Laurie Wright's show last year at the Electric Ballroom was epic, so I hoped much the same from this year's show at the Forum. To be honest the Forum was just a bit too big for him, but that doesn't mean there wasn't a decent enough turnout. And the line up was very much to my taste.
The opener was Kit, at an unfairly early start time of 7:15. Unfair because doors didn't officially open until 7 and actually was few minutes later than that that I got in. (They desperately promote this thing whereby if you have an O2 phone you get priority entry. For this show, where the queue was only a dozen or so there was no point in "jumping the queue" unless they just held back people until a few minutes after doors open.)
So this poor young man stated out playing to a very paltry crowd. Think a young Jake Bugg. Playing only his own compositions. Normally my heart sinks at the sight of a solo singer songwriter coming on with an acoustic guitar, but he just about had enough about him, good voice, good songs, animation) that he could carry it off
Acting as MC through the night, as well as playing some songs himself, was Tom McQ. He odes a lot of this stuff. He actually has a good voice and his interludes would be ok if he stuck to playing. Unfortunately he does talk. And as MC I would describe him as just about the most annoying of all time. Simply because he should be in the Guinness Book of Records for the most cliches per minute ever recorded. Just endless banal, and repeated again and again over the evening. There is nothing so very wrong with being a hippy, but his continuous twaddle just grates.
I have seen the second support, Stereo Cupid once before a couple of years back and they were amazing as a live act, a real force of nature. However they either don't play often or I just can't find them. But boy do they give it everything. There is an awful lot of movement on stage which my photos can't really capture. To get good shot I need good lighting and stillness. Their set rarely had bright lights and they very rarely stood still for a moment!
These shots below include a young curly-haired cameraman that I recall meeting once before queuing on a wet night to get into the Grace. He told me he had started a photography/ media course and at the time had written to a number of bands asking to be allowed to take photos for a portfolio. Seems like he has done well!
Two of the guitarists now having removed their jackets to go bare chested, the lead singer decided to pull off his vest. I do recall them being keen to get shirtless at the previous gig at which I saw them. Despite the fact that I was on the front row and distinctly chilly in my t-shirt, they were clearly sweating buckets on stage both from the lights and their strutting around.
A lot of hydration breaks - this beat the World Cup in the States for humidity
(After the show I found that Stereo Cupid have two London gigs before Christmas, but I already have tickets for other gigs both nights! Grr)
At the next interlude Tom McQ duetted with the opener Kit, which meant Kit at latest now played to a substantial audience. (I had actually bought a ticket to see Kit again at the end of the month - not deliberately but he is on a Halloween bill.)
Main support were Sweet Unrest, who I haven't seen in ages. They have better songs than Stereo Cupid, but not quite the frenetic stage presence. Not quite. That isn't to say they are lacking. They are fun to watch as well as listen to.
Leon sported a very sharp new suit
Below photos display the difficulties in capturing live performance. Top one has Tom basically in focus but Leon blurred, the one below it the other way around. Just a case of who was moving his head at the precise moment I snapped it!
Guest violinist on "Falling for You" with Marlon in the background
And Laurie Wright coming on stage (right) to add some guest vocals
And finally Laurie Wright. He had spent a fair bit of the evening in the photographers' "pit" between the front barrier and the stage, enjoying his support acts. He is a very active bloke.
He odes always ply with a band which lifts him above the singer songwriter with guitar acts. He has a good voice and struts his stuff on stage along with some unforced banter.
Unfortunately announced that this bloke, Leo, was ending his time with the band and a new bassist is coming. I have seen this chap play a number of times, including solo. (Could do without the new mustache though😀)
This was a long gig - went on past 11pm. On my way out I bumped into Luka (ex of the Mitchells) who told me that he now played in a band called the Mayfair (whom I have seen a couple of times and quite liked) as a result of which I have booked a ticket to see them next week in Soho. It pays to talk! That I met Luka is not such a great surprise as I see him attending lots of gigs. More of a surprise was seeing Charlie Swift of the Entitled Sons, one of my favourite bands. Very gratifying to just see him at someone else's gig. A real music fan and not just a great rock singer.
