For the final night of their run of February dates, Sancho Panza greeted Nottingham in a more unconventional venue than most, but one that delivered nonetheless. A stacked lineup of poets and music provided a night of fun for all. Alice Beard talks you through the evening.
A gig at the library? Oh yes, you read that correctly. It had books, it had booze and it had tunes. What more could you possibly want from a gig? Given the setting it seemed only appropriate for poets Pan Ini and Caetano Capurro to provide their words and set the evening into action. By 8PM the night was in full motion- things could only get better from here.
“Each individual instrument blended seamlessly to create something which tasted truly exquisite”
It wasn’t long before Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers took to the floor, ready to bring the party in full vigour. With four guitars in the mix, you would be forgiven for thinking there might be too many cooks in the kitchen- thankfully in this case there was no such thing. Each individual instrument blended seamlessly to create something which tasted truly exquisite. The result was a collection of tracks infused with full bodied lyrical gleams, only elevated further by the accompanying jangly guitar melodies and thick, swampy bass grooves.
Tracks such as Mercury Man, hot off their newly released EP, introduced a dose of confidence and conviction to the set. Joss and Cam oozed charm behind the mic, the duo offering up an infectious energy which fizzled into their adoring audience as the set progressed. Paying For a Friend, a second offering from their EP only added to the fun and absurdity of it all. Unfortunately, the amusement had to end at some point. Thankfully the welcome addition of Greg on accordion aided in softening this blow, helping to round off this packed set with suitable levels of warmth and tone. Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers mark themselves as a compelling addition to the Nottingham scene, asserting themselves with vibrance and spirit. Make sure to keep a close eye on what they have to offer next, I’m sure they will not disappoint.
“sharp- edged funk driven grooves surfed the soundscape with an admirable ease and swagger”
Providing a much-needed break from the excitement came the third and final poet of the night, Jamie Thrasivoulou. His performance was directly driven, and he made sure to waste no time on delivering his punches with a passionate and unfiltered honesty. Although his time on the mic felt short, it was no less sweet. Now for the main event! Sancho Panza came forth with purpose and delivered on all fronts. Their sharp- edged funk driven grooves surfed the soundscape with an admirable ease and swagger. Their set managed to display an abundance of textures, all skilfully interwoven with poise and nonchalance. The relationship between drums and bass was a real treat to observe, demonstrating a boldly flirtatious relationship with a level of understanding and harmony which is rare to come by in many bands.
No more than two or three songs into their set and not a single still person could be seen in the room, every toe- tapping, hip- swinging track hitting the audience full force. Offerings like Kofuku and Sell It unpeeled layers of freshness with every swanky little guitar shimmer and swinging bassline. The entire set was a barrage of menacing yet seductive instrumentals paired with enticing vocal lines to round it all off. Sheikhdown was yet another example of this. If this song were a person it would strut, there’s no question of it.
For their final three tracks we experienced a scene of metamorphosis as Sancho Panza were joined by Joss, Fred and JP. Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers round two? We really were in for a special night. The room was already abuzz by this stage, but it was the performance of the (sadly) unreleased Your Place or Mine? which proved truly irresistible. It was daft and it was funky. There’s nothing more to say other than that this was the perfect close to the night, a rousing sing along track which nurtured effortless pleasure. You just had to be there.
This was an evening which proved unfaltering in its provision of quality acts at their freshest form. I was able to witness a remarkably curated collection of artists, culminating in a night which exuded all of the best elements of Nottingham in one place. If you missed out this time, don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Keep your ears peeled and get yourself down.
Alice Beard
Edited by Alice Beard
Cover image courtesy of Sancho Panza on Facebook, official Paying For a Friend EP cover courtesy of Wizards Can't Be Lawyers, video courtesy of Noize Boys Productions on Youtube
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