“You’ve got what it takes, to pull on through” sings fast-rising, singer-songwriter Jamie Webster on timely new single, GRINDING THE GEARS, released on Modern Sky and OUT NOW. Chilled by the national lockdown with his profound love of performing live temporarily set on ice, the people-powered, Liverpool-born and bred artist starts the countdown to his long-awaited, debut album by announcing that he will play Glasgow’s legendary King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut on Sat 12 September 2020.
Recorded at Parr Street Studios and produced by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, Courteeners, She Drew The Gun), Grinding The Gears is a notable statement of intent by Webster, determinedly striking out to claim his ground as a songwriter in the vein of his own heroes. Unashamedly referencing The La’s, Shack and Noel Gallagher amongst a long line of musical heroes, at the heart of Webster’s songwriting lies faith that a better life is out there somewhere, beyond lunch-hour daydreams and payday blow outs.
Taking about his return to the city, Jamie says: “Nobody has to spell out the links between Glasgow and my home city of Liverpool, with Kenny Dalglish coming from Celtic, Virgil van Dijk also playing for the Hoops and Steve Gerrard now being at Rangers, we’re stuck together through football. That’s before we mention the industry, ship building and histories on two famous rivers. I can’t wait to come and play with my band for my biggest show there, it’s a place that has a reputation for going off and giving big welcomes to bands, so I am expecting an unforgettable night.”
Listed by the Liverpool Echo journalists as the 11th most influential person shaping the city’s modern culture in their 2020 Power List, Webster’s sights are now trained on the rest of the UK and beyond.
Completed by a full band, Webster now counts as comrades Lightning Seeds members Jim Sharrock (drums) and Tim Cunningham (bass) alongside Danny Murphy (guitars), who also backs Mick Head as a member of his Red Elastic Band.
Webster’s spirited live shows develop an electric, festival-like atmosphere with an energetic camaraderie between performer and audience crackling at close quarters. With more dates to be announced, all upcoming shows including his album tour and summer festival dates are as follows:
- Fri 4 Sep Newcastle, Think Tank?
- Sat 5 Sep Bingley, Bingley Weekender 2020
- Thu 10 Sep Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
- Fri 11 Sep Manchester, The Deaf Institute
- Sat 12 Sep Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
- Fri 18 Sep Belfast, Limelight 2
- Wed 23 Sep Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
- Thu 24 Sep London, The Camden Assembly
- Sat 26 Sep Liverpool, O2 Academy Liverpool – SOLD OUT
- Sun 27 Sep Liverpool, Sound City
Remaining tickets for Glasgow and all forthcoming shows are available at See Tickets.
Grinding The Gears is Jamie’s third single with Modern Sky and follows iTunes Chart-topping tracks, Weekend In Paradise and Living For Yesterday. Each have supercharged the 26-year old ex-electrician’s popularity, with lyrics rooted in Webster’s own working-class upbringing and personal experiences.
Webster originally grew in renown for providing new soundtracks to Liverpool Football Club’s rising fortunes, playing to 60,000 fans attending the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid and performing around the world, as far afield as Australia and Dubai.
