The Brand New Heavies - The Heavyweights Return

York fans of The Brand New Heavies have had to be patient – the acid jazz band last appeared in the city over fifteen years ago. The nucleus of the group is guitarist Simon Bartholomew, bassist Andrew Levy, and vocalist Angela Ricci in an outfit that mixes pop, jazz, and soul into a cohesive force that had the York fans up and out of their seats at the Barbican.

The current tour visits mainly seated venues, which appears unusual given the invitation to get up and dance via the Heavies' rich and exuberant repertoire. The band haven’t released a new studio album since 2019; hence, the performance relied heavily on their extensive back catalogue.

Ricci, a former model, created a commanding presence on stage. Her ability to connect with the audience and to follow the many improvisations that the rest of the band added to songs was commendable, especially on Never Stop and Stay This Way. The group say that no two live performances of their songs are the same: their dexterity and spontaneity were impressive, with a few of the tracks almost ending with a jamming session.

Many of the tracks were over three decades old, though the energy and respect in the Barbican remained mutual. Many would have been introduced to the band via the Pete Tong Radio 1 Dance show back in the early nineties; he was a strong supporter of the Heavies.

The brass section added to the often tinged jazz tracks – the tight outfit always crossed the divide between jazz and pop, though, with more accessible-based numbers such as You Are The Universe.

As the band concluded with Spend Some Time, any discerning music fan who appreciates funky grooves delivered over a soulful soundtrack performed by a band who are still slick and sublime would do well to catch a show on their remaining tour – just remember to wear your dancing shoes.

The tour continues with further dates in the north:

28th March - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
29th March - Manchester Opera House
22nd August- Scarborough Open Air Theatre (supporting Nile Rodgers and Chic)

https://the-brand-new-heavies.com/