When Loose Ends met Children of Zeus
Loose Ends took to the stage at The Blues Kitchen in Manchester last week to perform not one but two shows of sensational soul music. Over 40 years since the group emerged in 1980, original member Carl McIntosh, along with the current Loose Ends band, continues to tour and amaze, playing all the fan favourites from Gonna Make You Mine to Slow Down, Magic Touch, and the iconic Roland TR-808 masterpiece Hanging On A String.
Opening with 1984’s “Emergency (Dial 999), Loose Ends started as they meant to go on bringing energy, slick dance moves and studio quality music to the Manchester venue.
It was a pleasure to hear Loose Ends journey through their discography showcasing their legendary contribution to 1980s soul and British R&B. The band played everything from their version of David Bowie’s Golden Years, to the uplifting Tell Me What you Want, and a stunning performance of The Jones Girls Nights Over Egypt.
Don’t Be a Fool, from the 1990 Look How Long album, was a personal favourite from the night with Carl cooly delivering the cockney ‘sort ya life out’ line.
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One very special moment, was when Carl invited Manchester soul duo Children of Zeus to the stage to freestyle on You Can’t Stop The Rain. Members Konny Kon and Tyler Daley had already been watching the performance from the crowd and what happened next was nothing short of legendary. Check out my dodgy video below to witness the vibes in the venue when Loose Ends met Children of Zeus.
If you’re a fan of Children of Zeus, you may know how much the work of Carl McIntosh, and previous Loose Ends members (Jane Eugene, Steve Nichol and later Linda Carriere and Sunay Suleyman) has influenced and inspired the Manchester soul act.
“The blueprint of UK Soul and one of our big influences invited us on stage last week and I’m putting this moment up there as a highlight for me.” – Konny Kon (Children of Zeus)
Konny also stated that anybody who claims you shouldn’t meet your heroes, hasn’t met Carl McIntosh. After the gig, Children of Zeus kicked it backstage with Loose Ends, Carl signed Konny’s Loose Ends records, and they shared the love for each other’s music, with Tyler letting Carl know that without Loose Ends, there would be no Children of Zeus. The admiration runs two ways, and I hope we see more collaboration and music from “ZEUS ENDS”.
“Children of Zeus is the best UK group for soul, rap and reggae since Loose Ends and Soul 2 Soul” – Carl McIntosh (Loose Ends)
For more of the best UK soul music, here’s a Loose Ends Tribute Mix Konny put together a few years ago featuring a track from an unreleased album!
You should also head to the Children of Zeus Bandcamp to hear their full discography and explore their Manchester Soul sound.