[HKClubbing]

Fans of Witness, the highly-acclaimed indie/alt-country rock act from the northern England town of Wigan, are in for a unique treat, as the band?s forming members, guitarist Ray Chan and vocalist Gerard Starkie, are reforming for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion show, right here in Hong Kong.


?Contemporaries and friends of Wigan?s other famous sons, the Verve, who recently headlined Japan?s Summer Sonic festival, Witness were hailed as new indie hopes when the group?s debut, Before the Calm was released in 1999. The album was universally applauded, drawing much of its strength from Chan?s lithe guitar and vocalist Starkie?s sore-throated angel?s voice and haunting lyrics.
Their second album, Under a Sun, offered their growing fan-base a look at a more mature, reflective Witness, imbued with a newfound confidence, and gained similar plaudits from the likes of NME, Q and the Times. Where Before the Calm offered a raw soulfulness, Under a Sun gave listeners a soaring soundscape, from calm, reflective elegies to huge anthemic surges.
Since going their separate ways in 2004, Witness have only diversified and grown musically, and it is a huge honour that they have chosen to play this show right here in Hong Kong. Guitarist Ray Chan, who has roots in the territory and now calls the city his home, explains why they chose to reunite. ?It?s been four years since we?ve played together but the songs are as relevant now as they were when we wrote them. Hong Kong is the perfect place to show that we?re as committed as ever to the music that brought us together in the first place.? Gerard Starkey, who, along with his role as lead singer, shares guitar duties with Chan, is excited about coming to the territory for the first time. ?We?ve played Glastonbury, we?ve played festivals and clubs all around Europe and the UK but this is the first time that we?ve been able to bring our songs to Asia. From what Ray tells us, we?re set to get a fantastic reception from the crowds here.?
Witness are sure to appeal to new listeners as much as their die-hard fans from the old days, and Grappa?s Cellar ? fast emerging as the premier venue for live music in Hong Kong ? is set to be shook to its foundations as the boys from Wigan Pier show Southern China the true meaning of Northern Soul.
Praise for Witness:
?(Under a Sun delivers) a glorious rush of big tunes, surging choruses, effervescent guitars and universal lyrics?
Uncut (5/5)
?Inescapable beauty? drenched in composure and reflection, (Before the Calm) is intensity personified?
Melody Maker (4/5)
?(Before the Calm) is a highly accomplished debut? a contender for best album of 1999?
Uncut (4/5)
?Hisses with the southern gothic folk rock of early REM?
Q (4/5)
?Stripped of all affectation? there?s an old-fashioned reliance on compassion here? (Before the Calm) is an astonishing debut?
NME (9/10)
?A sound so wondrous it will send a shiver down your spine?
Sunday Telegraph
?Tethered to neither trend nor time... Witness are a band to cherish?


The Times

(information provided by the organiser)