Babybird

A decent crowd was in attendance at King Tuts tonight for the arrival of Babybird. In other words, Stephen Jones. A man very hard to pigeonhole. Some people think of the phenominally succesful worldwide smash of `You`re Gorgeous` , Some think of Gordon Ramsays theme song `The F Word` and some hark back that `Golden age of Britpop`. All of the above do not even begin to paint a picture of a man who has an L.P discography running into double figures, Writes novels and has produced a film soundtrack.
Babybird may have written and recorded a few mainstream `hits` but in general, Their music has always been too dark and complex for the typical pop fan looking for more of the same. He seems to have delibrately shunned the commercial spotlight and done his own thing.

This was the first time I had encountered Babybird on a live setting but knew before it began that the set would consist of new or rare tracks and there was little chance of chance of nostalgic sing-a-longs. The band launched straight into the new material with the second song `Failed Suicide Club` particularly powerful and hushing the crowd into a state of awe. Jones seemed to feel the crowd was somewhat subdued `Are you here for an execution?` he quipped but from the crowd response inbetween songs it was apparent they were merely being respectful and soaking up every word that came through the microphone.
speaking of respect, A great deal must be given to the sound enginner who kept the levels perfect and let every instument be heard without ever over-bearing. Vocally, Jones was on top of his game and the band were tight throughout with highlights that included `Drug Time`, `Bastard` and the fantastic forgotten classic that is `Bad Old Man` but there was something slightly bizarre about tonight. He seemed to be holding his tongue inbetween songs (Apparently, He was quite the reverse in Nottingham) and seemed intent on letting the music do the talking.

The crowd raised the roof and demanded an encore which prompted a well-recieved `Little Things` and he dedicated the finale `Goodnight` to Mark from Sparklehorse before cutting the set short and apologising for being so dour as his father had passed away earlier in the day. It was the strangest end to a gig I have witnessed but made a lot of sense. It explained why the onstage banter had been concise but minimal but there was never any doubt over the passion of the delivery and to put together such an outstanding performance on such a dark day gives Stephen Jones and the band a well-deserved 5 stars. Its a shame that the set was cut short a little and a few classics were left out as a result but everyone who was there can thank themselves lucky that this gig went ahead at all. The gig convinced me to part with cash and buy the new album and I urge all passive fans or anyone with a leaning towards the likes of Nick Cave to do the same. On this performance, I may even go one better and purchase one of his books.

SETLIST- Black Flowers; Failed Suicide Club; Like Them; Out Of Sight; Drug Time; Bastard; ENCOREUnloveable; Cornershop; All Men Are Evil; Send Me Back; The Way You Are; Bad Old Man; ENCORE - Little Things, Goodnight