CoCo and the Butterfields are often mentioned alongside folk bands and indeed they have played some folk festivals over the last few years but they describe themselves as an “English Indie Pop Band”. The truth is probably somewhere in between but like a lot of modern bands who have managed to maintain creative control they sit in between many genres of music, including rock and hip hop.
The band hail from Canterbury in Kent, an old English town more traditionally associated with historic architecture and landmarks than any musical heritage. They formed in 2011 as a more traditional folk trio but their current line-up includes lead vocalist Dulcima Showan, guitarist and fellow vocalist Tom Twyman, keyboard player Jamie Smith, lead guitarist and banjo player Rob Wicks and bassist Patrick Channon.
The venue for this gig was surprisingly the smaller room at The Met in Bury – The Box. Surprising because CoCo have played in much bigger venues recently but this autumn tour is being played specifically at very small venues – something of a treat for those of us lucky enough to have a ticket. Needless to say the room was packed and although it was a cool October evening outside, this room was anything but cool.
Before CoCo and the Butterfields took to the stage, we were treated to a very able support act in Phoebe Warden – an acoustic singer-songwriter. Warden confessed to us that although her songs are generally about sombre or sad subjects, she is in fact a bubbly and happy person – something that shone through as she interacted with the audience between tracks. One song stuck out for me during her set – a new track titled “After Midnight” which she said will shortly be released as a single.
CoCo and the Butterfields took to the stage and immediately got the all-seated crowd dancing in their chairs as they kicked things off with “Battlegrounds” and this set the tone for the opening part of the set. What comes across immediately is just how much fun the whole band has when they are on stage – there is a real chemistry between all of them and it is hard not to be swept along with this as an audience member.
The leader of the band is most definitely Tom Twyman, not only in terms of his vocals and guitar during the set but also his interaction with the audience. He has a big personality and is clearly very proud of what they have created but most definitely doesn’t take himself too seriously as he admits the next song “Five Bells” is so titled because it is his favourite pub!
As well as writing much of their own material, CoCo are known for cover songs that are available to view on YouTube – incidentally they also perform these at an end of season party in an Austrian ski resort each year – and we get to hear a number of these in a medley which includes “Just A Dream” by Nelly, “Love The Way You Lie” by Rihanna, and “Hello” by Adele. Cover songs with their own style added to them, included the very talented keyboard player Jamie Smith who is able to show off his amazing Beatbox skills – something that gives the band a whole different sound.
A brilliant hour and a half set from the band is completed with original material in “Monsters”, new song “Puppets” where we are invited to join in during the chorus which Dulcima teaches us beforehand and “Warriors” which feels like the traditional way to end a CoCo gig as everyone gets to their feet singing and dancing.
As we all left the small room at The Met in Bury, I couldn’t find a single person without a broad smile on their face – they had been thoroughly entertained from start to finish. CoCo and the Butterfields are planning to play some much larger venues in the North West next year and I will definitely be there when they do.
Reviewer - John Fish
on - 13/10/18
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