• About
    • Ethics policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Ownership, funding and corrections
    • Complaints procedure
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
Brighton and Hove News
23 June, 2025
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Food and Drink
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Food and Drink
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Brighton and Hove News
No Result
View All Result
Home Arts and Culture

The Monochrome Set – Sussex concert report

by Nick Linazasoro
Sunday 13 Mar, 2022 at 4:24PM
A A
0
The Monochrome Set – Sussex concert report

p

The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

THE MONOCHROME SET + JETSTREAM PONY – CON CLUB, LEWES 12.3.22

There’s a very healthy turn-out at The Con Club which bodes well for The Monochrome Set’s appearance at the venue. A goodly proportion of the crowd take in local band and support Jetstream Pony who kick in with a good set. There are a number of sweet spots to be found across post-punk pop and the band knows where to find them and how to deliver them. Pre-dance Factory basslines combine with thrilling drums, buzzsaw guitar and cool vocals from both lead Beth and bassist Kerry.

Jetstream Pony live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pics Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pics to enlarge)

Opener ‘Seven Days’ confirms the band’s pedigree and one song after another, mostly drawn from their self-titled LP, consistently provide melody, rhythm and excitement. Shaun swaps between Fender and Danelectro six-strings to display delightful variants upon the aforementioned buzzsaw guitar. Eager ears may think back to his early service with The Wedding Present although they may be surprised to learn that, at that point in time, he played the drums.

Jetstream Pony live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pics Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pics to enlarge)

‘Trapped In Amber’ and ‘I Close My Eyes’ are significant successes and, by the end of the set, elements within the audience are dancing with enthusiasm. Stand in drummer Tony Bryant (ex Popguns) consistent and inventive work is crucial to this success. ‘Closer Had Enough’ is crowd-pleasing material and the only thing that suggests that the band has not yet fully embraced its place within the business called show is the diffident inter-song banter. Check out a very healthy Bandcamp page, ideally on the first Friday of April.

Jetstream Pony live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

Jetstream Pony tonight were:
Beth Arzy – vocals, tambourine
Shaun Charman – guitars, backing vocals
Kerry Boettcher – bass, vocals
Tony Bryant – drums

Jetstream Pony setlist:
‘Seven Days’ (from 2021 ‘Misplaced Words’ mini album)
‘Courses For Obstacles’ (from 2021 ‘Misplaced Words’ mini album)
‘It’s Fine’ (from 2020 ‘Jetstream Pony’ album)
‘It’ll Take More Than a Friday’ (from 2020 ‘Jetstream Pony’ album)
‘Behind The Eyes’ (from 2021 ‘Misplaced Words’ mini album)
‘Trapped In Amber’ (from 2020 ‘Jetstream Pony’ album)
‘I Close My Eyes’ (from 2020 ‘Jetstream Pony’ album)
‘Strood McD F.C.’ (from 2021 ‘Misplaced Words’ mini album)
‘Self-Destruct Reality’ (from 2018 ‘Self​-​Destruct Reality’ EP)
‘If Not Now, When?’ (from 2020 ‘If Not Now, When?’ / ‘Yellow Pills’ single)
‘Had Enough’ (from 2017 ‘Like You Less’ / ‘Had Enough’ single)

Jetstream Pony are on Facebook.

Bid from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The Monochrome Set make a telling point with their opening two songs: ‘Super Plastic City’ (from the 2013 album of the same name) and ‘The Jet Set Junta’ (single and opening song from their third album ‘Eligible Bachelors’). It is that they are a group for the ages and can choose to play perfect pop songs from across all points in their 40-year plus career. The third song, ‘Alphaville’ from their 1978 debut single, clinches the argument with an almost insolent ease.

Andy Warren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

As a group with a magnificent back catalogue, The Monochrome Set are entitled to be supremely confident in their approach. Their confidence is primarily demonstrated through the music itself. Frontman Bid exhibits a certain personal reserve despite the exciting music he is playing. For example, his between-song chat is clipped and oblique for the majority of the set. Nonetheless, he is capable of dealing very firmly with one unfortunate heckler in two words of short shrift.

