Live Review

Juliette Lewis – Stanley Theatre, Liverpool

• 25th May 2009

My SoundCity started with the latter part of a Fly With Vampires set that took place at Stanley Theatre, opening for Juliette Lewis and her new band The New Romantiques. Stanley Theatre is one of the larger venues in the city, not gig specific but vast and volumous all the same. Fly With Vampires have been touted by many as ones to watch and rightly so, the energetic Liverpool four piece certainly impressed.

Next stop was the Zanzibar to watch one of this year’s quiet highlights Peter and the Wolf, the delectable three part harmonies from Marc, Donna and Hugo, made Ben and Jerry’s for the ears listening. ‘Chemistry Set’ was most definitely a highlight as it perfectly emphasized the band’s sweet sound. Orange Unsigned winner Tommy Reilly followed. The 19 year old Glaswegian took control of the stage with an impressive start to his set with his acoustic-pop and raw vocals.

Then it was back up to the Stanley Theatre to watch wild woman of Hollywood and Rock ‘n’ Roll Juliette Lewis and The New Romantiques strut their stuff. It’s always hard for an established actor/actress to up sticks and make a crossover into the world of music, yet Juliette Lewis pulls it off beautifully. She comes across as someone who is geniuely passionate about music and this goes a long way towards her credibility as an artist. Bounding onto the stage she shouts’ Are you ready for me ‘cuz I’m ready for you’ a number of times. Too be honest I don’t think anyone was ready as her energy is unbridled. Owning the stage she reminds me of a female Johnny Thunders (and I mean that as a compliment) she has a 70’s rock ‘n’ roll swagger that is contagious and a glam rock feel to her outfits. But also showing a mellower side she sings ‘Hard Lovin’ Woman’ which is a beautiful bluesy number that brings to mind Janis Joplin comparisons. To her credit you forget you’re watching Juliette Lewis the actress and you end up being genuinely enthralled by the music.