SOPHIE ROGERS - EP LAUNCH
Never let the rain get you down. That's why nothing was stopping us heading along to Sophie Rogers' EP launch at the Buff Club in Glasgow.
It's been quite a while since we've been in the Buff (jokes aside) and we were pleasantly surprised as to just how well this sometimes crazy club venue transforms into an amazing venue for live music.
We arrived pretty early, and we're glad we did as the place was already packed. Now, it's common for folks to say that their gig was mobbed when only a handful of fans turn up, but when we say mobbed we really mean it. And it didn't stop there. By the end of the night, you were lucky to find a place to stand, never mind sit down.
So why the fuss? Well, Sophie has just released her debut EP (An Overflow of Words) and - we're going to spoil the surprise here - it's pretty amazing.
It's no wonder that those close to Sophie were so excited about hearing these tracks live.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
The night kicked off with an introduction to the event by comedian Stephen Buchanan who set the mood perfectly. There's nothing worse than going to a gig where it's just band after band, musician after musician with no flow to the event. Stephen was able to perfectly transition the performers whilst keeping the audience entertained and it showed.
Lynass were the first group to get the music started, and with three vocal harmony parts these guys and gal managed to hook the audience from the onset. With a blend of upbeat covers and original material, it was the perfect start to the night.
Next up, Ben and Ryan (from We Were Hunted) displayed the same level of vocal talent we'd heard with Lynass - and there were only two of them! These guys managed to bring a slightly more edgier sound to the night, yet managed to keep with the overall vibe of good times that by now we were experiencing by the bucketload (especially as when we turned around to find that there was nearly no room left to move!)
With a short break after Ben and Ryan, it was time for Sophie.
Not that Stephen would allow Sophie's entrance to be anything but hyped to the max.
With a rousing set of cheers orchestrated by Stephen (the stage left side of the crowd won, by the way!) Sophie made her way to the stage with an even louder appreciation by the audience.
Taking her place in front of her home-from-home microphone, she gave us, the audiece, exactly what we were waiting for by doing what she does best (or so we thought) with her vocals and guitar.
We at Evo have been supporters of Sophie for some time now, but we've never heard her perform her original material with a full band. And this is where Sophie really brings it home. With backing from close family members - who she introduced individually throughout the night - we were taken through an amazing journey musically, but also emotionally. There's just something so endearing and heartwarming when you know that someone is performing from the heart and tonight was all about heart.
It's clear to see the appreciation that Sophie had from the audience tonight, and that's in no small part due to the way that Sophie takes her time to talk to each and every person that approaches her. She really has the gift when it comes to winning over people.
Sophie performed her tracks from the EP and also a cover of a Cranberries track before the night was unfortunately over too soon. Damn you, great music venue turning into a club night attitude.
From the little touches such as the candles around the stage, to the cakes given away with every CD purchased, this was a night to remember.
Sophie has taken the giant leap from solo performer to artist.
Keep an eye on this girl, as she is going places. Just listen to her debut EP for proof of that.
You can find more about Sophie from the following websites:
Soundcloud
Her website
Facebook
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