Stoney

Stoney, Neil McSweeney at Sheffield Plug, Sat 22 Jul

Review by Rob Webb

How on earth Mark Stoney's face isn't already plastered all over national music magazines is a mystery to me, but with the new record receiving some notable press plaudits that could change sooner rather than later. What's certain is that this young multi-instrumentalist oozes star appeal, and, for once, possesses enough talent to back up the bravado.»

Plug

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Stoney

Mark Stoney writes, records, produces & plays nearly all the instruments on his records himself (all but drums), and the year started with a bang for Stoney, when his small run release, ‘Constantly Running’, became 2005’s first ‘Single of the Week’ on the iTunes worldwide Music Store. In its first week, it received nearly 17,000 downloads in the UK alone with thousands more throughout Europe.

Along with the backing of a full band to take the songs to the stage, Stoney has quickly forged a reputation as an exhilarating live performer. As well as their own headline gigs and national radio sessions, Stoney and his band have recently completed a string of stunning shows with the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Athlete, Magic Numbers, Alfie and the Futureheads and festival appearances including Glastonbury & Truck.

Neil McSweeney

Hailing from Sheffield, songwriter Neil McSweeney writes, sings and performs all his own material, the very same that makes up his debut album, which was recorded with 'the Gents'; an amorphous group of local musicians who dropped in on the sessions for the record. Live, the Gents include members of Sheffield bands Rumpus and Baby Long Legs, Leeds stalwarts Scaramanga Six and ihop, the remix duo responsible for re-working the Long Blondes' single 'Separated by Motorways'.