Band's return to Sutton club set to bring joy of live music despite Covid 19

The popular Motown Review is coming back to The Diamond club in Sutton, at 7pm, on Friday, September 18.

The Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire-based band’s last gig before the Covid 19 restrictions was on Valentine’s Day at the same venue.

The band says it is now “delighted to be doing its first gig back there,” now the virus restrictions have been eased.

The group is made up of what its Facebook page describes as three “glittery vocalists; Amber Cross, Helen Moody and Lindsay Smith, with a brass section; Cliff Stanton, Kelly Newland and Marie Caldwell, drums; Simon Grant, bass guitar; Damian Chetwood, lead guitar; Dave Martin, keys David Anderson and percussionist Earl Marston.

Singer Lindsay, said: “We are very fortunate that the entire team at the Diamond is extremely professional and they have been strictly following the government guidelines on Covid 19.

“It is important to ensure that both the bands and the customers can still enjoy the live music yet still have a fantastic experience, whilst keeping safe.

“We are all passionate about our music, and live music is so important especially now to beat the Covid 19 blues, we need to keep our entertainment industry going. Virus or no virus, they won’t shut us up!”

She added “ We can't wait to return to The Diamond, to see the team and the customers again, and give them a show that will hopefully lift their spirits during this unusual time. May live music and the entertainment industry live on!”

The band have been going for nearly 18 years, although have welcomed different members over the years. It has strong links to the venue as some of its members have played there with other local bands, including the Sutton-based band Kommitments.

Diamond team member and sound engineer Dave Meadowcroft, has also played with the band and been friends with them for many years.

He said: “The band is absolutely amazing, it’s going to be a Diamond gig not to miss!

"We are following all the guidelines, with socially distanced seating, but despite all that we will still have our great Diamond atmosphere with top some class music for the audience to enjoy.”

Lindsay added: “We were disappointed that we have not been able to gig due to the Covid restrictions, however we have managed to meet weekly on Zoom for band meetings and sometimes taking it in turns to do quizzes to keep our spirits high.

"We have also spent time learning new material at home and then creating videos and recordings which can be found on our Youtube Channel: The Motown Review.

“We had our first rehearsal since the lockdown on Friday, Septemeber 11, at the Playing Aloud rehearsal rooms in Lincoln, where we were able to use their new, larger recording studio/rehearsal space upstairs, and where we were all able to maintain a safe distance. It was so lovely to get together again in person and play as a band once more.”

"This gig in Sutton in Ahsfield is so important to us, and we can’t wait to get back!”