Anna Wolf begins this year’s shows under a New Cross moon

An alternative live music variety show, where every single set - Dylan Gers, then Katy Neve, then Family Jools, then headliner, Anna Wolf - was cheered heartily.

The atmosphere was festive. Must be Friday night at Amersham Arms…

Independent Venue Week feels extra special since 2020 Vision kicked in. We're SO not out of the pandemic woods yet (ignore misgovernment, stay safe so we can keep seeing shows like this), but 2022 begins hopefully, at least.

This February evening, we’re back in a community space that has done everything it can to look after artists, audiences and staff alike. TheZineUK are repping, giving thanks to the universe that many of us can still gig. Having been welcomed warmly, Events Department has made this space Rocklands ArtBeat HQ for almost a decade now and it always holds many music world memories.

We’ve now adapted to looking after each other as a matter of cautious course.

Back in Autumn 2020 we were here

- but lockdown-traumatised, seated, masked, anti-viral clean and with table service to keep each other safe.

I get a flashback of that evening with Trust The Doc’s host, Neil, asking us to please stamp our feet, rather than roar our applause.

Victor, the enigmatic lead singer of MOSES had got lost in the one-way safety course to get round the building and run on stage before the vocals came in for the first song which the rest of the band had started. (He just about made it!).

That same year, Amersham Arms was also announced as the London leg of four #SaveOurVenues shows for 2021's #ReviveLive action by Music Venue Trust. More events and venues were later added and it spiralled up to the recent National Lottery tours - with loads more high profile names involved.

2021

We were here in May and June after Lockdown No.2, for ace fellow interdependent promoters, End Of The Trail and Kick Out The Jams.

By July, we the audience, could stand up again for live music performances (yay!).

On pre “Freedom (ahem) Day” weekend, the venue also became a studio for Roobi TV‘s music show, GET ON! (Anna Wolf is one of their stars.

It’s fair to say that the road to tonight’s headline began last Spring - cheers Lullaby Lou!).

In Autumn 2021, Manic Street Preachers faves, Public Service Broadcasting, played the (sold out immediately) Passport Back To Our Roots gig a(nd many other key names are regularly here, on and off stage). Tonight is no exception, spotting various music industry shakers in the mix.

The continuing best wishes for the space has been well deserved.

Hats off to Andy Palmer and team for this being a friendly location to informally dance, mingle and perform. Having a musician with northern soul and heart as venue manager, brings a character to Amersham Arms that makes it a kind space for a spectrum of humanity. What a boost to see the recent decorating and building revamp!

388 New Cross Road has always had one of the best grassroots stages in the land, but it's virtually a proper nightclub in it’s heyday.

Lotsa ace face space action across South East London! #GoLocal? Ah, go on then!

A creative community of locals, students and friends from everywhere. This feels like an Independent Venue Week celebration.

The beauty of #SELondon is not only coming from the capital's unhip and inclusive Lower East side but also coming TO it.

We're still taking #Safety1stGigs precautions but it's also beautiful thing see people's smiles (or masked smiling eyes) while socialising in the New Cross TARDIS. I’m glad to hear various people say that they feel safe.

I actually feel safer in live music events than many public spaces. Three cheers for caring.

42 Is The Answer To Life, The Universe And Everything.
The date of this show as 4/2. It's a sign. Right?

Rocklands gonna rock, so tho not an official part of either #IVW22 OR #Lewisham2022 - we're punx from the borough of culture so I made a Spotify playlist of 42 songs with connections. Feel free to suggest relevant song URLs to add, via our twitter @TheZineUK or Fakebook

Having staged local shows by Bloc Party, Kae Tempest, Nova Twins and more in Lewisham, Rocklands is still thrilled to recommend #FuturePicks. Much appreciation to all who check out the tips early doors, and who attend in person or in spirit.

It’s a big thing to attend any live music right now.

So many people's hopes and dreams are being raised and/or crushed in these end of / start of days. I feel for friends and strangers who can't be part of what they wouldn't normally miss.

Appreciating that, we take amateur snapshots and clips to share the vibe - even tho there’s nothing like experiencing LIVE music.

OK, the pic of Dylan Gers is basically a silhouette but actually goes well with his enigmatic presence.

After his sweetly-delivered (but with a rock bitemark) set, I asked him about a self penned song that doesn't yet have a title but caught my ear. Will be watching as - armed this evening with a guitar, voice and presence, he’s a seed with potential to bloom.

(A fervent footy to boot, maybe it was meant to be that the head of Soccer Six was here tonight too…)

https://www.instagram.com/dylangers

Speaking of such talent, Katy Neve, is a potential Great in the making.

There's a theme of vocal acrobatics this entire evening and it’s a joy seeing Katy play geetar as if Sister Rosetta Tharpe is actually shining rays down on the stage.

A jazz souled young musician with many places to go. Katy mentioned that she's playing with her band soon.

For updates, watch https://linktr.ee/katy_neve

Family Jools held their own, quality wise, with any of the rock n soul decades.

They impressed with a set of hooky songs, like the word "groovy" defines them.

How do you top such an impressive array of sets?

Anna Wolf is up to the task.

In a world of remakes of movie remakes despite overwhelming inspirations for originality, a genuine one-off artist is live on stage.

Due to technical gremlins, the visuals for the set are not happening this evenng but the theatre of Anna Wolf on stage proves astounding in it’s own right.

This is the enigmatic artist’s first gig of 2022 and some of the crowd have journeyed a distance to be in New Cross for it. Just before the first song it feels like we can hear a pin drop, don't even hear a glass clink at the bar. Then... let the jaw dropping begin.

Oh my, Anna Wolf, what big and dynamic songs you have.

…and sure, there are nods to Bjork, Diamanda Galas, PJ Harvey and Grace Jones amidst the comparisons but it's 100% Anna Wolf who holds our attention in this command performance.

With a vocal dexterity as varied as a mountain range view, she bangs the drums and guitarist, Mike J Wroe, brings the Rock power, it's one heck of a show, loaded with #StageStyle - (click here to) Get a ticket for Saturday March 5th in Hoxton as Anna Wolf - who obviously belongs on bigger stages - is playing the quarter finals of the Isle Of Wight Festival’s New Blood competition. Selected from thousands of initial names.

Before that, this evening’s event celebrates one week of Lewisham being London Borough of Culture 2022.

With Kate Bush and Michelle O Faith included in it's local music heritage, it’s particularly poignant and fitting to include Anna Wolf, among the “quirked-opera” alumni of stars who twinkle around here.

The crowd are crowdy - but drinking in every moment intensely.

There’s so much bonhomie and warmth between music lovers, they know they’re witnessing rare and special charisma. Each perfectly crafted slice of tribal drama-pop and fifth element vocal is topped and tailed by the audience’s high pitched cheers of excitement - audible, palpable JOY.

As TheZineUK is a document of music movement, 4/2 will unfold organically within weeks. We never just blog and move on. (see 11th October 2021 in the picture diary, for instance…)

If you were here, you’ll remember the moment: Friday 4th February 2022.