We recently had the absolute pleasure of attending Neil Campbell’s incredible showcase at the super cool Prohibition Studios! Liverpool’s guitar maestro was joined by his talented partner, Una Quinn, and his ‘After The Flood’ guitarists, Roger Gardiner and Marty Snape, for a very special intimate gig at one of the city’s best kept secrets.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
It was a night of firsts for us. It was our first ever visit to Prohibition Studios — a recording studio and events space tucked away on Arrad Street behind Hope Street — and the first time we’d seen Neil Campbell live! Having been blown away by his mesmerising guitar work digitally, a live performance is of course a whole different experience and this one enhanced our love for Neil tenfold.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
As we tiptoed along the corridor and into the intimate, cosy and rather quirky little 45 capacity events space, we were greeted by friendly music aficionados who clearly appreciated the finer things. Candlelight, red wine and captivating string plucking was on the menu tonight — served up by one of the coolest backstreet venues in the city and some of our most talented musicians.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
The venue itself has hosted the likes of Robert Vincent, Ian Prowse and JJ Gilmour, whereas Neil has been widely celebrated by the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, Classical Guitar Magazine and many top musicians, so it was always going to be a special experience. We were certainly not disappointed, as the evening began with the powerful Una Quinn accompanied by Neil.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
Una, who was described by BBC Radio 6’s Tom Robinson as ‘outstanding’, performed tracks from her latest album Inside Out. Delivering powerful, poignant and political poetry, her haunting voice and cutting lyrics had our hairs standing on end, with Neil’s masterful strumming complimenting her perfectly.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
We were lucky enough to have a table right at the front, but when I looked around it was evident that the pair had the audience completely engrossed — totally engaged and immersed in the beauty of the music. An incredible first set of the night and one that was encapsulated by 10 Men Dead by Marty Snape and Ian Cantwell — a track about the horrors and untold scandals of Northern Ireland in the 1980s.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
Following this dynamic set, we were graced by the ‘After The Flood Trio’ — Neil and two other guitarists who make up the trio for Neil’s After The Flood album. The 2020 album received critical acclaim and he has recently followed this up with The Great Escape — another mesmerising masterpiece that takes the listener on a dreamy escape to places far better than the current dystopia we find ourselves living in.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
Neil took to the stage again — this time with Roger Gardiner and Marty Snape — and the three supremely talented guitarists performed tracks from Neil’s latest album, The Great Escape. The sound of these three wonderful guitarists strumming in complete harmony is something to behold — with so many layers and so much going on at once!
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
The trio all performed majestically both individually and collectively and took the audience on a magical journey — capturing the imagination and dipping in and out of genres, from gypsy jazz to classic styles. Once again, we were ever so grateful of our seats at the front — completely hypnotised by the effortless finger acrobatics from all three, playing with delightful synchronicity and joy.
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
Without doubt one of the coolest and most captivating gigs in a long time. Choosing an intimate, backstreet hidden gem of a venue with a glass of red at the front proved to be a wise choice instead of the pre-Christmas chaos of the city centre. The night was rounded off nicely by an incredible solo loop performance from Neil — demonstrating his immense talent without an ounce of ego — and we’ll be looking forward to his next gig. You should too!
For more on Neil Campbell and to keep up to date with gigs check him out on FACEBOOK!
Check out Neil including the new album on SPOTIFY!
Check out Una Quinn’s new album on BANDCAMP!
Check out the Prohibition Studios WEBSITE!
Images courtesy of Adrian Wharton
