The Turning LIVE @ Camden Barfly

A BAND YOU NEED TO CATCH LIVE

2014 is already shaping up to be a great year for gigs; many well-loved artists are set to be play massive shows. Nevertheless, I think it is definitely the year for new bands to break though, not only making new records but also on the live scene. There is every chance in the world that a young band can sell out gigs especially now with social networking sites, helping them to promote their music. After hearing one of these new bands myself online a few months ago, I finally saw The Turning live last week, and couldn’t fault them.

You would expect that an acoustic set from a very good electric band, would be nothing more than one dimensional but the energy levels and excitement shown by The Turning when they took the stage in Camden last week, were elevated. For an up and coming, hardworking four-piece, the size of the crowd that arrived to see them live, really reflected the fact that are gaining momentum, with more and more people discovering their music – and rightfully so. They began their set with ‘Magazine Street’, a punchy beat with clever lyrics that can also be seen on The Turning’s self-titled EP. This even made the lingering group right at the back (who you could say were more interested in the bar) raise their eyes from their drinks, move forward into the crowd and start singing along. Anyone who knows how to spot an amazing song, will tell you that by being able to draw people away from conversation to perk their ears and listen up, are truly talented. And this is exactly what The Turning did.

As well as performing a host of original songs, including personal favourite ‘Stand Clear of my Mind’, The Turning carried on the acoustic party with some fantastic covers of classic vintage tunes. A true highlight was their rendition of ‘Too Much Monkey Business’ originally by Chuck Berry. The only shame was that it marked an end to their fantastic set. It was great to see that they didn’t need electric instruments in order to carry their songs. You could tell that they were truly enjoying themselves on stage and in turn, this made the audiences’ mood lift instantly.

In news only released this week, The Turning are to support The Strypes at the end of December in one of their Homecoming Gigs whilst also announcing that they will also be filling the support slot on 3 dates of The Strypes UK tour dates: 20/2/14 @ Liverpool East Village Arts Centre, 21/2/14 @ Manchester Academy 2 and 22/2/14 @ Sheffield Leadmill. This leaves no excuse to miss out on seeing them live!