Originally published by L.S. Media. October 2nd 2009.

Sometimes you get invited to come along and see a band, you don’t know anything about them. You go along out of curiosity. It could go either way. You could be overawed by the superb singing, the guitarist could be the next David Gilmour or Steve Rothery, the lyrics could be amazing and heartfelt and you leave with a smile on your face and talking about the band for weeks to come.

Or you could stand there for an hour or so, not sure whether you should stay, just in case they somehow prove your initial thoughts wrong and get better as the long night progresses or try to slip away unnoticed without any member of the band watching you.

In the case of local band the Backbeats, it was most certainly the former. The seven piece group fronted by Amy Wilson on vocals and backed by Mark Rockwood and Dominic Hulse on sax, Ged Fox on trumpet, Alex Caskie on drums, Nick Kountess on lead guitar and Richard Smith on bass immediately put any doubts out of the assembled on lookers minds and played two excellent sets which consisted of Motown classics and up to date songs from the like of Duffy and Michael Jackson.

The band excelled in possibly the hardest surroundings, with the Circo bar not being the most easiest places to play, but even with it’s low ceilings and the audible chatter from the diners it was possible to imagine yourself listening in comfort to the vocal talents of the aforementioned Amy Wilson whose voice is reminiscent of a young Dusty Springfield.

The musicians must also get a huge thumbs up, considering their young ages, they were a very good compact unit, the harmonies were superb and tight and a joy to listen to and praise must be written for their playing on more difficult songs such as Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder and the wonderful Black Velvet by Alannah Myles.

Backbeats are a band that deserve to go from strength to strength and eventually become a regular on the circuit.

Ian D. Hall