By Helen Clarke
Humanity Hallows caught up with London-based band Eliza And The Bear at Fopp Manchester after a pre-gig acoustic set and album signing.
James Kellengher (lead vocals, guitar), Callie Noakes (vocals, keyboards), Martin Dukelow (vocals, guitar), Chris Brand (bass), Paul Kevin Jackson (drums) took centre stage and performed acoustic versions of “Oxygen”, “Friend” and “Light It Up”. The intimate space of the ground floor of the record shop gave fans a chance to experience their raw talent.
After the pre-gig signing at Fopp, the evening moved across to Manchester Academy 3. The room was alive with the sound of Model Aeroplanes and the crowd grew louder at the arrival of Eliza And The Bear.
The boys played a flawless set and, very keen to interact with the room, attempted to start a rave complete with strobe lights and Callie’s new favourite keyboard sound.
They played their two biggest hits, “Friends” and “Light It Up“, mixed with beautiful medleys. “It Gets Cold“, had everyone singing their lungs out both in the academy and on the 42 bus home – Or as it was sung by tipsy Manchester students, “It get coooooowld”.
Humanity Hallows caught up with the band for a quick interview:
Humanity Hallows: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
James: I had no idea, up until I was 16 I didn’t know. I just wanted to have a laugh.
Callie: I just wanted to see thirty (years-old) and go from there.
Chris: I wanted to be a rockstar!
Paul: I wanted to be a veterinarian.
Martin: I wanted to be known as ‘Quick Hand Dookie’.
HH: A mixed group of ambitions you might say, but they led each member to a successful band. Did you guys go to university?
James: No, none of us did except Callie.
HH: Which university did you go to Callie?
Callie: Salford University, I spent a lot of time there so it kind of became a second home.
HH: What do you think of the Manchester music scene?
James: We love it, yeah it’s great. It’s our second best selling town actually, Manchester.
Martin: I don’t think I know any Manchester bands.
Callie: Oasis! They’re from Manchester.
HH: What is your spirit animal?
James: Anna Kendrick. I know because someone asked me this the other day.
Martin: Does it have to be an animal?
HH: No, it can be whatever you want.
Chris: A banana, I’ll be a banana.
As you probably noticed by now, no-one in the band is called Eliza. Their name comes from a collection of poems by Eleanor Rees called Eliza And The Bear.
All in all, it was a great acoustic set and a phenomenal gig.
Humanity Hallows had an awesome time and think these lads will go on to do great things. Eliza And The Bear are definitely a band to keep an eye on! Check out elizaandthebear.com for more.
Photography: Helen Clarke
Featured image: Seagoth “This album is dedicated to all of the people who can’t take a day off from themselves, to the people who have to face their greatest fears every single day – and to all the pain we feel, may we heal”. – Seagoth on How to Stay Wide Awake. While studying music…
Featured image: So La Flair Theatre Ellie Campbell and Megan Keaveney graduated last year from Manchester Theatre School. The pair met at a house party in their first year, where Ellie was standing on a table singing her heart out to Florence and the Machine. Megan locked eyes with her and knew they would be…
Featured image: PA As members of BTS embark on their military services, South Korean singer and songwriter Golden Maknae Jungkook is taking a venture into his new solo journey. Jungkook is celebrated for his outstanding stage presence and vocal ability to traverse different genres. With the discovery of his new upcoming album Golden, including 11…
Featured image and photography: Nathan Cutler aAh! Magazine highlights the up-and-coming talent of Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) students this spring, introducing the young artists and designers who are sharing unique, creative and innovative work. Our MFI Fashion Spotlight focuses on three second-year Fashion Art Direction students who are taking part in the university-led project titled…
Leave a reply