After having been special guests to Simple Minds earlier this year roots rockers Del Amitri decided to play five headlining dates in Scotland in the latter part of December. They then opted to add a further nine dates in England almost as an elongated warm up to those dates. It`s day four on the English section as the band reach the Black Country and arrive at a good as sold out Wulfrun Hall and just under 1300 expectant fans . It`s been a decade since I last saw the band so was really looking forward to re-acquainting myself with them.
The group saunter on stage with minimal fuss and head straight into the rhythmic `Nation of Caners` from their last album `Fatal Mistakes` with it`s kind of lyrical stream of consciousness. The lyrically antagonistic `Opposite View` quickly follows before `Not Where It`s At` a number that seems to be about unrequited love.
It`s back in time for the band and me with `Kiss This Thing Goodbye` and I’m transported back to Synatras in Birmingham and August 1989 a month after the band`s second album `Waking Hours` was released and the first time I saw the band. The delightful `Always the Last To Know` follows before Justin Currie shares that the next tune `It`s Never Too Late To Be Alone` which they played in London, brought their ex-manager to tears and I have to agree that it`s a heartbreaking listen.
`Missing Person` is tipped as a drinking song before a massive expectant sigh rings out as the opening chords to `Driving With The Brakes On` plays and this packed audience is mesmerised. We have a brand-new song with `Don`t Cry, Don`t Cry` as we head into the home stretch with songs such as `Lonely` which was immense live and `Move Away Jimmy Blue` before the show closes out with the wonderful `Stone Cold Sober`.
It doesn`t take too long before the band return for a three-song encore with `This City Loves You Back`, the highlight of the evening for me in `Nothing Ever Happens` with Andy Alston adding accordion hues which would draw tears from a stone before leaving us with `Be My Downfall`.
Justin Currie, Iain Harvey, Kris Dollimore, Andy Alston and Ashley Soan or Del Amitri share such an understated performance that it felt as if we were catching up with old friends tonight. There`s no smoke and mirrors just some gifted musicians that share melodic numbers with lyrics that will rock you to your very soul. There`s still a chance to catch these guys before this marvellous tour ends and if you have any sense you`ll grasp that opportunity.
