27 February 2015 (gig)
02 March 2015
Many years after first seeing The Levellers at Glastonbury, I am looking forward to tonight’s screening of ‘A Curious Life’, (a documentary about the band) followed by an acoustic performance at the Union Chapel.
Directed by Dunstan Bruce, former Chumbawamba frontman, it’s a humerous and off-beat insight into one of the most loved yet critically reviled bands of the 90s. Jeremy Cunningham, bassist (and artist) takes us on a journey through The Levellers’ prolific 1988 - 1998 period before the inevitable decline into drink, drugs and creative drought.
Perhaps surprisingly, the self-implosion never ended in break-up so re-inventing themselves as a self-managing collective with their own studio, label and Beautiful Days festival, The Levellers overcame the odds to become unexpected survivors in a UK music industry strewn with abandoned promise. Dunstan succinctly sums up ‘A Curious Life’ as “A potted journey through 25 years of subsidised dysfunctionalism.”
After the film, the six-piece kick off with ‘The Boatman’ from their 1991 self proclaimed “best album” ‘Levelling The Land’. ‘The Road’ is the only other song from the album to make an appearance, ‘One Way’ and ’15 Years’ disappointing no shows.
Their first album, ‘A Weapon Called the Word’, has more of a presence with ‘Barrel of the Gun’, ‘Three Friends’, ‘Carry Me’ and ‘What You Know’ warmly welcomed.
Singer Mark Chadwick looks comfortable in his waistcoat taking occasional sips of red wine, while ‘film star’ Jeremy Cunningham sits inconspicuously on the second row providing the backbone with drummer Charlie Heather. Jonathan Sevink, on fiddle, is also deserving of praise as the Union Chapel audience get to their feet to join the rhythmical feast.
The bands organic, earthy, folk routes seem to get the best out of this spiritual chamber. The didgeridoo, played from the pulpit, a particular highlight, with the resulting resonations relished by all.
The Levellers are still here and still relevant, and as Cunningham said “I like to think that we haven’t written our best song yet”.
We look forward to hearing it…
Setlist:
BOATMAN
THE ROAD
HARD FIGHT
CONFESS
EDGE OF THE WORLD
ALONE IN DARKNESS
61 MINS
DIDGE
E
LA TION
AFTER HURRICANE
MAID OF THE RIVER
BARREL OF THE GUN
TRUTH IS
DIRTY DAVEY
BURFORD STOMP
CARRY ME
WHAT YOU KNOW
