Mavis Staples

It’s not every day that you get the chance to see a living legend in concert, and when it happens, you know that you’re in the presence of something truly special. This is certainly the case for Mavis Staples, the legendary gospel soul singer and civil rights activist of the 1950s and ‘60s. For starters, it is an achievement in itself that Staples, at the age of 75, continues to tour, and what’s even more impressive is that her warmth, soul and incredible honey-poured-over-gravel voice are just as powerful as ever. Mavis began her musical career in her family band, The Staple Singers, who released their first hit, ‘Uncloudy Day’, way back in 1956. Since then, The Staples released politically-charged message songs like "Long Walk to D.C." and "When Will We Be Paid?," which brought their moving and articulate music to a huge number of young people. Mavis Staples’ solo work is equally as meaningful, upbeat and catchy, and in 2011 she won a ‘long-awaited’ Grammy Award for her soaring album ‘You Are Not Alone’. When I saw Staples performing as part of the awesome ZooTunes concert series at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, earlier this year, she set the place alight with her buoyant energy, soulful grooves, and more-powerful-than-ever lyrics. Accompanied by a full band and, of course, a gospel choir, Staples brought the house down for a feel-good, heartfelt show which emanated good vibes from beginning to end. Catch her while you still can!

Wednesday 20th August. The Lexington. Lucius. Two trips in the space of a week to the Lexington and 23rd gig of the year. Shaping up to be a great year on the live music scene. Me and my good lady tonight as my usual gig buddies were not interested. So the conversation usually goes “Darling, fancy a night out in London” “Ooh that would be nice” “Well I’ve got us a tickets for a great new band you wouldn’t have heard of” “Ok then”. So it’s off to Islington. After a swift one in the Wetherspoons at the Angel it’s off for some tapas along Upper Street. I am really looking forward to this gig as I love the album, its pure pop. For those who don't know them Lucius are a five piece band from Brooklyn fronted by two platinum blonde singers who play a variety of instruments throughout the night ranging from cowbells, synths and drums. In fact the whole band all appear to have a drum as one of their instruments which for a frustrated drummer like me is no bad thing. The three lookalike guys that complete the band exude cool rock chic which I think comes from being in a band that is clearly on the way up demonstrated by this sold out show and their return to these shores in October to a venue three times the size. We do our best to blend in with the uber trendy Islington set that are here tonight and luckily I spy a couple of old timers that make me feel better. The band hit the stage with the girls in a blur of blond hair, matching dresses and begin to beat the bejesus out of their drums and cow bells for the opening number. I am hooked from the first note. It’s a twin vocal lead on every song with their voices complementing each other perfectly. The harmonies are further enhanced by all three of the guys and the sound is spot on all evening. They rattle through their debut album in the next forty minutes and I’m in power pop heaven. Clear highlights for me were Wildewoman and Turn it Around which starts with some heaving had clapping from the whole venue and segues into a couple of choruses of Whitney’s I want to dance with somebody which we duly oblige. Band exit stage right and we wait for them to return and they do, not on stage but into the middle of the audience a foot away from us armed with only two acoustic guitars, a drum (obviously) and two beautiful voices. It’s a spine tingling performance of Two of Us on the Run and it’s a joy to watch five musicians at the top of their game in perfect harmony. We leave in good spirits with Anne thoroughly enjoying the night. Gig of the year contender. Absolutely.