Cameron Sanderson concert review

Cameron Sanderson may not yet be a name that is nationally known, but such is the qualityof his music and in particular live performances that he should be. He has, with his touringband, Chris Sims and Kera Stewart, developed a loyal niche following in pop and rock circlesand to date has a catalogue of Independent single and EP releases and a number of YouTube videos.
So it was for that reason the music of this talented up and coming performer had thisseasoned contributor of live reviews sufficiently enthused to hightail it down to Le Pubmusic venue in Newport , South Wales on a Wednesday night, to watch an eagerlyanticipated set. And, I can confirm it was well worth the trip.There is clearly a feeling of anticipation and exuberance in the room for his first Headlinetour. Then, Cameron makes a dramatic entrance from the back of the intimate venue like aboxer entering a ring to join bandmates Chris and Kera on stage. Without hardly pausing forbreath, he launches into the emotionally charged conversational “In California”, and I amstruck with reminiscences of the emotional lyrical realism present in many of the tracks ofIndie bands of the 2000’s such as The Kooks or The Wombats. The music, though, sits firmlyin the here and now with modern catchy melodies, up-tempo beats cleverly laced with rockriffs and dance pop elements.
Other notable highlights in the 13 song setlist, include Deadzone with its distinct pop punkfeel, the two tracks “ Get Well “ and “ Hurting Myself is so Fun” , that clearly allude to livedMental Health issues and the title track of Cameron’s latest EP “ Neurotypical ”.Parts of the gig, especially at the start, were a very lively affair with Cameron and guitaristChris relentlessly roaming the stage with seemingly boundless energy. The band were tight.The audience was clearly engaged. It was particularly enjoyable, as a contrast, to seeCameron leave the stage and serenade the crowd with acoustic guitar in the mid-section.Something that not a lot of artists do nowadays.Audience interaction, in fact proved to be a key element of the gig with there even being amock award ceremony for the fans in line with the tour’s aptly named theme “ This is theFilm ”.
A fun moment came during a cover of Smash Mouth’s 1999 hit “ All Star” when a mysterymember of the crew popped up on stage in a Shrek mask dancing in a way that would havegiven Bes from the Happy Mondays a run for his money. (For those younger enough not toknow who the Happy Mondays are, please ask your Parents ).The latter part of the show saw a passionate performance of “ The Airport” - my personalfavourite and the show wrapped up with “ What do you Want?” , a song that seemed to aptlyencapsulate the anxiety and concerns of the Z generation.Make no mistake, Cameron Sanderson, his band and “the support crew” (essentially familyand friends) have pulled out all the stops on the “ This is the Film ” tour to produce an ​original, lively, engaging and entertaining set that I would defy anyone of any demographicnot to enjoy. Producing something of this calibre as an unsigned artist on a shoestringbudget makes Sanderson seem only more impressive.
My advice to all record labels and festival A & R scouts, is to get your butts down to a show– pronto. This artist and his band deserve your attention.Words and Review by Darren Lewis , live music blogger (aka Londongigger) & former livereview contributor to Blues and Soul Magazine).