Belle & Sebastian at Chelsea Hospital

Chelsea Hospital is not best known for its gigs. Chelsea Flower Show has been a more regular event, but there is money in live music and everywhere big enough wants a cut. So this was my first visit here for a gig (as opposed to the Flower Show).

I think it is fair to say that the gigs they put on are not cutting edge and are aimed at the older (and more affluent gig goer. I went with my mate Tom and his brother, and even though Tom is at the younger end of the spectrum, as a junior solicitor he hits the affluent button. But as we don't generally go to see older bands, who fitted the bill? Belle & Sebastian. Fun Scottish band who have been knocking out nonthreatening music with an intellectual bent for 20 odd years now, and have a cult, but middle-class following.

But first the venue. Bit of a walk to get there, but it is a beautiful building, with spacious grounds.

 Wer missd the opening act but caught a bit of the main support - a rather wistful duo. Not bad.

 Then we had a little double act from two Chelsea Pensioners explaining about the place and seeking donations. They were very good and went down rather better than the support act.

So then onto the main act. If you have never seen Belle & Sebastian live, I would urge you to correct this gap in your bucket list. Difficult to quite sum up what they have. Glaswegian band from the same era as Orange Juice and Aztec Camera. Glaswegian brings up (in my mind at least) something aggressive and shouty. But like Orange Juice and Aztec Camera, that is far from the case. They are almost fey. Intellectual and gentle with jaunty tunes. 

Frontman Stuart Murdoch has a great line in patter, possibly second only to Guy Garvey for charm, warmth and rapport with the audience. Guitarist Steve Jackson acts as his straight man in onstage banter. They give the strong impression that they actually enjoy what they do, without gushing.

Their many albums produce a big catalogue to choose from, so you don't know what you are going to get. Stuart hasn't got the strongest of voices, and female vocalist Sarah Martin is even weaker, but somehow that just adds to their charm.

Stuart Murdoch

Sarah Martin

Stevie Jackson

Now a particular feature of B&S gigs consists of inviting members of the audience to come up on stage and dance to some of their more jaunty songs. Some bands try and invite some of the more attractive audience members (usually female) up in a highly controlled manner. Not B&S. This is not a talent show. Audience members do not come up to show off their extraordinary prowess in the field of modern dance. This is more "dad at a wedding" stuff, with truly geeky types featuring. But frankly, I can think of few more genuinely joyous feel good sights (and sounds) than this lot dancing along to "Boy with the Arab Strap", probably their best known number. Its just wonderful. And ultimately, what more is there to entertaining than making your audience feel good? A winning formula.

Top geek from the dancing audience this night was the chap in the red jumper on the left above. He looked (and danced) as I imagine a Christian Union chemist student who survived years of bullying at a comprehensive school would.