Presented by Rockfact Music Club & IRON-T21

I felt a lot of joy when Relayer returned to the Rockfact Music Club in Münchenstein for another show. I could see this group a couple times live and they inspired me. The local band Groove-T-Gang was added to the program. A Saturday night with exciting music. So I went to Münchenstein. Groove-T- Gang was allowed to ring in musically at 8:45 pm. They were founded in 1983 under the name "July" and are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. A great achievement, as many bands don't reach this age these days. „Uncomfortably Numb“ was the first song to be played. The Hammond organ immediately stood out. Singer Hanspi Olloz convinced with a good vocal performance and appeared confident with his accoustic guitar, dark sunglasses and black hat. Visually, he reminded a little of German singer Udo Lindenberg.

Rockfact Music Club, Münchenstein,  Switzerland – 21.10.2023

Hanspi received vocal support by bassist Giulio Vögelin in the back guitarist Markus Niederer who thrilled with guitar solos and dark sunglasses. Lukas Rosenthaler behind the Hammond organ did a great job because he contributed solos and showed his skills. It seemed casual and simple, but required a lot of attention and sweat. In addition to cover versions, original compositions such as "All These Fairies" and "Cloud Dancer" were played, which were equal with the other songs by the well-known bands. While "Cloud Dancer" was playing, Lukas left his place behind the Hammond organ, started playing the flute and sought contact with the audience. That was well-received. The two Uriah Heep classics "Gipsy" and "Lady in Black" quickly became "Gipsy Lady" and Hanspi said "It's like a discount, you get 2 for 1". Some spectators sang the verse "She came to me one morning, one lonely Sunday morning, her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind, I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking and destruction lay around me from a fight I could not win" and the following "Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, Ah, ah, ah". When the Jethro Tull hit "Locomotive Breath" was played, Lukas played the flute again and walked around the room before returning to the stage. Drummer Kai Dellers could present a drum solo at „Mighty Quinn“  of Manfred Mann. It was just great how he twirled his sticks around. The gig should‘ve been over, but the calls for an encore couldn‘t be ignored. "Easy Living" by Uriah Heep was the last song. The members of Groove-T- Gang received much applause for their excellent performance. Setlist Groove-T-Gang Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd Radar Love – Golden Earring Wish you were here – Pink Floyd All The Fairies Cloud Dancer Gipsy/Lady – Uriah Heep White Room – Cream Locomotive Breath – Jethro Tull Mighty Quinn – Manfred Mann Easy Living – Uriah Heep There was a short break. Headliner Relayer took to the stage at 10:15 pm. "Loss of Control" rang after an intro. Singer Sandy Keller entered the stage with a big smile on her face and a beautiful top with a rose motif. She showed a good singing performance and kept looking for contact with her comrades. Guitarist Freddy Schaffner shone with guitar solos and bassist Bruno Gehriger's groove made the sound catchy. Keyboardist Hene Klodel supported Sandy occasionally with background vocals and their two voices were harmonious. You noticed the melodic rockers from Solothurn had a lot of fun. They put a lot of joy and passion into it. Hene integrated a soundtrack from Deep Purple's "Smoke on the water" into the song "Mistery Woman" for fun. It was great to test the attention of the spectators. Furthermore Sandy introduced the band with this song. The music was presented in an exciting manner. I thought it was brilliant when Sandy snatched the small suitcase full of fake money from her colleague Hene's hands in theatrical style as "Way of the World" was played and she said "Money makes the world go round". The crowd was asked to sing along to the words "Shout it out" and do boxing punches at „Dark Times“. Usually the group would take a short break after this song, but the show continued with "Something's Wrong". The statement "The truth always comes to light" was the transition to the song "The Truth". "Gimme One More Night" was a cover by the Swedish band Treat. I was really looking forward to "Saturday Night" because the chorus "Too Late, too late for love on Saturday, too late, too late for love on Saturday Night" got stuck in the head and there was singing along. The title track „Free“ from the EP would’ve been the last song. However an encore was demanded and conceded with „Hey Baby“. Then the gig was over and the band members Sandy, Freddy, Bruno, Hene and Markus bowed to the audience and left the stage. They did a good performance after their first gig at the Rockfact Music Club in November 2021. They received well-deserved applause. Setlist Relayer Intro Loss of Control Mistery Woman Woman in Black Flying High Only U Way of the world Dark Times Something’s wrong The Truth Monster Gimme One More Night – Treat Don’t Stop Saturday Night Free Hey Baby It was great to experience these two bands live. Groove-T-Gang was mixed by Tobias Schäublin and Relayer by Stefan Walker. The sound was well mixed at all times. Thank you very much for your contribution. Livereport by Dominic Latscha