Outro

A Perfect Intake Time

Inner Battles

A Mans Failure

Trident

SCENE AND HERD GIG REVIEW: BLACKWATER LIGHTSHIP EP LAUNCH SUPPORTED BY FREEZER & OSPREY @ SIDNEY & MATILDA
Written by Charlotte Sometimes
Gig photography by Russell Jones-Davies

One final reset of the stage and it was time for the main act: the celebration of Blackwater Lightship’s new EP Last Night I Saw the Leaves Fall. Seeing the music we had previously reviewed was a completely different experience live.

The first half of the set served as an introduction to the band’s breadth and versatility before they moved into the EP tracks. Early songs carried a post-punk pulse with echoes of Joy Division and The Smiths - angular yet melodic, with a rich undercurrent of emotion. The sound was incredibly tight, and the chemistry between the two members was instantly engaging. Lockley, ever the warm and playful frontman, had the audience cheering for “Hyper Tom” on drums, and both musicians were visibly energised by the response: grinning throughout, feeding off the room’s enthusiasm.

They then shifted gears, with Lockley continuing the tradition passed down from the Byrds to Big Star to Teenage Fanclub and swapping to a Rickenbacker for the jangling, shimmer of Trapped in Dreams: a tonal change that showed another facet of their songwriting. 
Before the official EP launch portion began, Lockley explained that the release isn’t yet on the big streaming platforms because, in his words, “the billionaires can wait”. And indeed, this performance was something entirely separate from the studio versions. With no extra band members or production layering, the live renditions took on a more organic form; raw and immediate, yet no less compelling.

The EP tracks unfolded in a way that highlighted the deep creative rapport between the two musicians, each one enhancing the other’s sound. The opening track City Lights rang out with a big, cinematic sweep; the second track Evening Star was adapted for a live audience with whistles, giving it an earthy, folk-inflected charm. The third track Over & Out had a personal backstory - written by Lockley a decade ago during a songwriting course, inspired by people who help lift you from dark places. The Standing Man, penned by Roberts when he was just 17, kept its titular figure shrouded in mystery, adding an intriguing edge.

One of the most poignant moments of the night came with the final EP track (also a single) The Places Where We Godedicated to Lockley and his wife’s beloved dog, Ted, who sadly passed away very recently. This was a really moving moment and the crowd clearly felt the resonance of this. 
The song itself, Lockley introduced as about creativity and dreaming - “We don’t sleep, our bodies do” - and the performance built in crescendo with the primal cries of Lockley and the fierce rhythm of Roberts the expression of joy at the culmination of all the hard work that has gone into producing this EP and show.

The closing song The Last Sea swelled into an anthemic crescendo, the crowd erupting into riotous applause at the finale. There was a lot of love for these two in the room this evening and it was completely deserved.

Overall, the night was a glorious blend of craft and connection - a sold-out and joyful celebration of creativity. And as ever, the musicians highlighted the power of live music and the importance of supporting venues like Sidney and Matilda.

Blackwater Lightship have not only delivered a superb EP but have proved, beyond doubt, that their live presence is every bit as vital. An absolute triumph.


EP LAUNCH SHOW - Bootleg Recording - Sidney & Matilda - 08-08-25

Blackwater Lightship are Tom Roberts and Leon Lockley and Dan Oram. Ranging from delicate folk rock acoustic arrangements to a full on grungy, post punk alternative assault on the senses, Blackwater Lightship have been crafting their sound for the last two years. 
Tom and Leon met by chance in Manchester via a mutual friend. Realising they were both musicians who shared a love for many of the same bands, they decided to meet for a jam in the studio.
Tom has been playing drums since he was eight years old and Leon has been playing guitar, bass and various instruments since his teens and took up singing later in life! Both have been in various other bands but felt a real connection with what they were doing together in this project.
Soon, they were collaborating and writing songs together and 2024 saw them bring their unique sound to the independent venues of Sheffield where it has been very well received resulting in several headline shows.
Blackwater Lightship have seen some exciting developments in the last year including recording their debut EP, a live session with Folkscape as well as continuing to gig around their hometown of Sheffield. And a new member, Dan Oram!

Here's to the spirit of sonic adventure!

Metalcore band from Laguna, Philippines and was formed January 2014.

New tracks tagged #Ep Launch