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Since its self dubbed "re-birth" in early Autumn 2010, Fibbers well and truly put its self back on the live music venue map, hosting intimate live performances in the run up to Christmas by artists such as The Courteeners, the "monkey man" himself; Ian Brown and even the legendary Charlatans. In the case of the latter, a band whom essentially out-grew venues of similar capacity nearly two decades prior.
With its new look and now suspiciously bigger dance floor, (not to mention the sort of bands appearing on the bill for the coming weeks and months), die-hard Fibbers punters of old feared that the days of "York's premiere music venue" hosting acts on their way to being "the next big thing", were perhaps over? Friday 18th February, 2011 for me personally confirmed that such fears were certainly not true. This confirmation came by way of Sunderland indie/pop outfit, Frankie and the Heartstrings. The outstanding set was underpinned throughout by ex-pub landlord turned front man, Frankie's mesmerizing presence.
I first became aware of Frankie and the Heartstrings back in September whilst keeping up to date with the work of one of my modern day photographic idols Danny North. Danny and collaborator Tim Blackwell were directing a music video for the bands upcoming debut single 'Ungrateful'. From hearing the record and realizing that the album was on the horizon in 2011, I was very much so looking forward to experiencing in person how the boys approached their live shows of which NME already seemed to be heavily endorsing. I was certainly not disappointed...Good old fashioned poppy, boppy, if not slightly sweaty, indie fun appeared to be had by all as the band glided through the gears and Frankie gave it some throttle; the set progressed effortlessly. No pace or energy seemed to be lost between songs but just enough time proceeded to develop an instantly warm rapport with packed venue. Frankie was even kind enough to acknowledge and consequently move the redundant microphone stand he had cast a-side when he realized was obscuring my lens, an act of appreciated kindness that few front-men would extend to a live music photographer, believe me on that one.
As I continued to rattle off shots I even found my self caught up in the moment singing along, something I rarely do whilst concentrating on shutter speeds and the like. I certainly didn't need to look behind me to be fully aware of quite how involved and appreciative this friday night capacity crowd were feeling. Before most people (including myself admittedly) appear to have realized, the band concluded their fifty minute set with fan favorite and upcoming album track 'Fragile', in its full six-minute un-adluterated glory. As the reverb echoed and faded with the stage lights, I'm pretty confident that no-one who was familiar with these five fine Mackem lads could have been disappointed with the entertainment provided by their headliners this evening.
Frankie and the Heartstrings debut album, Hunger, is released today.
Check out more photos from the set over on my flickr account here
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