Support band to The Virginmarys, Muddibrooke, told the audience that it had taken them over five and a half hours to get to Crumlin from Derby – a journey that should take about half as long.
Muddibrooke
The Patriot, Crumlin – 1 September 2023
Words and Photography: Paul Hutchings
Having made such a sterling effort, to be rewarded with a small gathering of around 30 punters is almost insulting. And that’s no detriment to all who did make the journey, for they are true music fans, and thankfully, the Muddibrooke and The Virginmarys were two bands of such quality that those who didn’t make it missed out on a fantastic evening.
According to my internet research, Derby trio Muddibrooke are a newer proposition than The Virginmarys. Formed in 2020, the band’s clear message tonight and through their music is to be yourself. They play a ferocious alternative rock style, driven by the riffs of singer Brooke [Harriet McDonnell] and the pumping bass lines of Anna Melidone.
Tonight, they have Aron Newell stepping in on drums for the absent Morgan Pettigrew. If Brooke hadn’t told you that, it’s probable you would have been none the wiser.
It’s a testament to the commitment of bands such as Muddibrooke and the thousands of others who navigate the tortuous UK motorway network that they have travelled for over five hours to play a nine-song, 35-minute set. This is what makes live music.
Muddibrooke may be unknown to most, but they’ll be on all radars after a stellar set that saw them shrug off playing the wrong song mid-set, deftly readjusting, and continuing with a laugh and a smile.
They open with Liverpool Guy and rip through their set, finishing with YDOM to huge applause from those gathered at the front of the stage.
Honest, passionate, and totally captivating, hopefully, we will see more of Muddibrooke in these parts in the future.
They are definitely worth catching.
You can read The Virginmarys review here.
