Page 62 - Black Velvet Issue 95

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THE DARKNESS / BLACKFOOT GYPSIES – BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY, 09.12.17
There is a very appropriate line in the opening song in The Darkness’ set list tonight, ‘Open Fire’, “So I embrace the darkness, because it’s always
there”, and given that there were several years where rock was without the colour and character of the Lowestoft-based brigade we can only hope
they will always be there for many years to come because, based on this, there are a great number who have happily embraced them into their life.
Before Justin Hawkins and company hit the stage we enjoy the presence of Blackfoot Gypsies, hailing from Nashville and managing to achieve
something which is not that easy to do in this day which is not only bringing something a little different to their audience but also being very good at it.
It’s immediately easy to identify this bunch as quirky, their colourful attire alone is guaranteed to raise an eyebrow but in Ollie Dogg they have a band
member whose role is listed as purely playing the harmonica and when he trades this in for a bird whistle, things only get all the more interesting as
his contributions are not a side note but just as important as anyone else’s. Coupled with Zack Murphy’s mightily impressive ability to play drums and
shake his maracas at the same time and their short but sweet set is undeniably catchy and enjoyable in equal measures with songs like ‘Lying Through
Your Teeth’ and ‘I Had A Vision’ really standing out. What also stands out is the warmth and singing ability of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew Paige
whose talents sometimes make you think the band is a cross between a rock band and one you would find at a barn dance but, by his own admission,
they don’t have much time to share with us which is a pity because we don’t get to fully discover their characters, which are likely just as good as their
music.
There is no escaping who
the stars of the evening are
as from the second the
chimes of Abba’s ‘Arrival’ are
blasted over the PA The Dark-
ness are treated to a hero’s
reception. It’s not just the au-
dience who is pleased to see
them as they look as pleased
to see us in equal measures
and with the aforementioned
opening track ‘Open Fire’ they
hit the ground running, firing
on all cylinders, wasting no
time at all in planting things in
top gear and not backing off
until it is time to go home,
even the slower-paced ‘Love
Is Only A Feeling’ feels all the
more energised. The first
product of latest LP
‘Pinewood Smile’ is ‘Southern
Trains’ and this goes down an
absolute storm as does the
album’s maiden single ‘All the
Pretty Girls’ and ‘Solid Gold’
which is arguably their finest
work since their reunion and
is an absolute treat when per-
formed live. The surprise
though of the new additions to
the live set is ‘Japanese Pris-
oner Of Love’ which has the
honour of commencing the
three-song encore and on
stage it takes on a whole new
life compared to on the album
and is an excellent addition to
their CV.
There is even a rare treat
with ‘Makin Out’ from the
band’s ‘I Believe In A Thing
Called Love’ EP. It’s no sur-
prise that smash hit ‘I Believe
In A Thing Called Love’ has
the duty of wrapping up pro-
ceedings but not before The
Darkness get everyone in the
festive spirit with ‘Christmas
Time (Don’t Let The Bells
End)’, another high point of
the evening which is still
trumped by the curtain closer,
which ensures everyone
heads home believing in The
Darkness once again, al-
though it’s likely few ever did-
n’t.
YYYYY
Michael Coventry

Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
Photo By Shari Black Velvet

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