Badly Drawn Boy,Lights Live Review @ Dulcimer (Manchester) - 04 May 2008

Badly Drawn Boy

Live Review

There is a lot wrong with Dulcimer as a music venue. First of all, there is no stage, so gaining a view is always going to prove troublesome. Secondly, the gigs take place in the upstairs room of a bar, the same floor on which the toilets are located, thus guaranteeing a steady stream of people pushing through those attempting to watch. Finally, whilst the lighting is dimmed for the performers, the layout is such that you do not get the blissful sanctuary provided by darkness. Then there is the fact that today is a traditional drinking day, given that most people have a day free of work tomorrow. However, this is all a little churlish when you consider that by parting with just four pounds sterling, you get to watch two acts as sublime as Lights and Badly Drawn Boy. Oh, and also thrown in are the undeniable DJ talents of Andy Votel and friends.

When last I saw Badly Drawn Boy aka Damon Gough, he was bemoaning the year 2007 and admitting to a bout of depression. It is not clear on the evidence of tonight whether the current year is being any kinder to him. Certainly the fact that he wanted to play some new songs tonight but hasn't finished the lyrics is disappointing. However, given that this audience do not even have the concentration for the 'hits', this is possibly no bad thing. Alone with his acoustic guitar, we get six songs from Gough tonight and whilst this is never going to be long enough to even scratch the surface of his back-catalogue, it is just good to see him. The man has always had an ear for a gorgeous melody and lyrically he wears his heart on his sleeve too. Opening with 'Degrees of Separation', he immediately has those at the very front eating from the palm of his hand. It is clear that he is going to play the songs that he wants to play tonight, when he goes into 'This Is That New Song' from his last album and this is fully confirmed when he airs an old b-side called 'Don't Ask Me I'm Only The President'. We do get 'All Possibilities' sandwiched in between and an ending of 'A Minor Incident' from the About A Boy soundtrack album and the truly sublime 'Once Around The Block', from his debut album. These two songs alone have enough heartfelt lines to break even the hardest of hearts ('Just remember that I'll always love you' 'Meet me on the corner and we'll start again') and it's to be hoped that he never loses this gift. Gough also has quite a lot to say between songs tonight, it's just a shame that most of it is lost to the chatter of the 'tired and emotional' folk in attendance. Don't be a stranger for long Damon.

Next up are Lights, a New York psychedelic folk trio who are signed to Andy Votel's Twisted Nerve label in the UK. There is no lead singer in Lights, vocal duties being shared by guitarist Sophia Knapp and drummer Linnea Vedder. The trio is completed by maverick bass player Andy Macleod, who has recently joined the touring line-up. They are currently on the road with their eponymous debut album and we are treated to most of it live tonight. From the moment they open with 'At Midnight', it is clear that there is something special going on here. The harmonies of Knapp and Vedder are simply sublime and you cannot help but be drawn in. 'Sing It O-O-O' is pure, unashamed fun and Knapp and Vedder clearly enjoy singing this one. Joining them onstage is somebody going by the name of Wizard Smoke, who uses a heat-box to project images onto a screen behind the band. This gives the set a real arty feel and perfectly complements the music. The fuzzy guitar of 'Branches Low' cannot fail to get the feet moving, whilst 'For You' is a more trance-like groove. The love they receive as the music stops shows that they have won over a small corner of Manchester tonight.

So, an odd night really. Two acts of considerable talent and DJ's playing seldom heard classics. I just come away feeling a little frustrated that my enjoyment is marred by the (twenty-four hour?) party people. I would hope that I will get many more chances to see both Damon Gough and Lights and at least I'll know what I'm getting if ever I venture to Dulcimer again.

Mike Nuttall