The Night & Day Café is a cafe bar and live music venue on Oldham Street, opposite Piccadilly Records in the city’s Northern Quarter. It has the cosy feel of a traditional British pub in the day, becoming a great music venue at night. The Night & Day hosts live gigs most evenings. One day a week there is a ‘Local Showcase’ night, dedicated to highlighting established and up-and-coming local bands.
Jimi Wade
First in the line-up is Cumbrian acoustic singer / song writer Jimi Wade from Kendal. His Musical Influences come from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tom Waits, Liam Frost, Johnny Flynn and Kid Harpoon.
Jimi starts with a new song ‘Where is your faith’ Jimi ends with “Salvador cover Jamie T”, a dirty blues version, which went done a treat with the Night & Day audience. Wade, to the disappointment of the crowd, leaves out his amazing teary love song ‘Rebecca’. Apparently the ambience isn’t appropriate; but if you can’t play it to a sitting down gig at the Night & Day café I’m not sure where you can. Maybe next time Wade…
Science of the Lamps
Next up was a quirky seven member (including three backing singers) band from Liverpool, folk meets pop meets rock and roll. They give us a nice rendition of “27 reject” a song inspired by the legendary Amy Winehouse and the infamous 27 club. Highlighting their eclectic style, they move on to a Brittney Spears number: ‘Toxic’!! Lead singer Kaya Herstad Carney introduces the feet to the floor for this evening. It’s an interesting mixture – but it works.
Cal Gaunt
Cal Gaunt is 17 year old Lancashire lad – a singer-songwriter from Bolton. He is currently recording his debut album due to be released this summer. Jake Bugg meets Ed sheeran. Cal warms up beautifully for his passenger cover ‘Let her go’. It’s just Just Cal and his drummer together. Word has it the drummer is playing his first ever gig. A great set!
Molly and the Band LTD
The headline for the evening are Molly and the Band, a four-piece, pop/folk band, again from Lancashire. Their style is influenced by KT Tunstall, Fleetwood Mac, Mumford and Sons.
They play a mixture of original material including their new single ‘on the run’, as well as some covers. Lead singer Molly Warburton is a tiny girl with a big voice! She announces “This is the only cover we are doing tonight – this is what you’ve been gasping: Mr. Probz’ ‘Waves.’ But she hits us with another:?Janis Joplin’s classic rock number ‘Piece of my Heart’.
Night & Days Local Showcase is a great venue to see a real mix of live local music, £5 for a ticket is money well spent.
