Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24 When Conrad Bird, Ruth Lyon and Rosie Bristow decided to start playing folk songs at open mic sessions, little would they know that within 10 years, they would be selling out venues, soundtracking Hollywood films, and touring Europe and the US as one of the most exciting folk rock bands out there, with a fervent fan base to boot. Whilst their debut album ‘First Avenue’ was based around the dual vocals of guitarist Conrad and violinist Ruth, accompanied by Squeezebox Rosie’s accordion, their later albums added more players and moved into rockier and more varied areas without losing their folk roots.  Last year’s fourth album, ‘Solid Good’, delved further into Americana but retained the band’s sense of fun and adventure throughout.

However, the band have decided to call it a day and tonight is their last London gig before a couple of hometown gigs at the Cluny in Newcastle bring the show to a close. As a result, tonight is to be a celebration of what the band have achieved in front of a sold out Omeara. The Omeara is perfect for this this gig with its distressed music hall décor.

It’s an early start and there is already a decent crowd to watch Izzie Walsh’s set. Izzie has been making waves since her debut performances in 2016 and is a rising star on the folk and country scene. Playing solo tonight, Izzie enthralls the audience with her engaging personality and gorgeously rich voice. Songs such as ‘Take Me Back’ and the wonderfully named ‘Day Drinking Astronaut’ are perfectly gauged to demonstrate Izzie’s songwriting prowess and vocal range. As Izzie tells us, most singers have a song about the isolation of the covid lockdown for musicians and her song ‘Balcony’ is a beautifully haunting tale of longing. London crowds can be a bit standoffish at times, but tonight Izzie certainly has them won over. Izzie Walsh - Feb 24

The Omeara is a great venue, but the stage is relatively small especially now that the ranks of Holy Moly and the Crackers have swollen to a seven piece including a percussionist. Regardless of the lack of space Conrad is determined to make use of any free space there is and is as energetic as ever alternating between guitar, trumpet and vocal duties. Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24 Opening with the laid back groove of ‘Solid Gold’ with its funky riff and Ruth’s sultry vocals, it’s a grand start. The bass heavy ‘Like a River’ sees the first crowd participation of the night with Conrad standing on the monitors to get the audience to join in with the ‘yeahs’ for the duration of the song. ‘Sugar’ sees Conrad’s gravel like vocals and trumpet take centre stage whilst Ruth provides the strings and angelic tones – it’s an early highlight.  

‘Cry Wolf’ has a wonderfully fuzzy guitar riff and glam rock stomp to it before the fairground swing of ‘All I Got With You’ brings Rosie’s accordion to the fore. ‘Sister’ continues the rockier feel to the set with a strong vocal from Ruth with Conrad’s trumpet raising the song up a level. Referring to the stunning pair of Texan red boots she has on, Ruth introduces the single ‘Hot Red’. ‘Angeline’ is probably the most poppy song on the last album with its big chorus - it sounds great in the live arena. Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24

The original trio of Ruth, Conrad and Rosie come together to play ‘Comfort in Lies’ and ‘Bluebell Wood’ from the first album. They are welcome throwbacks to the band’s folk roots, especially ‘Bluebell Wood’ with its hoedown shuffle. Fan favourite ‘Punk Called Peter’ is a mutant ska folk monster of a tune and has the crowd bouncing around as does the east European folk fervor of ‘River Neva’. ‘Naked in Budapest’ has the crowd joyously joining in with the chorus of ‘we’re not going home’. Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24 The opening bars of ‘Cold Comfort Lane’ raises a big cheer from the crowd as the band play a storming version of what is probably their most popular song. The eminently danceable ‘Upside Down’ follows with its accordion led disco beat and violin solo, it is a cacophony of sound that somehow comes together perfectly. Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24 Despite the fact that this is one of the band’s last shows, Ruth and Conrad still have enough gall to encore with new song ‘If I Die Tomorrow’ getting the audience to provide the harmonies, and suggesting that there may be further adventures ahead.

The full band return to the stage and it’s time for one last stomp and ‘Devil and the Danube’ produces an adrenaline pumped up beast of a finale. If this is indeed the end then it has been a joyous occasion celebrating the wealth of material the band has produced. There are mixed emotions for the departing crowds and the merch desk sees a long queue of well-wishers chatting to the band and snapping up any remaining t-shirts and albums.

It’s sad to see the band depart but I suspect that this is not the last we will hear from Holy Moly and the Crackers.

Holy Moly and the Crackers - Feb 24