"The most requested band on the show this month."
Steve Lamacq BBC Radio 1
"One of the most exciting UK bands this year."
Jean-Pierre Sablier Virgin Radio France
"The funky guitar riff of Pawns On The Fence and the raging pulse of the SKA bassline are the heartbeat of this soulful track packed with more horns than a cattle market. A frantic song that is sure to carry more of a killer punch when played live; you can imagine it being the soundtrack to another Frank Gallagher punch up in The Jockey."
City Life
"No doubting the main event though as The Tivoli take to the stage amid raucous cheering and deliver a memorable performance. Some great bluesy and rock guitar from Damian Baughan and electro beats thrown into several tracks make for a surprisingly eclectic set. The spotlight though is on the charismatic shaven headed front man Lee McMahon whose vocal delivery is breathtaking, from the evocative social commentary of My Town to the hard hitting rock of closer Common Foot Soldiers, which the audience salute with beer glasses held high. Deafening cheers at the end but no encore tonight so The Tivoli's army of fans go home hungry for more."
Sheffield Star
"Rotherham-based The Tivoli rock with some zinging tunes"
The Scotsman
"The audience at the Boardwalk for The Tivoli's latest homecoming to South Yorkshire will not have gone home disappointed, as things built to a triumphant crescendo. Few songwriters can have penned one memorable love song to Rotherham, never mind two. That McMahon has mustered a stunning pair—the moving fans' favourite Drop Me Off in Rotherham and new two-part anthem My Town—is a tribute to his talent. Drop Me Off was performed solo in a stripped-down acoustic version and prompted large sections of an affectionate audience to sing along, while My Town, a dark slice of commentary on urban disaffection and social decay, injected fresh energy and impetus into a convincing performance, providing the highlight of an enjoyable set. All that was left was for the band to bring the house down with a rousing Common Foot Soldier, many of those present obeying McMahon's command to "raise a glass for the common foot soldier."
Rotherham Advertiser
"Inspired by the terraces, by small town struggles, wage slavery, the death throes of the welfare state and war. "
Socialist Worker
"Fantastic Songwriting"
Alan Raw, BBC Raw Talent Humberside
"Album of the Month...with an almighty bang, The Tivoli exploded out of the speakers with their album "National Service". One for the people, without a doubt."
www.bluesbunny.com
"Every song hits the mark"
Radio Coma
"The Tivoli's creativity is countered with their finger firmly on the pulse of the contemporary music scene... "
The Music Magazine
"National Service' by The Tivoli is a glorious piece of post-punk rock... are you startin' to feel it yet? I sure am!! A truly brilliant album. Stunning, simply stunning!!
www.toxicpete.co.uk
"The sold-out crowd tonight certainly get it.... it's impossible not to be impressed, they have a legendary live set!"
Sandman Magazine
Rotherham art-rockers The Tivoli are a band used to hard work, fitting their legendary live performances and recording in between various day and night jobs. Graft and grit has seen the band build a rock solid regional fan base and produce "National Service", an album that embraces politics, war, debt and the burden of mundane jobs without losing sight of more passionate issues: violence, sex, and heartbreak. Unafraid to address the burdens of modern life, The Tivoli also offer defiance through music, through knowing your roots and, most importantly, through knowing how to have a good time.
This defiance comes from working with and not against cultural change in modern Britain and The Tivoli sound is a testament to the diversity of British culture, even in its smaller industrial towns. "Common Foot Soldier" and "My Town" smack of post punk art-rock; "Drop Me Off In Rotherham" is punctuated by industrial heritage brass. The effect of dance music's impact on England's sonic landscape is expertly illustrated on "Pawns on the Fence" while "Ballad Of The Beauty Queen" and "Cum With Me" swing like bastard sons of late 60's brit rock. The Tivoli are a band inspired by the terraces, by small town struggles and wage slavery - but they go beyond these issues by conscientiously engaging and incorporating with what it means to be a conscript in modern Britain.
The Tivoli are: Lee McMahon (Vocals, Guitar); Damian Baughan (Lead Guitar); Gareth Eaton (Drums); Russell Frisby (Bass).
www.myspace.com/thetivolimusic |
