Quecia

Classic Rock Society Rotherham Rocks
Oakwood Centre - 18 October 2002

Hayley McCarrick Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Kirsty McCarrick Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Concert Review

Selected again as the venue for the Classic Rock Society's Rotherham Rocks autumn festival, Oakwood Centre was fitted up for a weekend of fine music from established and emerging bands. Friday night's bill included the Deborah Bonham Band as headline with Holland's Ricocher and Quecia as the opening acts. With entirely three different sounds, it was a superb evening for those that attended. Both Martin Hudson and Heather Findlay emotionally announced to their audiences the significant disappointment that CRS long-time favourite Mostly Autumn was inadvertently booked to play only six miles away at The Boardwalk in Sheffield (review).

The alternative prog rock band Quecia opened Rotherham Rocks after a very brief, yet highly successful soundcheck. Lights and sound systems were typical of CRS gigs--dramatic lights highlighted the artists' individual and group performance while sound was powerful and extremely well-engineered.

Kirsty McCarrick Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Chris Picton Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Quecia played for CRS earlier this autumn with Gallahad to much acclaim--keen fans were obviously back to hear and see them perform on stage again. The band is much more dynamic on stage and rockier than listeners will hear on their debut album "This Is Where We Are." With Kirsty McCarrick (lead vocals, percussion) and Paul Ayre (vocals, guitar) fronting the band, the lineup also includes Hayley McCarrick (backing vocals), Chris Picton (bass, keyboards) and Roy Taylor (drums). Interested readers and concert goers will know that Hayley is Kirsty's younger sister; her powerful and melodic voice adds tremendous texture to the band's live sound.

While the compact disk presents a cohesive and lush sound, it is Quecia's live performance that shows the individuals' virtuousity and a rockier edge. Kirsty couples a dramatic, dynamic, evocative and very powerful voice with an enticing stage presence that draws the audience into the material. The band have capitalised on Kirsty's assets--strong voice, stage presence and stunning appearance--and joined superb live arrangements to build a polished stage show. Sister Hayley's backing harmonies are well written and superbly performed.

Paul Ayre Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Roy Taylor Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Paul Ayre's remarkable guitar work delighted everyone both when supporting the vocal lines and in his individual solo excursions. Vocally gifted as well, he not only provided superb backing harmonies but he also sang lead vocals--including a spine-tingling version of "Roxanne"--in the set as well. Quecia's rhythm section is tight and polished. Chris' bass and [name]' crisp percussion added a powerful dynamic to the live sound.

Opening with the dynamic "Fight for This," the band continued with songs from the current album: "See Me Fall," "Stay" and "Bitter East Wind." Instrumentally more powerful than the album and well staged Paul's and Hayley's backing harmonies contributed to a great opening set. Paul led "Roxanne" illustrating his own vocal prowess and command of electric guitar next.

When Kirsty and Hayley returned to the stage, the band continued with "Alive" and a dramatically arranged rocker called "New Dress." With only 45 minutes to play, the band had time for two more songs. An electric version of "Wrong Kind Of Love" was extremely well received by the audience. It blended effortlessly into the full-on spledour of "Sleepwalking" which concluded their set. Despite a signficant outpour of enthusiasm from the audience, the band did not have time for an encore.

Hayley McCarrick Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Kirsty McCarrick Image © Chris Walkden 2002

Stephen Lambe added, "Kirsty McCarrick is developing a confident stage presence, and she can certainly produce the goods live, delivering her vocals with both passion and power. Her younger sister, Hayley, gives able vocal support, concentrating on efficient harmony vocals in the style of Mia Silverman of the Judie Tzuke band, rather than the more extravegant contributions of Anne-Marie Helder to Karnataka." He continues, "as a guitarist, Paul Ayre seems to have developed in confidence since the recording of 'This Is Where We Are,' delivering something of a lead guitar masterclass, while the rhythm section of Chris Picton and Roy Taylor seem to be gelling nicely."

When we spoke with Kirsty following their performance and asked how Quecia felt about their show, she told us, "We had to shorten the set quite a bit--we have enough material for an hour and a half; we have so much to draw on. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it." Indeed the CRS audience did enjoy it. Clearly worth a trans-Atlantic journey, Quecia must be seen on stage to have a full appreciation of the band. We can't wait to see the full hour and a half-long show.