The Breakthrough Weekender is a great opportunity for bands to put themselves out there and get noticed. Unsigned bands looking for a deal, get to showcase their sound in a short set in front of an eager audience. So, on the 6th and 7th of May a host of bands gathered at Shepherds Bush Empire in London, brought together by Whitespider Productions. The artists, 25 in total, ranging from Indie bands, through diverse rock n roll to acoustic soloists performed in front of a 1,700 strong audience each night.

One of the artists that stood out on the night was solo performer John James Newman. With the recent explosion of acoustic artists onto the UK music scene he is a welcome addition. His energetic performance gripped the audience throughout his short, but sweet, set. The Berkshire guitarist went to Newcastle Music College before taking his band Mosey to London. But it was in the States where John finally found his true calling. The open mike scene in Alaska struck a cord with him and he began to play solo acoustic sets. “The intimate vibe of the coffee shops was like being on the corner of the planet,” he recalls.

Since returning from the States, John has been keeping himself busy with several projects in the pipeline. His debut album, recorded with Jean Rousseau of Cat Stevens and Thin Lizzy fame, is only two tracks away from completion. “He heard some of my tunes and said come out (to France) and we’ll finish them off,” he explains, of how the partnership came about. Eight months down the line and John already has a wealth of new material set for his next album.

John has also teamed up with old school friend Steve Jones to write a fusion of rock and soul. Steve’s love is of funk, soul and R N’ B whilst John grew up listening to the likes of Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. The pair began to write when John returned from the States, with his coffee shop influences very much in mind. “We’ve written some tunes together in the last two years and wanted to write a chill out album originally, Café del Mar style,” John recalls. “But it’s turned into a kind of laid back reggae, like Pink Floyd with a lot of vocal and piano.”

John believes that it’s important to keep busy with several projects and has an acoustic EP out soon. Overflowing with ideas John James Newman is not going away and sooner or later the music industry will have to stand up and take notice.

Another band guaranteed to get your feet moving and arms magnetically pulled skywards were Charakka with their disco rock n roll. The Essex-based band filled the Shepherds Bush Empire with a pulverising clash of guitars and electronica. Fronted by Sam Fuller and Toby Watson, the 5-piece fuse together influences from Led Zeppelin and dance Gods The Chemical Brothers. Like The Music with balls Charakka storm through their set leaving the crowd wanting more. Since they began playing together two and a half years ago the band have caused quite a stir in the music industry with the hope of a deal just around the corner.

The Breakthrough Weekender raised significant cash in support of the 20th anniversary of Live Aid. All proceeds went to help the Darfur crises in Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than a million displaced.

Review by Emma Seymour

Related Links:

John James Newman Official Site
Charakka Official Site