Gig review: THE CHRISTIANS – Sub 89, Reading, Friday 15 April 2022

A pretty decent turn out for a Good Friday, however, you do wonder if the cost of living crisis, coupled with the lingering effects of the pandemic, are hitting audience numbers, as I would have expected a few more in for such a notable name as the Christians. Live music is a perfect pick me up and tonic, which is worth the entry fee alone and at a venue like Sun 89 you can get up close and interact with the band more than at a soulless arena shed.

Before the Christians were duo Tomorrow Bird, featuring solo artist Jen Bird, and Simon Driscoll from folk rock band, Burnt Tomorrow. Enjoyable and easy on the ear, their two vocals worked well together and they certainly had a few fans in the crowd.

I have seen The Christians before, thirty four years ago (!) when they were supporting Fleetwood Mac at Man City’s football ground. To my shame I headed to the bar when they were on as my younger self was not as musically rounded as now…

Many will remember the Christians for a series of hit singles at the end of the 80s and a couple of albums, one of which, 1990’s ‘Colour, topped the UK album charts. Vocalist and charismatic frontman Garry Christian remains as the sole original member, joined by Joey Ankrah (vocals & lead guitar), Neil Griffiths (acoustic guitar and vocals), Craig Connet (drums), Bobby Kewley (bass) and Mike Triggs (keyboards).

The gig nearly stopped as soon as it started after the first couple of songs Garry Christian was asking the venue staff for a towel and water, not an unreasonable request. Throughout the set he was in in good spirits, with a sharp wit dealing with audience quips and wishing for Everton to stay up – maybe not what you’d expect from a lifelong Liverpool supporter!

The singing of Garry Christian and Joey Ankrah was simply superb. They both have rich, soulful, melodic vocals and Joey is a top notch guitarist too. Their hits ‘Born Again’ and ‘Words’ (dedicated to all the couples in the audience) received a warm reception from the audience. The musicianship of the band is really something to behold, each one playing an important part to the band’s overall sound.

‘Greenbank Drive’ gave the audience a chance to contribute with an extended set of ‘woah-oh-oh’s’, which Garry informed us was good for our health to sing with as much gusto as possible. The song segued in parts of the classic ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’, one to get the old feet tapping along too.

The band were on a roll with ‘Forgotten Town’, ‘Ideal World’ and ‘When The Finger Points’ all being lapped up by the enthusiastic crowd. The latter saw plenty of boogieing from some of the audience.

A strict ten o’clock curfew meant they were quickly back on for an encore. ‘Sad Songs’ was the song of the night for this reviewer. Something about the band’s performance of it made it very special indeed. They closed with their biggest hit, the Isley Brothers cover ‘Harvest For The World’, which you can’t really follow and provided a fitting finale to one of the best gigs I have witnessed in many a year.

They are on tour throughout the coming months, including festival appearances at Cornbury and Weyfest amongst others, and they are well worth seeing. Fame maybe fleeting but class is permanent as the Christians proved tonight in Reading.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)