Live in 2023: Franck Carducci & The Fantastic Squad - Seaside Social & Labour Club, Sandfields, Port Talbot on Wednesday 16th August 2023

 

I'll start off by saying that this Review won't follow my usual template.

Why?

Because I forgot to write down the setlist. Yes, I do physically try and write down the setlist for each gig I review in a pad - I'm old school like that. But One song in to the main event and I got so carried up in the magic I forgot to write down the songs that were played.

So, I will include the setlist from the next gig in Southampton. The majority of the songs were identical I have been informed since.

Just to say Franck and I  have history for this gig!! The first time I've got to see Franck and the Squad.

I was due to see him twice over the last 3 years but on each time I've had Covid. Talk about bloody annoying.  But here we are, third time lucky and the night has finally arrived.

I've never seen a gig here in the Social Club despite having spent considerable time here in Sandfields where my wife comes from. My bad really. The stage is upstairs and is perfect for what we are about to receive, with it's built up front edge leading down to the dance floor which allows the artists to come down into the dance floor whilst still being somewhat elevated.

A decent crowd has arrived there tonight, maybe enticed by local hero Brian Karrot who is providing the support slot with his band. 

The Sun King

Don't Breathe It In

After a short break Franck and The Fantastic Squad take to the stage. Arriving on the stage to a tape containing snippets of Gabriel, Van Halen and Supertramp, it gives you a taste of the influences which have made a stamp on Franck's music.

For gig goers of a certain vintage, of which I am definitely one, I can remember the shows of Alice Cooper, Kiss, Alex Harvey, Queen etc. The days of a good old fashioned SHOW!! An Event!! A Larger Than Life Experience.  And Franck & The Squad brought back the Good Old Days tonight. By the bucketload.

Now, if you had to create a Rock band back in the 70s, what would be your template?

Charismatic Lead Singer &  Bass Player - Tick  

   Drummer who can actually sing too - Tick

Solid and Visually attractive Keyboard player - Tick

Visually Magnetic Multi Instrumentalist who could also sing lead Vocals - Tick

Lead Guitar Rock God - Tick

Achilles

Franck and the Fantastic Squad tick every box. But, I hear you cry, this isn't the 70s!!!

My answer to that would be - The Template Still Works.  Like the template for a Fender Stratocaster still works. You can add your tweaks and changes but the design still works. Even in a contemporary setting with contemporary sounds.

So we have Franck Carducci - Lead Vocals, Bass & Acoustic Guitar

Lea Fernandez - Drums & Vocals

Cedric Selzer - Keyboards & Vocals

Mary Reynaud - Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitar, Tambourine, Tuned Percussion & Theremin

Barth Sky - Lead Guitar & Vocals

Artificial Paradises

At the moment, Franck has three studio albums

Oddity (2011)  Torn Apart (2015)  The Answer (2019)

and two live albums

Tearing The Tour Apart 92015)  The Answer Live (2023)

and an acoustic album with Mary entitled Naked (2023)

I have seen some people call this show a Rock n Roll Circus - I find this slightly derogatory as it's a cohesive show, not a collection of different acts. Plus, I can't abide the Circus!!

The show is well paced. It kicks off with a rocker in Slave To Rock n Roll and from there ebbs and flows in darkness, light and dynamism for almost 2 hours.

Slave to Rock n Roll

There are, of course, built in set pieces which allow all of the members of the band to shine, especially Mary Reynaud who is just luminescent throughout the whole performance.

Franck even goes solo for one song, Sweet Cassandra, which is a good indication of one of my Albums of 2023 - Naked - his acoustic album with Mary Reynaud which is an absolute joy.

S & M

The live shows are drawn from the three albums. With songs ranging from short and sharp to lengthy epics there really is something for everyone on a Franck album if you're into your Classic Rock

As I said earlier, I got so carried away in the show I forgot to take down the setlist - so this is from their gig the following night in Southampton

Musically, the band were on superb form and the award for making the most of his time in the spotlight went to Barth Sky as he displayed his skills throughout every song and relished his time soloing - often down near the crowd and lapped up the applause like a great Rock God should.

A Brief Tale Of Time

The Angel

There are two fabulous show stopping songs in which Mary Reynaud shines like the star she is. Firstly we have the as yet unrecorded Angel, not only a showcase for Mary's vocal ability but also figuratively and literally a chance to spread her wings and let her voice soar to the heavens. A truly awesome moment.

If anybody was going to steal the show from Franck tonight it was Mary Reynaud.

Visually, she is so Magnetic. Beautiful Gallic looks help but with her costume changes, theatricality and superb voice and musicianship, you just couldn't take your eyes off her. And the show was structured to give her ample time for her costume changes and to weave her spell amongst the audience.

She also took advantage on several occasions to get down and closer to the audience.

The second Show Stopping Moment comes in the shape of the epic Alice's Eerie Dream which sees Mary take on the character of Alice. I'll say no more or I'll spoil the surprise in store. Suffice to say it's pretty unforgettable.

Alice's Eerie Dream

The show tonight just flew at the speed of light and soon we were down to the final song as Franck and the band quit the stage to come down into the audience and play an acapella version of  The Road To Nowhere.

I doubt if Port Talbot had seen anything like Franck and the Squad before but they are coming back in 2024. On St David's Day no less. And yes, Franck understands the importance of the date in Wales. His reply to me when I asked him about it was PARTY PARTY!! You Bet, Franck!!

Twitter - @FranckCarducci

click for the Official Franck Carducci Website