Articles - Entertainment

WITNESS (UK) Live In Hong Kong
Opening Band: The Yours
 

Date: 30 June 2009 (Tue)

Time: 10:30 PM

Venue: Backstage

Address: 1/F, 52-54 Wellington Street, Central

Tickets: $150 incl. one standard drink

Enquiry: 2167 8985

Presented by Lona Records

www.lona-records.com
 

WITNESS (UK)

 

It’s now over ten years – 1997 to be exact – since singer/songwriter Gerard Starkie and guitarist Ray Chan formed indie rock band Witness in the northern England town of Wigan. United by a love of Neil Young and REM, Chan’s animated, effects-laden guitars provided the perfect backdrop to Starkie’s angelic vocal and brooding lyrics, and with the addition of John Langley on drums and Dylan Keeton on bass, the band were soon snapped up by Island Records on the strength of a promising demo tape.

In 1999, Witness’ first album, Before The Calm, was released to critical acclaim and TV appearances on MTV’s Five Night Stand and Later With Jools Holland followed, as did tours supporting bands such as The Charlatans, Doves, Wilco and Embrace in between their own headline shows. The second album, 2001’s Under A Sun, led to main stage slots at all the major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Reading and the V Festival. One of their tracks, their Americana-tinged single ‘Here’s One For You’, appeared on American Pie 2.

After a hiatus that saw Starkie release a solo album and Chan move to Hong Kong, the two forming members reunited for a successful gig at Grappa’s Cellar Bar last October and at the Fringe earlier this month and are currently working on material for a third album. Catch them at the Backstage, backed by ex-members of local band the Academy, on June 30.

For Before The Calm:

“Tethered to neither trend nor time, Witness are a band to cherish.” The Times
“Hisses with the southern gothic folk of REM.” 4/5 Q magazine
“Stripped of all affectation, there’s an old-fashioned reliance on compassion here. An astonishing debut.” 9/10 NME
“A sound so wondrous and special that it sends a shiver down your spine.” Sunday Telegraph

For Under A Sun:

“A glorious rush of big tunes, surging choruses, effervescent guitars and universal lyrics.” 5/5 Uncut

http://www.myspace.com/witnessuk
http://www.witness.uk.com
 

THE YOURS

 

Jack – Guitar/Vocals

Nic – Guitar/Vocals

Nadim - Bass

Chin Ho – Drums

 

Formed in the summer of 2005, The Yours quickly captured the attention of HK audiences with their energetic live performances that blend squalling white noise with good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities.  Having re-emerged as a four-piece line up, they are currently preparing new songs for their debut album in a late night dive in Kwai Chung; aided only by the sickly rays of fluorescent light and a steady supply of budget-priced cigarettes.

 

www.myspace.com/theyours

 (information provided by the organiser)

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