Athen Ayren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The delivery of each song is spot-on. Hints of garage-punk relentlessness are leavened by either the sweetness of Country music or by a Spaghetti-western twang. There is a cinematic undertow to songs which occasionally seems to tickle Bid’s fancy. There is every indication he enjoys the group’s performance as much as the audience. It is also very good to be able to report on the current health of the group’s music. A particular highlight of the set emerged with ‘Hello, Save Me’ from the new album ‘Allhallowtide’. (Out as recently as 11th March on Tapete Records and on the group’s Bandcamp page.)

Mike Urban from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

When singing, Bid is a communicative presence. He can croon and he can belt out a number with elan. He appears to suggest at one point that his singing voice is improved by the drink he is sipping, but that there may be the risk of a corresponding deterioration in his guitar-playing. The latter does not prove to be the case.

Bid from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

Bassist Andy Warren has been in The Monochrome Set since the second year of their existence. There is a certain dislocation between his quiet, almost detached, presence on the stage and the excitement of his playing which continues to be masterful and essential to the success of the group’s sound.

Andy Warren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

Drummer Mike Urban’s sensitive and thoroughgoing pummelling of his kit has graced the band both in the 1990s and in its current iteration. His enthusiasm and enjoyment of proceedings from the opening song provides an attractive counterbalance to the cooler demeanours of Bid and Warren. Plus Urban has a rare talent in being able to play the cowbell not merely for comic effect. Keyboardist Athen Ayren appears to have joined the band for the recording of ‘Allhallowtide’ and fills out the group’s sound very confidently. Her keyboards range across subtle synthesizer textures to bracing fairground organ and her contributions enjoy a genuine interplay with Bid’s guitar.

Athen Ayren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The Monochrome Set are a cracking band live. Whilst they possess a genuine joy in their material from back in the day and can charge through it with an unruly and unbridled musical enthusiasm, they have the confidence (and, it must be said again and again, the songs) to select material from across their whole career. ‘I Feel Fine (Really)’, ‘Waiting For Alberto’, ‘B-I-D Spells Bid’ and ‘Jack’ turn the middle-part of the set into a triumphal progress.

Mike Urban from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

Following another fine sequence of songs ‘La Chanson De La Pucelle’, ‘Cowboy Country’ and ‘Mrs Robot’, by the time the set-closer ‘Eine Symphonie Des Grauens’ comes along, the audience is in a good place. They’ve received a master-class in how a group can transcend its own influences and become an original artefact and significant influence in its own right.

The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The encore is simple and perfect leading with the song itself ‘The Monochrome Set (I Presume)’. However, its relentless delivery appears to produce cramp in Bid’s left hand and fingers with a resulting increase in onstage chat as he seeks to recover. Indeed, the audience is invited to suggest what they would like to hear next. Shouts for obscurities are deflated as Bid recovers and advises us of the group’s service ethic. We’re going to hear what they’ve prepared for us and it’s ‘He’s Frank’, again from the debut single and magnificent stuff with which to end the performance.

Bid from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

Whilst that first single remains impeccable, The Monochrome Set are a 16-album strong group now and, across that treasure trove of wit and melody, they have created a body of work that all groups might envy and that precious few can equal. Very happily, as the Con Club’s audience was privileged to witness, The Monochrome Set can play it live as well.

Andy Warren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The Monochrome Set are:
Ganesh Seshadri aka Bid – vocals/guitar
Andy Warren – bass
Mike Urban – drums
Athen Ayren – keyboards

Athen Ayren from The Monochrome Set live at The Con Club, Lewes 12.3.22 (pic Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pic to enlarge)

