Reviewed on 27th September 2011.

Matt Belmont Band

Live at Royal Park Cellars on Saturday, 24th September 2011

The latest Leeds Women's Aid Charity gig organised by Cool Acoustics got off to a finely tuned start with Royal Park Cellars regular Steph Stephenson. Many in the audience could remember Steph as a nervous performer when she played one of her first gigs at Cool Acoustics a couple of years ago, but we now saw a confident performer, who performed many of her known songs including the excellent "The Girl who has everything".

Following next was York-based songstress Alice Ostapjuk, who, with her distinctive voice and presence, confirmed why her recently launched EP is gaining great reviews as she wowed the audience with a set including her own "Samuels Secret", "Paper planes and shooting stars" to her own take on the classic Diana Ross track "You can't hurry love".

The third female singer-songwriter to take the stage was Sian Alexandra (also known as Opie Deino), who demonstrated great writing ability to match a voice of immense power. As she sang about keeping herself warm, she did just that to the music-lovers present and no doubt will do for years to come.

The evening was then cranked up by the brilliant Australian band The Coopers, who with an array of musical instruments that could challenge many music shops for choice, the four-piece band showed an enjoyment for performing which was a pleasure to witness, and a refreshing change from the sullen bands who feature so much on the various music channels. Included in their set was the track "Autumn" which will be appearing on their EP to be released in a couple of months.

The evening then took on a more soulful slant with the powerful and rich vocals of Anaïs, who gave wonderful renditions of classic tracks such as "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and "Ain't no Mountain High Enough". With Steph Stephenson accompanying Anaïs, they made a fine duo who complimented each others voices perfectly.

Last but certainly not least was the Matt Belmont Band who started the set with a track titled "It's only love" and showed from the first note of that first song to the end of the set what a highly talented performer he is, and why his fans love his music.

Hats off again to Cool Acoustics for bringing together such a talented line-up. Britain's (and Australia!) got talent and it's appearing at a "live" music venue near you!