloway shows her prowess on Love Like Yours, she is bold and harmonious, and the rhythm of the chorus feels familiar, a bit like a very slow version of Soil’s ‘Halo’ on the words ‘ I’ve been searching for… ah!
It’s a brilliant set so far for the newcomer, Madison Galloway is one to keep your eyes on. Hailing from Fergus, Ontario, the band tells us they are enjoying the tour and being in England supporting The Commoners and will be sad to return home as tonight is their last show of the tour.
The crowd enjoys what they hear. Blues-grass foot stomper Devil In Her Eye receives welcome applause. Whilst tuning up her guitar for the next song. Nik plays a few notes on the keys and drummer George gently taps at the symbols. Right then Galloway, finds her guitar pitch and strums in on her cover of The Black Crowes’ ‘She Talks To Angels’. It’s a favourite song of mine and Galloway makes a great effort to the song. It was passion felt, but also a little too polished, with those big style ‘r’s crippling the ‘alright’s’, on the line ‘The pain gonna make everything alright, alright’; sorry, sometimes less is more.
If you like a good cover, you can hear Madison’s impressive version of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” over on her Bandcamp page, the power of that song suits her vocal styling to a T! Personally in the short space of time I would have liked to of heard more of Galloway’s songs.
The crowd has come together to support live music tonight and although it’s not a full-house it’s great to see many happy faces. Closing with Open Your Eyes, it is everything you want from a blues rock song; with dynamic riffs, soulful harmonies and a Hammond Organ style that nods towards the Allman Brothers band.
Madison Galloway is a fun joyful artist, making good waves for herself in the music scene. I hope she’s back again soon.
Madison Galloway Setlist
Freedom, Love Like Yours, The River, Devil In Her Eye, She Talks To Angels (cover), Open Your Eyes.
LINKS – https://madisongalloway.bandcamp.com/album/madison-galloway| https://www.facebook.com/madisongallowaymusic|
Photo gallery here – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBBPDY
THE COMMONERS
Hot on the tail of their latest album ‘ Restless’, released on 5th July, this year. Canadian blues masters, The Commoners are in full flow and coming to the end of their nine-date UK Summer Tour which began on 19th July.
Tonight is the penultimate tour date, which could be classed as a warm-up show before their performance at Steelhouse Festival tomorrow. It’s an event I would love to see the band at.
With no set list sitting on the stage, I’m guessing the guys have a list of planned songs to run through which they may alter one or two of depending on their mood. I can tell you ‘all’ of the new ‘Restless’ album songs were played except for ‘ All That We Have’.
I first saw The Commoners following the release of their sophomore album ‘Find A Better Way’ a brilliant and superb album that you should go check out if you haven’t already.
You’ve got their number, opening with the sublime ‘Shake You Off ‘ the retro-heavy vibes take you on a rock and roll escapade. My highlight songs off the new album played tonight were: ‘Devil Teasing Me’, its sun-drenched Southern blues with big vibrant optimism. Going in the opposite direction for sound is the psychedelic heavy ‘Body and Soul’. A song which the band toured. I can hear now why they thought it worthy to make its way onto the Restless album. Chris Medhurst displays a range of vocal emotions, from rock solid to spirited and provocative. I love the easiness of ‘Too Soon to Know You’, it is a summer love song, doused with more southern country rock. The crowd loves it!
Taking down the pace, the inspirational ‘Restless’, harmonic vibes resonate out into its adoring audience. Keeping the pace, on the next song ‘See You Again’, Ross Citrullo paves the way on his acoustic lead guitar. Medhurst’s smokey vocals reminisce as the band plays this song as a homage to drummer, Adam Cannon, who lost his father when they were last touring in May 2023, a tough song and a tough decision was made for the band to keep touring; as that’s what Cannon’s dad would’ve wanted.
Throwing some covers into the set to mix it up, ‘Gone Without Warning’ is the final song to be played from Restless.
We are promised two more songs if we. the crowd are loud enough, as the band exits the stage.
The crowd cheers (loud) and so the band returns with the melodic ‘Fill My Cup’, it might be on the softer side but it has a big impact and is one of my favourites on the album. Medhurst, power-houses his vocals, with all the gritty rawness he has to offer; Allmond Brother’s please move over.
Asking if we are feeling alright, the next song is about friends and getting to up mischief with them! Thanking the crowd for being here tonight, and for buying their albums and the support, The Commoners close the set with the sensational ‘Feeling Alright’.
If you missed out on this tour, worry not, The Commoners promise to be back in November this year!
Photo gallery here – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBBKV2
The Commoners Setlist
Shake You Off, Who Are You, Devil Teasing Me, Body & Soul, Too Soon To Know You, Restless, See You Again, Deadlines (Cover), The Way I Am, Gone Without Warning, Fill My Cup, Feeling Alright.
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THE COMMONERS: Chris Medhurst (lead vocals), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar), Ben Spiller (bass guitar), Adam Cannon (drums), and Miles Evans (keyboards).
