St George’s Venue, Hartlepool
Friday, 24th October, 2025
I think that I should start this review not with talk about the music, or bands, but with a brief discussion about the venue. But please indulge me as I think that, as part of the concert experience, it is worth mentioning.
Most venues seem to fall into three main categories, crowded pub rooms or antechambers that are ‘snug’ but friendly. Then there are the venues that, in earlier days, used to be warehouses, dance halls, factories or even plane hangars. All of which tend to be spartan and as welcoming as a morgue. Invariably cold places that, if it wasn’t for the band of choice being there, you’d avoid like the plague, which is also a disease that is probably catchable in far from fragrant toilets. Then, finally, there are the purpose-built behemoth buildings that look like they were designed by people who had some sort of nightmare worthy of Mary Shelley and wanted to depict it in glass and steal. These places offer a modicum of comfort but at a price. They attract the top acts that expect the top ticket prices, they add their own margin to merchandise sales and expect people to take out a mortgage if they want to eat a depressing-looking burger or drink a pint of beer that tastes like it has been passed by the management.
However, sometimes, I come across venues that do not easily fit into any of those categories and St George’s venue is just one such place. Along with being an active church it hosts concerts that are performed on the main dais. A lovely concept and a wonderful way to provide something different to the town of Hartlepool along with earning a little extra funds to help the community and, believe me, it is needed here.
Being a church, acoustics are factored into the architecture, if you get a cushion, the seats are relatively comfortable, and they do not take the ‘proverbial’ with prices at the bar. It may not be the warmest of places but, considering the time of year, what should people expect? After all I have been to far colder venues.
CANDACRAIG
As for the concert itself, first up was Candacraig, who had travelled all the way from Lincolnshire to deliver a wonderful set full of their usual power, fun and musical talent. Multi-instrumentalist and lead singer, Sharon Cannings, was like a mini tornado of energy. But she didn’t steal all the limelight and guitarist, Martin Nicholls, managed to hold his own, entertain and take centre stage whenever the moments were right. The set was full of superb, and at times moving songs but to me the highlights were Last Transmission, the always evocative Autumn in New York and, appropriately, for the venue, St George’s Day.
One thing I did notice was that Martin performed in bare feet. A curious fashion statement, especially considering the room temperature. So, after the concert I asked him about it and it wasn’t some affection or part of the stage act, it was simply because his shoes were too big and made it difficult to use the guitar peddles. It makes sense but it made me smile at the mental image of clown feet. Sorry Martin.
Having seen them perform once before I have to admit that this performance was by far the better of the two. It is hard to say why, maybe it was the venue, the stiped down due as opposed to a full band making it feel more intimate or perhaps, I caught the first show on a bad day? Either way they were impressive, and I want to see them again. Great people and great music.
Shadow Girl
Ash Tree
Last Transmission
O Whistle
St George’s Day
Fearless
One More Time
Autumn in New York
End of the World
Sharon Cannings – Vocals, Percussion, Keyboards Mandolin & other strange Instruments
Martin Nicholls – Guitars, Vocals
TONY PATTERSON & DOUG MELBOURNE
Introducing the performers on the evening was Steve Petch (The Progmeister), stepping up to the lectern he welcomed the second act of the concert double header, Tony Patterson and Doug Melbourne. Despite having seen them in their former incarnation, Re-Genesis, a Genesis tribute act, and having Tony as a Facebook friend, it wasn’t until I had bought the ticket that I realized the connection. A fact that made me look forward to the concert even more than when I just thought it was Candacraig and ‘another band’.
Having recorded several albums as a duo, along with a vast canon of Genesis songs to add to their repertoire, it made it a set of the familiar and unfamiliar to me, which is always a good thing, as far as I am concerned. Finding myself seated next to friend, who was a massive fan of Tony’s work, he was happy to whisper to me, between songs, details of the relevant albums and even the years they were released, so I was given a running commentary worthy of a DVD’s extras.
As I watched, and Tony sang the obligatory Genesis and Peter Gabriel songs, it was easy to see, and hear, why Re-Genesis were so popular. Close my eyes and it could have been Peter on the stage. I couldn’t help wondering what an opportunity Genesis missed when they failed to offer him the lead singer job, instead of Ray Wilson. But, alas, we will never know how that would have turned out. But I doubt even he could have saved Small Talk from the category of songs that could easily have not been recorded.
The songs I liked best were Making it Great Again. A subtle lyric aimed at a certain political figure which was full of sarcastic fun. Brighter Than The Sun and the Genesis/Gabriel songs Carpet Crawlers and the encore, Here Comes the Flood. After all, who can ever dislike those two choices?
Despite the lack of Genesis lights or costumes the performance was enhanced by the giant organ that was behind the band and, apparently Tony had tinkled its keyboard before the show but, sadly didn’t make it part of the act.
And, if that was not enough, they had Stuart Collie on guitar. A seemingly shy persona until it was time for him to do more than be an instrument to make the other two sound good, with his solos and bridges showing how talented he is.
Another set from a band that I will want to see again and having bought one of their albums on the night I will be getting the others as it seems that I am missing out, and have some catching up to do. My friend’s words, not mine, but I tend to agree with him.
SETLIST
Antarctica
Brighter Than The Sun
Happy Place
Making It Great Again
Stopping Time
Carpet Crawlers
Mother Of Violence
Man On TV
~ Encore:
Here Comes The Flood
MUSICIANS
Tony Patterson – Vocals
Doug Melbourne – Keyboards, Vocals
Stuart Collie – Guitars
LINKS
Tony Patterson & Doug Melbourne – Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
The Progmeister (Steve Petch) – Website | Facebook | X | The Progmeister at Progzilla Radio
St George’s Venue – Website | Facebook
