Three and a quarter years after I first discussed Sunbirds with co-frontman Dave Hemingway (linked here), on the build-up to the release of debut long player, Cool to be Kind, I finally got to catch them live. And it was worth the wait.

Not as if there were too many chances to see them in that first couple of years. Initially more a studio project, that suited the band fine in the wake of the pandemic. Besides, former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer Dave Hemingway was in no great hurry back then to return to the road.

Having called time on post-PD Heaton and Jacqui Abbott outfit The South in 2015 after six years back with ex-bandmate Alison Wheeler and co., Dave, aka Hammy, felt somewhat frustrated that his passion for recording new music was not seen as the priority across the board, despite praise for 2012 LP Sweet Refrains.

So, with guitarist Phil Barton – who had a hand in writing seven songs on Sweet Refrains and remains on board with The South to this day – a new band was formed, the pair joined by violinist/vocalist Laura Wilcockson and drummer Marc Parnell, leading to that cracking 2020 Sunbirds first LP.

However, it was clear by the time of my chat with Phil last August (linked here) that they were keen to play live, and this time last year they were about to head out on their first short tour as an expanded six-piece band, with guitarist/keyboard player Chris Offen and bass player Jerry Jobson.

Audience reactions certainly vindicated what they felt they had. And here we are in late 2023, now with Phil Chapman in Jerry’s role, and a fair few more dates in the bag, this latest Lancashire outing to be followed by seven more live shows before the year is out, the diary already fairly full from early February 2024.

What’s more, there’s a new record in the pipeline, A Life Worth Living marking what they see as ‘another step in the continuing evolution of the band’s sound’. The jury remains out on when it will see its release (the main issue is ‘the old green manalishi’ according to Phil), but the belief in those new songs certainly came through at the Conti, with just seven of the cuts from the first record aired in a 20-song set.

They started with the rolling blues of the debut LP’s ‘Big Moneymaker’, that blend of Hammy and Laura’s vocals, searing guitars and shuffling bass and drums setting Sunbirds’ stall out nicely. But the next four numbers at The Continental were new to me. A brave move. In the circumstances you might have expected a little bum-shuffling from this seated, sold-our audience (the first time I’ve attended a seated show at the Conti, other than a July 2021 tables and chairs set-up for Martin Stephenson on my first post-pandemic live outing). However, that perceived increase in confidence is with good reason, I’d venture.

I get the impression the songwriting doesn’t fall so heavily on Phil now. He had a hand in all but one of the songs on that first LP – to great effect – but it seems there’s a far more across the board band approach now, Chris and Laura (erm) instrumental in their contributions with a pen and a stave.

Dave’s vocals were a little muffled where I was stood at the back, but it worked all the same, and I get the impression he’s happier with the focus elsewhere, Laura leading from the middle, so to speak… relishing the opportunity of co-fronting such a tight, professional band.

On the guitar front, Phil and Chris switched between lead and rhythm duties, bringing out the best in each other, pushing that little bit further, as heard on the Teenage Fanclub meets Long Ryders-like ‘And We Can’, given a further twist by Laura’s violin.

‘Every Road’ had a proper late ‘80s feel. Think The Bible. It could have been a Boo Hewerdine number for these ears. In fact, at times I feel this is a band that collectively fits into a past scene I once lived and breathed, where indie pop found fresh influences by delving backwards, not least rediscovering ‘60s country rock. And in this case, the more understated studio take was neatly transferred to a live set-up.

Further new song ‘Bring It Back’ was then followed by ‘Hey’, Laura out front on a number showing a perhaps even more radio friendly approach. It certainly showcases her fine voice alongside her accomplished musician tag – a big vocal but somehow subtly used on a big old, lighter-waving ballad that should work well on the festival circuit come next summer. Expect a bigger name to have a huge hit with this. I’ll always prefer the original though. It also gave Phil and Chris a chance to noodle somewhat on those guitars, another key factor all night.

‘The Black Sea’ was one of the first LP’s less commercial highlights for me, and they certainly give a good fist of replicating its power live, Hammy lost in the emotion of the moment. That was followed by ‘Maybe It’s Me’, the next new number, then the first album’s ‘Holiday Monday’. Sort of Mamas and Papas done Tom Petty style (not least that guitar break partway through). I see an accompanying ‘60s style surf promo video, the band driving al convertible along a beach road. Mind you, that East Yorkshire coast might be a bit nippy at this time of year.

Aptly, ‘Ride’, another addition to the set, was next, before a return to Cool to be Kind for Phil’s beautifully crafted ‘When I’m Gone’, a love letter to his daughter, delivered with plenty of heart from Hammy. I mentioned The Bible earlier, and there’s something of ‘Honey Be Good’ here, with Laura’s backing vocal a nice touch.

Two more new songs followed, ‘Right Place’ and the Chris-led ‘Who Knew?’ followed by a moment of nostalgia, The Beautiful South’s No.1 single, ‘A Little Time’. That takes me back, that song all over the radio ahead of my impending departure for my 1990/91 world travels, a sense of potential guilt at going away reflected in that Heaton/Rotheray hit, Laura in Briana Corrigan’s role here.

Gearing up for a big finish, two more first LP cuts followed, the Beautiful South-like ‘Hatred Lies in the Ruins of Love’ followed by the ever-sparkling, celebratory ‘Gene Kelly’, their biggest pop moment yet. If ever a single deserved to be a hit…

Talking of 45s, recent Heritage Chart hit ‘Make Up Your Mind’ was introduced with a slight twist by Phil on guitar, us wondering if we were about to get Bryan Adams’ ‘Summer of ‘69’. In fact, maybe this is their most commercial moment so far, Laura in full Belinda Carlisle mode. US college radio of old would have loved this. Hopefully it still will.

Then came ‘Done and Dusted’, a true bluesy number ending with a rousing instrumental breakdown, Chris and Phil in their element with a twin-guitar assault, Thin Lizzy style. Get off your knees, indeed. Meanwhile, Laura and Hammy danced like recently introduced friends of friends in a nightclub, a six-string bromance unfolding alongside, the two of them seemingly unsure quite where to look.

It was Marc that put the song to bed, having not put a drumstick wrong all night in a solid performance alongside new bass-playing rhythm pal, Phil C, who also seemed to be having a ball, and before we knew it the band launched into Nick Lowe classic ‘(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding’, which never fails to hit the spot (49 years after it was written), not least when half of the world is up in flames, in this case an apt as can be reminder of the unfolding horrors in Gaza.

On returning, Sunbirds were briefly a five-piece, Marc taking the air while Hammy returned to his old seat at the back, reprising his role as singing drummer on ‘Build’, 36 years after it became The Housemartins’ final top-20 hit, Dave’s voice seemingly the clearest it had been all night. Another unexpected highlight.

And then back came Marc, with Dave leading out front on the finale, his hymn to Hull, the band’s first single, ‘Meet You on the Northside’ providing a grand send-off on a top night out. And here’s to plenty more of those in the company of Sunbirds.

For the latest from Sunbirds, head to their Nectar Records website, or check them out via Bandcamp. You can also keep in touch with the band via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

All the above photographs appear here courtesy of Michael Porter Photography, with a link to Michael’s website here. You can also keep in touch via Facebook and Instagram.