Philip Sayce / The Cluny / Newcastle

Nov 26

Nov 26 Philip Sayce / The Cluny / Newcastle

A trip up to Newcastle, and a visit to The Cluny, another venue ticked off our bucket list. A wonderful venue, a bar serving some really nice food and stairs at the back leading upstairs to the music venue, stage at one end, with a balcony along the side. I guess it holds something like 200-300 people and it has a brilliant atmosphere.

We’re here for what I hope is a real treat, with two guitar virtuosos on offer.

First up on stage, we welcome Troy Redfern, one of the best slide guitar players there is, who delivers a stunning 40min set of his own style of beautiful blues rock music. Through the set Troy switches through a range of guitars including some incredible looking metal bodied blues guitars, one of which I though he said was made in 1933 !

It’s a vey distinctive style, heavy with a real intensity, pushing the boundaries of the slide technique. His music has a great soulful feel to it, and delivers an emotional depth through his story telling vocals.

For me, song of the set goes to Getaway, Troy’s latest single which has had over 140,000 views on YouTube within a month of release its easy to see why with its screeching highs and speaker thumping bass tones. The place is buzzing, and I have to say, for a small, intimate grass roots venue, the sound system at The Cluny is exceptional delivery the music loud, but crystal clear.

Another highlight is the final number Sanctify which is a real boot tappin’ blues number. Troy delivering some powerful and fast riffs, raising the roof on the old place. A fantastic opening from a very talented and entertaining artist. With a new album due out in 2024 Troy is running a crowdfunding campaign. To be part of the album experience, you can join the campaign HERE.

Set List

Waiting for Your Love

Getaway

Dark Religion

Native

Come On

Sweet Carolina

Sanctify

Welsh born (in 1974 in Aberystwyth), Philip is a Welsh-American-Canadian guitarist, singer, songwriter, performer, and producer. Best known for his incredible skills with a Fender Strat, and is most often seen using his 1963 white Strat called “Mother”. He has toured with Uncle Kracker, and played guitar for Jeff Healey and Melissa Etheridge. He also performed at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York, seen by many as the best performance of the festival.

So, we welcome Philip Sayce to the stage, and I had to laugh as the set list was put down on the stage, written on a paper plate as he dives right into Out of my Mind and its immediately obvious, just how good a guitar player Philip is. Watching him close up at the front of the stage, the fingers of his left hand slide effortlessly over the strings, as his right hand plucks the string creating a soundscape that feels greater than its parts.

Throughout the set Philip interacted and conversed with the crowd, talking about the meaning of the songs, and the reasons for their names. One touching moment was his rendition of Once from his “Spirit Rising” album, which he dedicated to his late father. The crowd embraced the moment, joining in, clapping along to the rhythm.

The audience is a great mix, of older blues rock fans and younger folk which is brilliant to see, and his performance is igniting the atmosphere. The Cluny is absolutely packed, and roasting too. The connection between crowd and artist is clear and genuine.

It’s so clear, the passion for his craft that Philip has, perhaps no more evident than in the track Beautiful written about his wife. There wasn’t a weak, or poor track in the set tonight, but my favourite performances were It’s Over Now and final track I’m Going Home, which comes form his 2015 album “Influence”.

As I walk out in to the crisp, cold northern air afterwards to walk back to my hotel, I mull over what I’ve just seen and heard. Philip Sayce and Troy Redfern, are both names perhaps not that well known to most people, but they really should be. Both masters of their styles of guitar play, both able to create sounds far greater than their component parts. Its loud, fast, furious, moving and emotional in equal measure…. But above all technically immaculate, and delivered with real, heartfelt passion.

Keep your eyes peeled for future shows, you won’t be disappointed !

Set List

Out of my Mind

Steamroller

Powerful Thing

Backwater

Bitter Monday

Once

It’s Over Now

Blues Ain’t Nothing but a Good Woman on Your Mind

Standin’ Round Crying

Aberystwyth