• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login/ Register
  • Editorial Team
  • Get Involved

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Home
  • News
      • Local
      • COVID-19
      • University News
  • Comment
  • Features
      • National
      • Worldwide
      • Politics
      • Interviews
  • Science
      • News
      • Lite Science
      • Common Misconceptions
      • Environment
      • Health
      • Technology
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
      • Fashion and Beauty
      • Features
      • Food
      • Wellbeing
      • Sustainability
  • Music
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Single Reviews
  • Screen
      • Reviews
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Festivals and Awards
  • Arts + Lit
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Reviews
      • Creative Writing
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
  • Music
  • Screen
  • Arts + Lit
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
Home / Music

Live Review: Beans on Toast @ Exeter Phoenix

Beans On Toast. A simple, unassuming English moniker, wholly suitable for Jay McAllister the cult folk performer from Essex. Beans is a one of a kind, if you don’t believe me then maybe the fact that he rocked up to the phoenix stage barefoot, encapsulates his unpretentious personality. The night celebrated Independent Music Week- as Beans took the opportunity to mention- while also voicing some sincere criticisms of characterless O2 areas. Beans featured alongside a variety of local talent, first up was Rory Matthews who graced the stage with an impressive range of riffs. A quintessential teenage singer songwriter, Rory sensitively juxtaposed his more ‘poppy’ records against the mournful picking of some of the sadder songs.

Next up was Rapha Ghetti, a real gem on the Exeter scene, the shaggy-haired Ghetti raised raw lyrics over an inviting backdrop over piano, drum and bass backing, with a hint of jazz. Ghetti was at his best when most aggressive and this passion was best harnessed with vocal effects as his anguished lyricism was perfectly complemented by a haunting echo. The tightness of Ghetti’s band also cannot be understated and they provided the foundation for what was a breathtakingly good performance.

A Beans on Toast gig isn’t for those who seek complete musical precision, however Beans’ mistakes become rapidly endearing alongside his witty comments that accompany them

Next up was Beans. Strolling on, beer in hand with a slightly tired looking guitar strap around his neck, Beans cut to the chase and roused a hardy reception from a warm Exeter crowd. One particularly unique thing about a Beans on Toast concert is the level of familiarity between the audience and artist, this was exemplified throughout by Beans’ willingness to let the audience members choose half of his set — though one impish audience member tried to push this and was quickly shut down — this entertaining set was broken up by a variety of entertaining anecdotes. Beans’ long history with touring and the music industry made for a hugely amusing evening, one particular tongue-in-cheek moment came before he launched into a number concerning the aforementioned O2 academy arenas. Beans acknowledged that the 10 year-old-song’s lyrics concerning overpriced arena’s charging £4.50 pints hadn’t exactly aged well, given most punters on the night were charged virtually the same. Characteristically Beans humorously adapted the song and began to attack the £6.00 pint, resulting in universal laughter across the audience. Beans is possibly one of the few to turn a blundering moment into a highlight, even he appreciated this oddity when one of the biggest cheers of the night came after he “f**ked” up a song. A Beans on Toast gig isn’t for those who seek complete musical precision, however Beans’ mistakes become rapidly endearing alongside his witty comments that accompany them.

the audience chanted back beans’ decimation of the far-right with adoration and a real sense of oneness

Given Beans’ status as a folk singer, it was almost obligatory that he honed his gravelly voice over political undertones, this was seen best through his performances of ‘2016’ and ‘A Whole Lot Of Loving’, both of which tear apart populism and the rise of the right. The audience chanted back Beans’ decimation of the far-right with adoration and a real sense of oneness, as a result Beans is very conscious of the impact of his music, both politically and socially. Support for socially liberal causes have previously provokes a crisis of sorts when his hit ‘MDMAmazing’ prompted a young fan to tell Beans that it was this very song that inspired him to start taking drugs as Beans ruefully accounted on the night. This instance encapsulates what is so interesting and inviting about Beans’ message and music, although the laid-back exterior and diy production makes Beans’ music ideal to passively listen to, the hard-hitting lyrics are touching and thought provoking, take Beans’ response to the fan through the track ‘The Children of Bedford’ – which he later performed- tells an autobiographical story of Beans’ experiences with drugs with the punchlines ‘don’t take my advice’ and ‘just because I’ve got a song about MDMA/ well that don’t mean that I think you should take it every day” being particular highlights.

Beans’ warm nature made the night unforgettable and intimate, the image of multiple fans lovingly placing pints onto the stage for him to work his way through was unique and demonstrates the magnetism of the man. Watching Beans on Toast live is a truly memorable experience, don’t miss out.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Mar 2, 2017 By Nick Marsden Filed Under: Music, Live Reviews Tagged With: Phoenix, Exeter Phoenix, Folk, Acoustic, beans on toast, folk punk, singer songwriter, MDMAmazing

Primary Sidebar

exeposemusic

Keeping you up to date with Exeter's music.
Print Editors: @bry.kg & Richard Ainslie
Online Editors: @megfrost_ & @stephenenwei
music@exepose.com

“Skin is a complete sonic charcuterie board” “Skin is a complete sonic charcuterie board”

Go check out Cleo Gravett’s review of @joycrookes debut album Skin.
A review of James Blake’s new album Friends That A review of James Blake’s new album Friends That Break Your Heart is up on exepose.com by Online Music Editor Tom Bosher. What are your thoughts on the album?
Last week, on a crisp September morning in Idaho F Last week, on a crisp September morning in Idaho Falls, Idaho, TikTok user 420doggface208 put Fleetwood Mac back on the charts with nothing more than a phone, a longboard and a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice. That’s a baffling sentence let alone idea. But once you watch a viral video of a man cruising down a slip road, sipping on juice and lip syncing to Stevie Nicks, it makes perfect sense.

Check out the rest of Max Ingleby’s article on TikTok music online now!
Check out the review of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels Check out the review of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels’ latest record, by @_will.thornton_
@aaronloose reviews indie icon Phoebe Bridgers’ @aaronloose reviews indie icon Phoebe Bridgers’ sophomore album online now! Check it out!
Online Lifestyle Editor Elinor Jones reviews one o Online Lifestyle Editor Elinor Jones reviews one of Frank Turner’s Facebook live gigs and discusses the importance of musicians supporting small venues during the pandemic in a new article online now! 🎸
Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa reviews Lady Gag Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa reviews Lady Gaga’s latest album - check it out online now!
Have a read of the review of the BBC’s attempt a Have a read of the review of the BBC’s attempt at a zoom-radio festival by @xharry_ online now!
Check out the interview with @frankiejonesmusic no Check out the interview with @frankiejonesmusic now up online, by print music editor @bridiehazelaa 🤩🖤
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

There may be an issue with the Instagram access token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time.

Tweets by Exeposé Music

Contact Us: editors@exepose.com

Since 1987, Exeposé has given a voice to Exeter students. Over the years, the determination and political fervour exhibited by students through Exeposé have helped shape the University we study at today. We have received national recognition for our award-winning campaigns, investigations and surveys, and always strive to provide students with high-quality news, comment and features.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles and comments do not reflect the views of Exeposé Online or the University of Exeter Student's Guild.

        


© 2022
Website design: Harry Caton and Ellie Cook
Webdesign & development: Harry Caton