Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 1st 2011.

There are a lot of bands around who take time to get back into their stride after taking a considerable long time off from touring, especially when they are young and hungry. However Mercury Midnight with only a couple of dates since last August’s superb performance at the o2 Academy in Liverpool quickly recaptured that evening’s vibe and strode confidently back to a very warm reception at the Masque.

In the nine months since the band blew the socks off those assembled at the o2, they have been busy with projects and life outside of the live environment, however it is easy to see that Claire Louise Sheridan, Daniel Gleaves, Nikhil Aggarwai, Abdul Hasaballa and Peter Sinclair have not lost the edge that was so prevalent.

From the opening hiss and crackle that went through Daniel Gleaves’s guitar, the crowd knew they were going to witness something very special indeed and even with Claire being in some pain due to a spot of malice, the band delivered a set that combined high energy, strong, soaring guitar work and a female vocalist who’s gutsy and demanding voice knock spots off a lot of the competition in Liverpool.

Although the band only had limited time, they made the most of it and effortlessly went through some of their most challenging works, including the opener Taken By Storm, All Comes Back and Scream Out.

As is Mercury Midnight’s want, they never go for the easy option and by covering a Katy Perry tune in If We Ever Meet Again and giving it the edge and gumption it was calling out for with someone of Claire Louise’s ability the band showed those assembled crowd why they were so highly rated last summer.

They may have taken time off from performing but by the end of the night, nobody who had witnessed the gig, could ever say that they had rested on their laurels and not been keeping one eye on their ultimate goal.

Ian D. Hall