I'd describe Matt Schofield as a polite player, he caressed the notes out of the giuitar. Sayce on the other hand, beat the living shite out of the guitar, has sex with it, hit it some more and then tortured the notes out of it. I know which I prefer to watch!
The support act was
Marcus Bonafanti who did an acoustic set.
I really enjoyed his set and he's got a good voice and can play as well. He only played 4 or 5 songs but it's piqued my interest and go and check out some more of his stuff. He was quite the peace before the storm.
I really didn't know what to expect of Sayce as I'd only seem some brief youtube videos of him. Well he came on with the skankiest looking Strat I've ever seen! It looked utterly $%&#ed and battered. The bridge appeared more rust than metal. You could see the underlying neck wood underneath the fretboard ends up the top of the neck - can't see it taking many more refrets, if any - position markers missing and the first 'E' string looked like it was literally hanging almost over the side of the neck. The spare slightly less knackered Strat looked like it was set up the same.
However none of that seemed to hinder him. A very understated walk on, some problems with some of the pedals and then BANG, he dropped the bomb! And what a bomb, mad skills on that fretboard and also a good voice. He sweats like a bar-steward so if you're down the front cover your beer! He's most definitely an entertainer and he worked the stage well. All of this is all well and good, but by christ does he have the chops to back it up! It was aggressive stuff, Matt77 standing next to me was getting showered in bits of the Strat paint that was coming off as he was thrashing away.
I like Bonammassa a lot, but for me this guys flair and playing are better, he's also got a better voice and as his songs improve and he gets more of them I hope that he'll get the success he deserves. Towards the end of the set he came and sat at the edge of the stage almost right in front of us and wailed, he then had a wonder into the audience whist still wailing away. Some might accuse him of being all flash with no substance and it's all just stage craft, but I'd have to argue he's got the stuff to back it up and allow him to do that without coming over as a c--k.
I was expecting a blues gig, but I'd argue that he's on the more rocky side of the road, but there was also some tasteful quiet playing in the midst of the controlled chaos! So he seems to be able to do soft and hard.
Those of you unsure about going to see him, I'd say go, you're not going to be able to see him for long in these small venues I think so grab your chance whilst you can. Oh and also, take earplugs or you'll regret it.
I think Matt enjoyed it.
