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Savages – Melkweg, Amsterdam 15-5-2013

This may very well be the most exciting gig I’ve been to in years. The main act hadn’t even begun when I started thinking that. Opening act (and Savages producer) Johnny Hostile – and yes, he is, rather – was dramatic and edgy enough to pull me in, with Savages’ guitar player guesting on one song and their lead singer singing on another. The stark lighting certainly helped, the wall of ageing rock photographers covering front row for all of the show must have been wetting themselves. Although the guy next to me missed opportunities through his incessant chimping.

As for the main act, musically they had all the drive and intensity that their new album suggests. Guitarist, bass player and the drummer in particular are solid performers. Jehnny Beth’s strong voice is equal parts Siouxsie and Bjork but she seems a better singer than both. As for her performance, I’d expected something else. It’s hard to explain but although she was vocally convincing I didn’t quite believe her act, the power she seems to want to project. A little awkward, too much girl-acting-tough with the emphasis on ‘acting’. So when she balls her tiny fist and raises it, she looks hesitant, as if she can’t quite it believe herself. I certainly didn’t. Perhaps if she ditched the shiny red stilettos and put on some heavy boots she’d find her balance and look more grounded.

A thrill, with some reservations.

Bat for Lashes, Melkweg, Amsterdam



Bat for Lashes, originally uploaded by Caroline.

Natasha Khan’s tom-boyish, goofy performance was alright and the music was solid and I loved the way she dressed her stage… but I wasn’t feeling it. I hear so many other artists in her music and voice, and I’m not sure what makes Khan’s music hers. I kept thinking ‘Sounds like Tori Amos sounding like Kate Bush, not as distinctive’, ‘Sounds like Sinead… not as other wordly’, ‘Gosh, this is very Olwen Fouere’, (Who?), ‘Bit of Bjork, not as barking…’ I left before the end of the show. Ben Christophers played keyboards in the band. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.

Holy cow I’ve seen the light

Guy Garvey’s a perfectionist. One of those type of singers whose entire experience of a show can be ruined by missing one single note. When he does that at the end of a particularly taxing and otherwise perfectly angelic song, the disappointment is clear on his face. ‘No worries, mate,’ someone shouts.

There’s bands that make you want to dance, and bands that make you want to shoe gaze, bands that make you angry and bands that make you want to take to the barricades. Elbow’s a band that makes me think of everybody and everything I’ve ever loved in my entire life, family, friends, lovers, entire cities, and make me love them even more.

Throw those curtains wide!

Martha Wainwright embracing the drama

One of the highlights of the 4-hour journey that was Rogue’s Gallery London. Martha Wainwright, a striking blonde with killer pipes belting out Lowlands Away, which her brother Rufus and mother Kate McGarrigle had sung on the Rogue’s Gallery album.

By the way, this was the night’s set list:

1) CAPE COD GIRLS / CROSSBONE SCULLEY – Baby Gramps + Chorus

2) HOG EYE MAN – Martin Carthy + Chorus

3) MY SON JOHN – Tim Robbins + Chorus

4) HAUL AWAY JOE – Teddy Thompson + Chorus

5) BALTIMORE WHORES – Gavin Friday + Eliza Carthy

6) FAREWELL NANCY – Langley Sisters/Ed Harcourt
7) OLE OG – Langley Sisters/Ed Harcourt

8) SAM’S GONE AWAY – Robyn Hitchcock + Chorus

9) LEAVE HER JOHNNY – Sandy Dillon

10) BONNIE PORTMORE – Kami Thompson + violins

11) ROLLING SEA – Eliza Carthy

12) DAN DAN + OBOE DUEL – David Thomas
13) FIRE DOWN BELOW – David Thomas

14) GED A SHEOL MI AIR – Julie Fowlis

15) MINGULAY BOAT SONG – Chris Difford + Kami

16) GOOD SHIP VENUS – Richard Strange

17) LONG TIME AGO – White Magic
18) BLOOD RED ROSES – White Magic + Chorus

19) COAST OF HIGH BARBARY – Neil Hannon
20) TURKISH REVELRY – Neil Hannon + Gita

21) BAY OF BISCAY – Norma + Martin, Eliza

22) SALLY BROWN – Teddy Thompson

23) BULLY IN THE ALLEY – Gavin/Sandy/ Pete?
24) BONEY WAS A WARRIOR – Gavin w/ Shane/Pete?

25) SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Shane McGowan w/Tim/Pete + Chorus

26) HAUL ON THE BOWLINE – Tim Robbins + Chorus
27) THE CRUEL SHIP’S CAPTAIN – Tim Robbins + violins

28) CAROLINE AND HER YOUNG SAILOR – Suzanne Vega + violins

29) LITTLE BOY BILLIE – Ralph Steadman + Chorus

30) ONE SPRING MORNING – Teddy + Kath Williams + violins/BVs

31) ROW THE BOAT CHILD – Jenni Muldaur + Chorus + violins

32) DRUNKEN SAILOR – David Thomas + Shane + Tymon

33) LOWLANDS LOW – Chris Difford + Gita

34) LOWLANDS AWAY – Martha + violins

35) GREY FUNNEL LINE – Martha

36) NEW YORK GALS / WILD GOOSE – Robyn Hitchcock + Chorus

37) PINERY BOY – Gavin Friday + violins

38) TURAS – Julie Fowlis

39) LIVERPOOL CHANTEY – Shane + Pete Doherty & Tim + Chorus

40) THE MERMAID – Martin
41) THE NIGHTINGALE – Eliza
42) SHALLOW BROWN – Norma + Chorus

43) OLD MAN OF THE SEA – Baby Gramps