Mostly Autumn at the Robin 2, Bilston

Mostly Autumn are the very definition of a cult band. No-one you talk to has ever heard of them but they pack out venues the length and breadth of the country.

It was business as usual last night as the eight band members crammed on to the Robin’s stage to what looked like a full house for a captivating two-hour show.

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Combining the progressive rock of the likes of Pink Floyd and early Genesis with a Celtic, folky lilt, the band showcased both the gentle, acoustic side of their music and a full-on rock bombast, a formula which has served them well for the past 11 years.

Not that the Robin gig – the opening night of a tour to promote their forthcoming Glass Shadows CD – wasn’t without its hitches. The band had to leave the stage straight after the opener, Fading Colours, while technical problems were ironed out – singer Heather Findlay joking: “Thank you very much, good night!”

Guitarist and singer Bryan Josh, a big bear of a man, with a deep, dark voice, is the band’s undoubted leader, but all eyes – well certainly the men’s – were on the captivating Findlay.

While Josh’s voice was sometimes lost in the mix, Findlay’s pure tones shone through. And she had some news to impart, patting her belly to announce “a new Mostly Autumn baby” on the way as she introduced the apt Another Life.

Fans were treated to no fewer than five songs from the as yet unheard new CD. Fireside was driven by Josh’s urgent, rhythmic guitar work, Tearing At The Faerytale was ethereal and haunting.

Overall the new songs marked the continued progression towards a more mainstream sound while still keeping elements of what makes Mostly Autumn unique, topped, as ever by Josh’s uplifting lead guitar lines.

Perhaps it was asking a little too much of the audience early on to string four of these unknown songs together.

Never mind, there were still plenty of fans’ favourites throughout the evening, with Evergreen, Distant Train, Heroes Never Die and Carpe Diem among the highlights.

New drummer Henry Bourne brought a welcome, looser feel to the proceedings, despite a few first-night nerves, while backing singer Olivia Sparnenn astonished at one point as she matched Josh’s Fender Stratocaster note for note as they both soared into the heavens.

Review and photos by Ian Harvey