Special guest tonight is Tom McRae, which I thought was a strange choice until the singer-songwriter shared that he`d met both David Bowie and John Cale backstage many years ago at a show in the United States. This anecdote was shared amongst others during the artists reflective forty five minute set which opened with the fairly haunting `Lately`s All I Know`. The first half of the set comprised songs such as `You Cut Her Hair` a number included on the artist`s self-titled Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album and a selection of songs that the artist said were downbeat. Tom teased that he usually played venues ironically named such as the Glee Club and was astounded by tonight`s Grade I listed setting. The second section wasn`t any less melancholic but maybe slightly more upbeat with a couple of cuts from the singer`s last album `Étrange Hiver` which maybe translates as `Strange or Odd Winter` with `Half On My Mind` and `Wild Love`. The numbers are fairly enthralling with lyrics that are delightfully contemplative and highlight the strength and depth of this artist`s storytelling skills. It was a reflective, absorbing, and thoughtful performance from a home grown artist that doesn`t get the recognition that his talent and artistry richly deserves.
Welsh musician, composer and founding member of the American rock band The Velvet Underground, John Cale turned eighty three earlier this month and despite this maturity of age he`s out on the road and undertaking a schedule that would exhaust a man of half his years. His eighteenth studio album `Poptical Illusion` was released less than a year ago and this avant-garde icon arrives back in Birmingham just over two years since he last graced our wonderful city.
There`s a no photo or video policy tonight and while in principal I agree with it, it ensures that the staff are flitting about nervously shining torches to deter the most ardent of reprobates who defy this rule. Tool have a similar strategy but allow the faithful the opportunity to take a snap or video during the final number, which to me seems to be more practical and less distracting.
The lights dim and Mr Cale accompanied by Dustin Boyer on guitar, Joey Maramba on bass and Alex Thomas on drums walk on stage and head into the rhythmic rolling `Shark Shark` a number from the latest release that is wonderfully hypnotic. The singer then sits at his keyboard where he remains for the duration of this nigh on one hundred minute set. `Captain Hook` from forty odd years ago is a surreal jam or voyage of sorts with back screens sharing artistic visualisations to accompany the number.
We enjoy a blend of old and new with songs like `The Endless Plain of Fortune` that is mesmerising before a version of Elvis Presley`s `Heartbreak Hotel` that I only recognised mid song. `Poptical Illusion` numbers follow with the dreamy almost oriental tinged `Setting Fires` and `Davies and Wales` which the singer has said “There is such a melange of feelings packed into this song – his youth in Wales, his time in NYC and California – and I wanted to try and translate that time travel in a joyful, purposeful way.” A quite upbeat and reflective musing.
But the highlights of the homestretch for me were `Rosegarden Funeral of Sores` which was more familiar to me as it was covered by Goth post-punksters Bauhaus, `My Maria`, `Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night` the Dylan Marlais Thomas poem set to music, `Set Me Free` and the intensive `Frozen Warnings`. Newer tracks such as the pounding `Company Commander` and delicate `Out Your Window` were aired before the show closed with the entrancing `Villa Albani`.
The stage lights remained on and despite continual and sustained applause from the audience, the house lights came on and signalled the end of the night, which disappointed a fair few as it seemed pretty unnecessary and avoidable.
It was on reflection an immense, compelling, and potent performance with the backdrop screens adding an almost theatrical sense to the occasion. An engrossing night from an uncompromising artist that should be at the very least embraced if not treasured.
