Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 29th 2012

L.S. Media Rating ****

Stealing Sheep have had an impressive rise the last twelve months, not content with giving a show stealing performance supporting Emmy the Great at the Stanley Theatre at the University of Liverpool; they were also nominated in this year’s inaugural GIT Awards hosted at Leaf on Bold Street in the last week.  Now at St. Brides Church, as part of an eclectic night of music hosted by All We Are, they blew the audience away to the point where the crowd simply sat and appreciated their dynamic music and with big smiles on their faces.

Stealing Sheep consist of three women who have the attitude of twenty men with the same talent. In parts the music reminds you of Tori Amos, but they are subtly unique in their abilities and give a show that draws attention to the music. Rebecca Marie Hawley, Luciana Mercer and Emily Meghan Lansley are three names that, with respect to some, should be bandied around a lot more than they are.

The main support to All We Are and their new E.P. launch wasted no time in continuing the good work by Carriannne Hayden and James Canty and played songs that beguiled an audience who seemed to take the three women to their hearts.

The band opened up their part of the evening with some great tunes that included Tangled Up In Stars, The Garden and the wonderfully expressive No Mistakes. There was a moment that many may have missed, such was the intensity on the audience’s faces as they took in the lyrics and musical experience that was going on in front of them, but on their own it was one of joy, a brief moment where the mask of concentration slipped and it was a moment to treasure. For all the intensity of the lyrics, if a band can smile, even for a minute moment in a set and mean it then the audience is the winner. In a night of great highs, this was perhaps the most poignant.

Stealing Sheep are a band that are going places, their drive and obvious passion in what they play will see to that and in the final few songs by the three talented women, that included a stunning version I Am The Rain and the beautiful Gold, It surely won’t be long before all the hard work pays off.

Ian D. Hall