It was a welcome and overdue return to The Tuppenny stage for B-Sydes, who was last seen bringing his modern folk that’s as powerful as it is personal to these parts at My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival.
Contemporary and authentic folk delivered with power, personality and purpose. B-SYDES (aka rising singer-songwriter Ben Sydes) has been capturing the hearts and minds of audiences since his first EPs and critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Constant Fictions’.
Having shared the stage with the likes of Frank Turner, Gaz Brookfield, Ferocious Dog, Sam Duckworth, Dave McPherson and countless more, he’s honed his craft, found his true voice, and has set himself up to chase the many ambitions within his music.
Sydes’ introduction to music came in his early teens, inspired by the music his older brother would play from his bedroom. Before long, Sydes found a new “freedom” and a way out of “the rut” by teaching himself guitar. He found himself playing in alternative bands around the Cambridge scene.
Soon, he grew tired and frustrated. In going solo, he found freedom all over again – and the rest of the world started to listen. Punktastic hailed his ‘undeniable passion’, while Big Cheese touted his ‘raw emotion and conviction’ – all of which was at the heart and soul of ‘Constant Fictions’.
It’s on stage where Sydes really comes into his own, where his punk-tinged troubadour energy is allowed to breathe.
“Everyday life inspires me to write,” says Sydes. “It’s mostly personal experience. I’m forever scribbling in notebooks or writing notes in my phone of lines and phrases. The only time I’ve written about a fictional tale was the only time I’ve ever had an audience member hit me with a tirade of abuse, so I think I’ll stick with the personal stories. I’ve never thought I have the knowledge of politics to take on whatever is this weeks big issue. For me I’d much rather have a room of happy, people having a sing than challenging people.”
The next challenge comes as Sydes finishes work on his second album. With a host of friends and collaborators on board and even more ideas, his next release will take him to ever more adventurous places.
It is also a long-overdue return for Brightr who last played for us during lockdown as part of an online virtual show. We can’t wait for more pretty melodic acoustic jams played by a semi-gloomy, but erratically chatty dude.
Since beginning in late 2014 Brightr has released multiple records and has played all over the world; everywhere from an abandoned train station in North Germany, to slots at 2000 Trees Festival and The Fest in Florida. Spreading his own brand of gloomy-emo-pop music, infused with a live show that can best be described as “group therapy”. Enjoy!
