What a fantastic intimate gig by Justin Currie at Bristol Academy tonight, the final date of a brief UK tour and over 5 years saw Del Amitri last performed as a unit. Making up for lost time, this thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish.
As befits Justin at the moment, everything is low key but that doesn't stop the man from clearly enjoying what he's doing. The gig itself suffered from poor promotion and an early start/finish (curfew was 9:45pm so the venue could set up ready for an indie club night afterwards). It was nervy when a text arrived from the venue to say it had been switched to Academy 2.
As befits Justin at the moment, everything is low key but that doesn't stop the man from clearly enjoying what he's doing. The gig itself suffered from poor promotion and an early start/finish (curfew was 9:45pm so the venue could set up ready for an indie club night afterwards). It was nervy when a text arrived from the venue to say it had been switched to Academy 2.
Main Academy in Wurzle-land (a basement venue underneath an ice rink) is smaller than the others dotted around the country, Academy 2 is basically the top floor bar area, a long(ish) but narrow area. It was full and very warm in there but hard to tell the exact crowd - maybe 400 to 500 at best. The crowd was a mix of ages and types - including a quite unconvincing pre-op he-she trannie, the sort of "lady" that would still make you think and run away late night with the beer goggles on.
That seemed unfair as the ladies themselves had Justin to admire, my other half was drooling at her first sight having been a Del Amitri listener but never having seen them. The guy looked immaculate in a black suit, shirt, tie, sides and looking as trim as ever despite his extra years - unlike most of us males in the audience. What a bastard! For all that however, he's still very much a man's man too with that self deprecating sense of humour.
Despite the general unsuitability of venue which included little, if any, stage meaning only the very front had any view of the group and mainly glimpses of Justin, the acoustics were superb. The excellent 90 minutes set alternated throughout with tracks from his new solo opus, What Is Love For?, some Del Amitri classics and even a couple of new songs .- one a rock out number called Ready To Be and the other title I've forgotten but a very dark essentially drum, keyboard and vocal number with every line beginning with the word,"Tonight" and Justin popping up and down like a Meerkat as he sang it.
It seemed as if only a quarter of the audience were familiar with the new songs - many buying their copies on the way out - so the Dels archive were always going to hit the spot and it was pleasing it wasn't just singles aired. Amongst those played, from memory, were When I Want You, Before The Tide Comes In, Button On My Clothes, Tell Her This, In The Frame, Driving With The Brakes On, Be My Moonlight, Always The Last To Know, Here & Now and I Won't Take The Blame.
Criminally under-rated, both as an artist, songwriter and vocalist, JC had the audience in the palm of his hand and never let them go. His presence and his voice are exceptional in the live arena.
Loads of between song-banter and even a break in the gig when the audience offered to buy him and his band a drink, Guinness Cold for Justin, A Stella, Jagermeisrer and a Red Wine (you what?) for the drummer if you will. On a many of many high points, new stand out anthem, No, Surrender was Justin circling the front of the "stage" holding just a mic and belting out those lyrics is mesmerising. Driving With The Brakes On resonated with the crowd and all the new 'choons' were well received too, Goldust and The Beatle-esque Something In That Mess were my picks. Finishing with Be My Downfall, I just hope it's not 8 years before we get to see him again.
No comments:
Post a Comment