Snapshot Gig Review: Shack and The Sway – Mountford Hall Liverpool – 12 December 2025
Words/Photos: Steve Watson
The Sway a 5 piece Liverpool band with an indie pop sound and with three different people taking on lead vocals. Keyboardist, Rhythm guitarist and Lead guitarist a young John Power (Cast) look alike. ‘That Woman’ and ‘Sunshine Seeker’ were great tracks and there’s plenty more of their poppy tunes available on Spotify.
SHACK. John and Micheal Head playing a hometown gig at Mountford hall. Micheal Heads opening speech “It’s been a long time since I was here and that was for the La’s many years ago”. Drawing tracks from the 4 albums 1999’s H M S Fable, 1995’s Waterpistol, 2003’s Here’s Tom With The Weather and 2006’s On The Corner of Miles And Gil. Both Head Brothers sharing vocals .
The rest of the band were a who’s who of the Liverpool music scene including included horn section Martin Smith (Late on Parade) who came in near the end of the gig), Andy Frizzell on drums, Ian Skelly of The Coral on Bass, Pete Wilkinson of Cast and ex Echo and the Bunnymen and Nathaniel of the Red Elastic Band.
Starting with Sgt Major and ending with a cover Loves “A house is Not a Hotel” with my favourite “Comedy” and “Meant to be”, “Streets of Kenny” a cover of The ‘Byrds “Turn to Stone” and “Butterfly” sung by John Head. A great gig was spoilt by some audience members constantly talking through both bands.
Links:
SHACK:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Shack-The-Band-100063632735359
The Sway
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theswayband/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/The_Sway