Live! - Samantha Durnan and Skinny Living

Two gigs in two weeks! If it weren't for the crappy English weather that would be a stonking start to Summer right there (COME ON sunshine!).

Back to my beloved Georgian Theatre in Stockton for a Sunday evening (school night!) of some live music. This time in the shape of Samantha Durnan on support and Skinny Living as the headliners. 

I might be wrong but I think that I first saw Samantha Durnan play in Mink. She definitely has potential - she's got a cracking voice, particularly when she rocks it out, much like she did when she covered KT Tunstall's Black Horse and the Cherry Tree. Yep, right there, keep that up. I think it's really interesting that she's writing her own stuff but that kind of ballad leaves me feeling a little underwhelmed to be honest. Having said that, she's just starting out and I reckon she's one to keep an eye on for definite. 

I had no preconception of Skinny Living. We pretty much decided to buy the tickets when we saw an ad for them on the screen when we were at The Strypes - impulse purchase! After Samantha Durnan finished I expected the instruments to start rolling out, but they had 4 microphones and a box. The box turned out to be the drum, and there were two guitarists, and the lead singer. Ooh but they were good! 

The band were funny, sweet, with good song lyrics, and a really interesting sound. Who knew that you could sit on a box and use it as a drum?! I'm sure it wasn't just any old box, but you know, clever! One guitarist used his guitar for some beats as well, and overall they had a really nice harmony that was utterly delightful and a real pleasure for the ears. They've just played the Isle of Wight festival so they must be touring around the circuit - I would most certainly recommend a listen if you get a chance to catch them. My favourite song was Storybook which you can watch below - but add two more band members and the special box and you get a whole other sound going on. I like. A lot. 

Oh and to the people behind us who talked their whole way through Skinny Living's set? Learn some effin manners and respect. Pet hate right there. 

Take it away, boys...

Live! - The Strypes at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

Those tickets up there were like gold dust. There's a bit of a story behind them. The Strypes were originally only supposed to play one night at The Georgian Theatre in Stockton but that gig sold out in about 20 minutes flat. Disappointed was not even an accurate description. I was in Brighton at the time, far away from home, but luckily very close to a WiFi signal. At about 12.30 am on the Sunday morning I couldn't sleep and I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw that they had added an extra night. I immediately clicked through and got into one of those timed ticket buying situations. Cue me running around a strange house looking for my purse, running into a slightly bewildered Debs on the landing who absorbed my manic 'they're playing another night' squeal, and much excited jumping about when I got the confirmation email. Trust me when I say it was all worth it. 


Actually, worth it is not really a very accurate description either. Oh my. Those boys. Those 4 boys - I'm not even sure they're legal to drink yet, but O.M.effin G did they rock the little tiny theatre (my most favourite venue). From the moment they came on, immediately warming up the audience by telling us in their cutie boy Irish accents 'youse are the coolest town cos you have a Doctor Who shop', they didn't stop. Loud, proud, completely commanding, the energy that came off them was amazing and utterly mesmerizing. They owned that room, very loudly.


With one album and an EP out there in the world, and their second album due for release at the end of July, they stretched the set out to almost an hour. An hour of relentless energy, attitude, and some serious head banging from the bass guitarist. It's hard to describe them - Dave got the whole Liam Gallagher swagger from the lead singer, but I think of them more of a punked up 60's boy band, with their smart skinny suits (except for the guitarist in his Superman tee), bowl cut hair, and their short but brilliant songs. However you choose to describe them, I definitely urge you to have a listen and should they be playing live anywhere near you, it's one not to miss. I came out absolutely buzzing with a massive smile on my face and my ears threatening to ring for days - all the signs of a seriously damn fine gig.