Artists: Sam Millar
Venue: Manchester, Academy 3
Date: 28th September 2024
"If the band can play more dates to promote ‘Virtual Summer’ then the future should be bright."
When I reviewed Sam Millar’s ‘More Cheese Please’ album, in September 2023, I said that had it been released several months earlier it would have been the perfect soundtrack for Summer. Twelve months later and ‘…..Cheese’ has been re-packaged and re-titled ‘Virtual Summer’. Signing to Earache has given the album the push it deserves, and an Autumn night in Manchester was chosen to give it a launch.
The crowd were warmed up by some old eighties favourites, before the band made their entrance at 9.15pm. Obviously the focus was on the new album, so it was no surprise (I actually had a sneak peek at the setlist taped to the stage) when they launched into ‘The Killing Floor’, quickly followed by ‘Fooling Yourself’. The material has an old-school retro feel, even though the sound is distinctly contemporary. I referenced the likes of Brian McDonald, Billy Squier, Eddie Money and Hall & Oates in my original review, and I guess they still hold true. The songs came across slightly heavier in the live environment, without losing their natural appeal. I don’t think the band get to spend a great deal of time playing together but were still really tight.
Those familiar with ‘…Cheese’ got to sing along, and even near the back of the room there was a cool energy, emanating from the band and running through the crowd. It was hard not to get drawn into the likes of ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Dancing On My Own’, and the ‘Virtual Summer’ material was complimented by ‘Eyes’, ‘Strangers’ and ‘Levi’s’, which were taken from the ‘Radio Gouda’ and ‘Holy Sass’ EPs. The rhythm section underpinned the sound nicely and James Thorley (Atlas) added the keyboard touches which give the sound that Melodic (bordering on AOR) eighties edge. Millar proved to be a very amiable frontman, showcasing some great guitar skills along the way, yet never over-indulgent, or at the expense of the song. ‘Neanderthal Man’ brought the sixty-five-minute set to a close and then it was time for everyone to reconvene at the bar close by, though some of us had trains to catch.
If the band can play more dates to promote ‘Virtual Summer’ then the future should be bright. Hopefully Earache will market and promote the album enough to bring it to a wider audience and we get more shows as early as possible in early 2025. Who doesn’t want a bit of Summer in Winter? Great stuff.
Review and Photos by Dave Bott
Gallery. All photos © Dave Bott (used with kind permission)
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