The atmosphere was electric, (as was the guitar played by Chris Swan.)  The stage was set, the sell out crowd awaited the start as the choir nervously took there places on stage.  The seriously cool lighting was dimmed and the performance that has been 8 months in the rehearsing began with Emily Griffiths on lead vocal setting the night off with a bang on the Battlefield.

The audience were buzzin, buzzin, buzzin (like do do do do do do do) after the small group numbers were sung and performed by 4LT’s, Kelly Alldridge, The “Mad” Dance Crew, (special thanks to James for the Choreography) Charlotte, Kara & Laura told everyone to “Free Your Mind.”  Whilst Lou Mac and her ladies agreed to “Hold On”

The show progressed with a diverse range of songs and lead vocalists from a whole group number, In the Air Tonight, to Olli Daffarn our very own sound engineer taking to the stage for a one night only performance of Nothin’ on You.  The audience seemed to grow in appreciation and there was a standing ovation after Chris Wood (Musical Director & Local Legend) on Bass Guitar kicked off the final track, Long Train Running, which was sung by no other than our fearless leader .. one Mr Gareth Henderson!

Final mentions need to go to James (Birty) Birt on Drums, who never missed a beat and held the band together like glue.  Swervy (James Suart) on Keys, he had the most to learn and didn’t let us down with a brilliant delivery across the entire show.  Also to Nicky Murrells who really did “Hold On” she made it through the show 8 months pregnant, and to Kevin Wilson who vowed to “Forget You” in the first half and announced his “Sex is On Fire” in the second half, for sharing his birthday with the En Masse Massive!

Overall a fantastic show that was met by high praise from the audience ….

“Absolutely blooming marvellous.  The best thing we’ve been to in ages”  Alison & Martin Debenham

“Great Show tonight- loved it ! Ending on Long Train Running was a masterstroke”  Karen Denise

Thanks go out to everyone that bought a ticket and to Lou & G for agreeing to reignite the flame and let En Masse make an explosive come back! … River Studios is proud of each and every one of you.

Next show dates to be announced soon .. watch this space or follow us on Twitter or Facebook!

It was a great opportunity for Gareth to show what he can do, and get some well earned recognition. One of the highest accolades was from Rich Costey (producer of Muse, Supergrass & Franz Ferdinand to mention a few) who, after only a few minutes of watching G at work from his studio in LA, left the session with the confidence of knowing that job was being well done. After working with Warner and Rich Costey to help Birdy deliver the best possible vocals and doing all the recording on the original track written by Birdy “Without a Word” we are very proud to be part of what is clearly just the beginning for Birdy.

We hope all River Studios fans will support the album by buying a copy!  She has a beautiful voice and has made this covers album sound like her own!  People Help The People is the first single out now!

Who will make it through to the live finals on Dec 4th …. U decide! (Well actually G will decide)

Good Luck to the En Masse Massive I hope you are all rehearsing hard!

Thanks Steve … we are glad you like it!

www.stevegilesonline.co.uk/blog/

Clean & overdrive sounds are taken care of by our truly vintage 1977 Fender Twin – an american model with all original parts and a brand new set of Groove Tubes.  Its clean as anything until you wind up the volume and allow it to push into that true valve crunch.

And when more gain and a more modern sound is needed you can switch to the industry standard Marshall JCM 2000. With its 3 different distorted channels ranging from classic crunch to all out ranging chaos this amp sounds amazing though its classic 1960 4 x 12 cab.

Both amps live in the studio amp cupboards and are included in the standard studio price for bands to use in their sessions!

I have been warned that what happens at the Dairy … stays at the Dairy … needless to say it was a fun evening with surprising only a small amount of singing and dancing .. If you want the full story you will have to get a member if staff to spill!

Top Marks went to Rebecca & Sarah who rocked Joss Stones “taking it back” …. Last but not least Gareth literally whipped his hair and closed the night as the fresh prince himself …. BOOM!

Thanks to all the EN MASSE members who came last night, sorry if you didn’t get a mention, but can’t fit everything in! Fun was had by all, the last hour was by far the best with everyone getting involved … back to the hard work next with normal rehearsal service resumed!

It was great to have her back in the studio. Her record company, 14th Floor (part of Atlantic Records and the home of Damien Rice, Biffy Clyro, Joshua Radin and The Wombats) are really pleased with what we recorded so we hope to see more of her soon. It’s a simple live piano and voice track, for which she was mostly looking to get the right mood and she loved our new “mood lit” live room. It’s a seriously chilled place to record.

Look out for Birdy on Fearne Cotton’s Live Lounge on Tuesday the 19th of July