REVIEW: The Contenders at Lewes
IN THE winter of 1836 an avalanche of snow fell from the Downs surrounding Lewes, bulldozing a row of cottages into the river Ouse, taking with it eight lives.
It is not clear whether it was simply the overwhelming weight of snow that triggered the fall or had a sudden loud sound induced the deluge that was to engulf the startled residents of South Street.
What is certain is that had The Contenders been playing that fateful night there would be no doubting where to point the finger of blame.
This tight four-piece combo don't so much as play the blues as ooze it, with loud and proud vocals/lead, bass, drums and rhythm/harmonica being delivered with the seemingly effortless confidence that only the truly gifted can pull off.
No vein-bursting posturing was required to set the onlookers limbs tapping and clapping.
Instead the band provided an understated masterclass in what makes for a quality pub gig; a well-rehearsed repertoire presented by musicians with more talent that ego.
Towards the end of the evening some of the audience could resist the urge no longer and danced the final set to a raucous crescendo, fuelled by a mix of festive cheer and Harvey's Best.
Climate change since the 1800s means that snow in unlikely to threaten the peace of South St again, but, if The Contenders are playing you'd do well to bring a shovel - just in case.
Richard Cuming
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
