AK & The Red Kites / The Whitley Lake Band / Nia Nicholls

Oct30

AK & The Red Kites / The Whitley Lake Band / Nia Nicholls

on October 30th, 2025 at 17:22

Lighthouse, Poole

Hangover Hill presents Live & Unheard

Those of us regulars know that Hangover Hill’s Live & Unheard at the Sheiling Studio is our happy place. For just a few hours we can shut the theatre door and forget all our worries, while being entertained by some great original live acts. Tonight the eve of all hallows eve, the Hangover Hill team promise no tricks, just musical treats in the form of three very different grassroots music acts.

The first act I can’t think about without mentioning local DJ Ben Bennett, who at every opportunity is singing this young lady’s praises and quite rightly so. I’ve had the privilege of seeing her perform a couple of times as a solo act, however tonight we are bestowed with a full band. Singer/Songwriter Nia Nicholls is a modern Country singer with a divine voice, which sometimes features a Country drawl; but beware, especially boys as her lyrics show she has a sting in her tail! Nia’s band features producer Dan Parkinson on electric guitar/vocals, with the rhythm section of Simon Pay on bass and David Penfound on drums. Opening with “Cali Beaches”, immediately our ears are blessed with a wonderful wholesome sound of Nia’s voice.

Nia Nicholls 1–2–3–4–5–6–7

There are plenty of highlights, notably the unique sounding “I’m a Marionette” written about a friend that drops you without warning and the bittersweet fairytale take on “Goldilocks” with a plot twist at the end. Nia and her band have plenty of variations within their creativity and are by no means one trick ponies with a host of different styles. The audience including a large number of friends and extended family including her two biggest fans, her parents, all show their appreciation for an impressive set. Nia has plenty of talent in abundance, along with style and a huge amount of confidence in what she is doing. As Ben’s been saying for ages, she is certainly one of the best female singer/songwriters on this manor.

Next up we have a band who seem familiar, but their name may not be? Guitarist/Vocalist Richie Adams along with Martin Ramsey have been in a number of acts together, previously Hothman Sloth (with Nacho Jase on bass), The Sabres and experimental side project Dirty Shingles. Richie and Martin have been joined by Luke Parnell on bass to form The Whitley Lake Band with the band named after a local location near the peninsular of Sandbanks. The band last year released their debut album “A Drop In The Ocean” featuring a great collection of Rock- tinged originals.

The Whitley Lake Band 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8

After an intro from friend to all local musicians Si Genaro, the band hit the stage and give us their opening gambit, a 50’s style surf jam. The three-piece have already developed a fine chemistry of creativity. The trio are traditionalists and create their own brand of Rock with a host of influences with songs like the smouldering Blues-injected “Bad Time to Fall In Love” and “Getting Out of Hell”. Not ones for sitting still, the band gift us a impressive brand new composition that they have just completed called “What You Are Trying to Say”. Looking around the Live & Unheard crowd are all certainly enjoying the band’s set. After all, what’s not to love about three seasoned musicians rocking out with some wonderful original tunes. The band leave us wanting more with a great tune off the debut album called “2 Weeks”, with Richie showing off his imposing guitar skills, ably backed with his rock solid rhythm section.

The final band from just outside London are another trio called AK & The Red Kites fronted by Ak (Andrew Knightley, formerly of Trident Waters) with the rhythm section made up of Rob Honey on bass and Ash Sims on drums. I’ve personally never heard of this band before and from their rip-roaring opening number I think why. I feel like Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy sat in the chair on the Maxwell 1980’s cassette advert, wow what a beautiful sound these guys make. It sounds like a wonderful mix of Bon Scott era AC/DC, with some Jimi Hendrix guitar along with some more modern influences. These guys are a force to be reckoned with and after the first few songs, myself and much of the audience are smiling from ear to ear. Much kudos to Hangover Hill’s Mel for discovering them and bringing them to this stage.

AK And The Red Kites 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

From creative majesty “Proverbial Storm” to the totally infectious “Good Time Roller” and the band’s new single “We Belong”, these guys thoroughly entertain, all three work together like a well oiled machine and they have an exciting chemistry. The more they play the more the audience warm to them. “Baby Don’t Love Me” shows the band turning on their heels with a fine Rootsy Blues number and “Tear It Up” features a notable bass intro. Ak is an exciting guitarist to watch and with an array of effect pedals, generates a fine atmospheric sound and by the time we reach the final number “Wolf Moon” I’m sold on them. As the band take their bows, there is loud celebratory noise from the audience for the trio’s fantastic set.

Set Lists
AK & The Red Kites
Devils Stomp
Cosmic Train
Broken Love
Proverbial Storm
Hotter Than The Sun
Good Time Roller
We Belong
Baby Don’t Love Me
Tear It Up
Stronger
Karmic Rituals
Control The Animal
Wolf Moon

Nia Nicholls
Cali Beaches
Exes
Fool Again
Movies From Cannes
Sad in London
If You Were a Song
I’m a Marionette
Goldilocks
Back Up

The Whitley Lake Band
Surf Jam
Paralysed
Standing Alone
What You Trying to Say
Bad Time to Fall in Love
Getting Out of Hell
Last Thing on My Mind
Find My Way Home
2 Weeks

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