The Hanging Stars have a way of grabbing your attention. On the strength of the soundcheck at The Rambling Roots Review last April, their merch stand was breached and several records purchased, even before the set proper had commenced. The Hanging Stars sounded fantastic that night, as cosmic americana with attitude, filled the room. They didn’t disappoint on that occasion, and predictably, they didn’t disappoint at The Bear either.
The Bear describes itself as an “intimate jazz and blues club showcasing the best in jazz, blues, roots and alternative music”. Without trying to be too controversial, it’s located in the less sexy part of Luton and is an intimate venue where the artists and audience cohabit a small, cosy space. There is no raised stage, and the audience sits café style within touching distance of the band. Seats are first-come, first-served, and if you miss out on these, or prefer to stand, there’s room at the back, all of about five metres away from the band. The venue has a great vibe, and if you like a beer, there’s a good range from local St Albans brewer, Mad Squirrel.
The Hanging Stars are playing a small number of gigs ahead of their summer appearances at The Long Road Festival in August and the End of The Road festival at the start of September. Before those summer gigs, the band will release a new album on June 19th, as Olson told the audience in confidence. Gerry Love, formerly of Teenage Fanclub/Lightships, an old pal of the band, was involved in the production of the new album. Olson didn’t give any more details, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Richard Olson, singer, guitarist and the principal songwriter, appeared a little nonplussed that they had been asked to play two sets, with a ten-minute break in between. Yet the band diligently and enthusiastically obliged, the first set offering a combination of new material and some classics. The Glass House, a brand-new single never played live before, was followed by another new song, All Your Yesterdays. Well received as these songs were, the audience always likes what it knows, and Radio On, from 2022’s Hollow Heart, set the tone in more familiar territory. The recent single Sister Of The Sun then set us up for the very different vibe of the final song of the first set, For You (My Blue Eyed Son) from 2018’s Songs for Somewhere Else. A more folky, country song with some Jerry Donahue-like Telecaster country licks from guitarist Patrick Ralla. Olson, Ralla and the other Stars, Sam Ferman on bass and new drummer Charlie (sorry, didn’t catch the last name) look like they would be at home on a bigger stage. Olson, cherry-red Gretsch guitar raised in the air, looks enigmatically into the distance; the swagger of the 1990’s Hacienda combined with the West Coast cool of the Byrds comes to mind.
A short break, and things went up a notch; the audience, with encouragement from Olson, finally getting with the programme. Olson started the second set solo and was then joined by Ralla, before the rest of the band appeared. The distinctive guitar riff of Black Light Night raised the temperature. More new songs were aired, including Olson’s favourite from the new record, Big Red Car. Yet the crowd called out for another banger, and the favourite, Ava from Hollow Heart, was demanded and performed. The final two songs, the McGuinn-guitar-styled I Don’t Wanna Feel So Bad Anymore and Show Me The Way (a new song, perhaps, and definitely not a cover of the Peter Frampton song), brought the show to a rousing crescendo. The Bear, sold out for this gig, emptied into the misty Luton night.
Supporting was Sunsinger & the High Seas. Singer-songwriter Simon Gutteridge was solo for this gig, accompanied by his guitar and, for some songs, backing tracks on his laptop. The band were runners-up in AUK’s 2023 AUK Twang Factor, and their entry, Worried Mind, was first up. Gutteridge has a voice way beyond his years with a plaintive vibrato not unlike Bowie in his later years. The songs are engaging and catchy, and it would be great to see Sunsinger & the High Seas with the full band, allowing Gutteridge to focus on song delivery rather than the technology.
All in all, a great night at The Bear, and if anyone reading this is in the vicinity, give it a go. It’s a great live venue, and they have some excellent shows coming up. The Hanging Stars are clearly gearing up for some big festival gigs in the summer, and with a new album for all of us to look forward to, there’s lots to enjoy from the cosmic rockers from London.
