Gig Review: Dominic Lewington, Sophie Bernice, Edgar Jones and the High Rip - Carnival Brewery - 16

It’s back to the venue that’s a brewery, no problem there then. Today there’s a charity fundraiser for Garston Animal Rescue being put on as an afternoon gig by LEMAN (Liverpool Entertainment Music and Art Network).

Dominic Lewington brings things to a start with a solo performance of his unique sounding songs. With Dominic what you get is paced songs that are precisely constructed and use space to accent the precise melodies and gives wings to Dominics unique lyrical perspective.. He can hold a note and then seem to stop letting silence hang there, before suddenly the music floats in from the ether. Warm and uplifting sounds from a master of the songwriting craft.

Sophie Bernice has a voice capable of delivering sweet whispers one minute then roars of late 60s sounding blues rock the next. There is a huge talent here. There are a number of covers that demonstrate her vocal dexterity but her own material shines through her nearly hour long set.

Edgar Jones is a delight in the solo electric guitar as an acoustic almost instrument format. His amazing voice powers through some covers and his own material. He is confident and knows he can (and does) deliver as fantastic set. That voice bounces from powerful and bluesy to delicate yet still big and capable of filling the venue. Edgar is unique and a treasure and this set is both a demonstration of how to be a musician and wonderful to just relax and listen to.

The High Rip go from strength to strength. They seem to be a bout everywhere currently. Tracks from their recent album ‘The Rule of Four’ figure prominently in their set but there appear to be hints of an upcoming album with some new material played. They may be Indie in nature but they can move from a jangle to a roar in the blink of an eye and their material always strikes me as sounding simple but containing a lot more complexity than is apparent at first listen. Rol on the new album.