The Monochrome Set setlist:
‘Super Plastic City’ (from 2013 ‘Super Plastic City’ album)
‘The Jet Set Junta’ (from 1982 ‘Eligible Bachelors’ album)
‘Alphaville’ (from 1983 ‘Volume, Contrast, Brilliance… (Sessions & Singles Vol. 1)’ album)
‘Summer Of The Demon’ (from 2019 ‘Fabula Mendax’ album)
‘I Feel Fine (Really)’ (from 2018 ‘Maisieworld’ album)
‘Waiting For Alberto’ (from 2012 ‘Platinum Coils’ album)
‘B-I-D Spells Bid’ (from 1980 ‘Love Zombies’ album)
‘Jack’ (from 1991 ‘Jack’ album)
‘Rest, Unquiet Spirit’ (from 2019 ‘Fabula Mendax’ album)
‘Really In The Wrong Town’ (from 2022 ‘Allhallowtide’ album)
‘Ruling Class’ (from 1983 ‘Volume, Contrast, Brilliance… (Sessions & Singles Vol. 1)’ album)
‘Hello, Save Me’ (from 2022 ‘Allhallowtide’ album)
‘La Chanson De La Pucelle’ (from 2019 ‘Fabula Mendax’ album)
‘Cowboy Country’ (from 1985 ‘The Lost Weekend’ album)
‘Mrs Robot’ (from 2018 ‘Maisieworld’ album)
‘Love Goes Down The Drain’ (from 1980 ‘Strange Boutique’ album)
‘Eine Symphonie Des Grauens’ (from 1983 ‘Volume, Contrast, Brilliance… (Sessions & Singles Vol. 1)’ album)
(encore)
‘The Monochrome Set (I Presume)’ (from 1980 ‘Strange Boutique’ album)
‘He’s Frank’ (from 1983 ‘Volume, Contrast, Brilliance… (Sessions & Singles Vol. 1)’ album)

Find out more at www.themonochromeset.co.uk

The Monochrome Set setlist (left) and Jetstream Pony setlist (right) (pics Nick Tutt/Captivitas Photography) (click pics to enlarge)
ShareTweetShareSendSendShare

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most read

Condemned: 8 council blocks of flats face demolition

Date set for reopening of popular seafront paddling pool

Nine Inch Nails at the top of their game

Disabled groups plan town hall ‘cuts’ protest, saying they’ve been silenced

The Monochrome Set – Sussex concert report

Brighton maternity deaths under review in national inquiry

Staff shortages force council to cut hours for customer services in libraries

Housing repairs backlog halved, council tells tenants

Conspiracy theorist guilty of shoving trans activist

Council joint venture buys land for hundreds of new homes

Newsletter

Arts and Culture

  • All
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Food and Drink
Are The Haunt my ‘New Addiction’?

Are The Haunt my ‘New Addiction’?

21 June 2025
Oh! Darling Delivers Variety

Oh! Darling Delivers Variety

21 June 2025
‘Nice To See You’ Thistle

‘Nice To See You’ Thistle

20 June 2025
You aren’t doing it wrong (if no one knows what you are doing)

You aren’t doing it wrong (if no one knows what you are doing)

20 June 2025
Load More

Sport

  • All
  • Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Cricket
Simpson steers Sussex into strong position on day two v Hampshire

Coles hits ton as Sussex see out day one at Durham

by Thomas Ridley - ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
22 June 2025
0

Sussex 322-9 (96 overs) A resilient unbeaten century from James Coles for Sussex defied an excellent bowling performance from Durham’s...

Brighton and Hove Albion sign Italy international

Brighton and Hove Albion sign Italy international

by Frank le Duc
17 June 2025
0

Brighton and Hove Albion have signed a 21-year-old Italy international to add to the Seagulls’ defensive options. Diego Coppola has...

Sussex Sharks open T20 Blast with a win

Sussex Sharks stay top of their group with T20 triumph at Glamorgan

by Blake Bint - ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
14 June 2025
0

Glamorgan 172 (18.5 overs) Sussex 199-7 (20 overs) Sussex won by 27 runs. Sussex 4 points, Glamorgan 0 points. Sussex...

Sussex Sharks open T20 Blast with a win

Rain saves Sussex Sharks in T20 against Essex at Hove

by Adrian Colley
13 June 2025
0

Sussex 23-3 (3.1 overs) Essex 177-4 (17 overs) No result Essex’s hopes of claiming their first win of the season...

Load More
March 2022
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Feb   Apr »

RSS From Sussex News

  • Man stabbed at railway station 22 June 2025
  • Planners approve £18m scheme for 36 homes on land next to hospital 21 June 2025
  • Sex attacker’s victim died days after court ordered retrial 19 June 2025
  • Jury convicts fake Uber driver of kidnap and sex attacks for second time 19 June 2025
  • A27 closed in both directions after crash 19 June 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy
  • Complaints
  • Ownership, funding and corrections
  • Ethics
  • T&C

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Opinion
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Sport
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Contact

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News