Chris Layhe ‘It’s My Way’ EP Launch
30th November 2023
The British Music Experience, Star Cafe Bar, Liverpool

Tucked away just inside the British Music Experience, to the right as you go in, is a small cosy intimate venue called The Star Cafe, and it is here that fans gathered in anticipation for the evening ahead.

Chris Layhe is known as being the bassist with Liverpool 80s band The Icicle Works, apart from being a top notch musician he is also a conjuror of melodic and bluesy songs of his own hence the new EP ‘It’s My Way‘.

The evening began with a short solo set from Chris himself geaturing a mix of pop blues and country solo songs, highlights for me being ‘Blue Monday‘ (not the New Order one) and ‘Man In A Hurry‘. Finishing the set off with an Icicle Works favourite, ‘Evangeline‘.

After a short interval Chris emerged with his band heaturing Will Hawthorn on Guitar and backing vocals and Stuart Bootle on Keys.

The trio powered through with a tight mix of Icicle Works classics including ‘Love Is Wonderful Colour‘ and ‘Hollow Horse‘ all 3 songs from the EP and not forgetting a wonderful cover of Neil Young’s ‘The Needle And The Damage Done‘.

Chris Layhe is a natural performer and excellent musician and a great songwriter, a splendid time was had by all.

And to end on exciting news for Icicle Works fans, Chris and Ian McNabb are reforming next year with 80s band Big Country!

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