Live Review: Sky Valley Mistress – Stoke

This was my first trip to the Artisan Tap in Stoke, and after their much-publicised travel chaos in the days leading up to it, the relief to being back on stage was clear for all to see on the faces of Blackburn’s finest rock export, Sky Valley Mistress.

Having had a brief listen to support band Bau Cat in the afternoon, I wasn’t really looking forward to seeing them, but wow, did they surprise me!! Their atmospheric blend of country, indie and psych, allowed the trio to fully demonstrate their excellent musicianship. With singer/bassist Abby, drummer Jack and guitarist Jim, the North Wales based trio had their own entourage in tow, as they played songs including “Traposhere”, “Conversations with America” and the brilliant “Ordinary People”.

I enjoyed Jims expansive guitar sounds, with lots of whammy bar, and the deep bass lines from Abby, and at times I felt as if I was watching The Monkees or some other 60’s band, Of course, I loved the cowbell from Jack, and after dedicating “Frankie” to a friend from college who was sent down for 4 years, they have a slower love song called “May Your Moon”. Abby asks her nan to give everyone a wave, which she does, as she explains the story behind “Silver Bangle”, which has plenty of groove combined with an excellent rhythm, and they finish off their lively set with “Give it up for the Band”. Their mix of styles, tempo and genres mean that they are well worth catching live.

After problems with the hearse, meaning a few cancelled gigs in London and Derby, it was great to see Sky Valley Mistress up and running on stage. With their unique style of standing opposite each other with Kayley playing the drums and Max playing guitar and kick drum, the assembled crowd were getting ready to be entertained, and we certainly got that in bucketloads.

Having reviewed their latest excellent album “Luna Mausoleum” I was keen to hear the songs live, of which they played 5, combined with older songs and some unreleased ones. Speaking to Max beforehand, they weren’t quite ready to play “Blue Desert II” but they kicked off with “Venom Veins” as his Flying V glistened in the lights. It’s a raucous start to the set with Kayley greeting us with “Good Evening Artisan Tap, we are Sky Valley Mistress and we play rock n’ roll” and boy, do they play it well.

From the first album, they play “Punk Song”, which has a big drum sound, and I enjoy their use of dual vocals, but I can’t help wondering how much Max must concentrate on playing his guitar as well as maintaining the kick drum beat. It’s very impressive and adds to the enjoyment of the gig, as with wonderful songs like “No Sleep”, they have lots of tempo changes for him to keep up with. “Sadly, the hearse didn’t make it, but we did” as Kayley explains more about the mechanical shenanigans, and 5 flatbed trucks they endured before she shouts “Fuck the RAC” in a comedic way.

Leading the vocals in “Nude Bowl” they have lots of melody across the slower song, accompanied by a great guitar solo, before they erupt, making one hell of a racket during “Self Destruction Fuel”. Their charming stage chemistry comes across wonderfully as they are constantly smiling at each other and on the word so during “She is So” there’s an explosive vocal from the duo as the tempos drift and meander in so many directions as all hell breaks loose.

“We are slowly unravelling after spending 30 hours in a freezing hearse and the conversation started to dry up” quips Max before they launch into the tremendous noise that is “Too Many

Ghosts”. The energy is high, the sound is vast and it feels is if they are releasing a lot of pent-up frustration. They slow it down for “The Exit List” before the heavy comes through, and we get Max on keyboard as Kayley speaks through a megaphone.

The kick drum takes a pounding during the rockier “Live Past Life” as they up the tempo significantly, and then dedicate their last song, “Thundertaker” to the hearse. With a doom introduction, the riffs flow effortlessly and it’s a terrific way to end what has been a tremendous set, full of pace, power and good natured anger aimed at the RAC.