Miles Of Smiles Night @ St Pancras Church
June 05 2008 @ St Pancras Church, London.
Set amongst the hustle and bustle that is Euston Road sits the imposing building of St Pancras Parish Church. Outside is a melting pot of cars, scooters, commuters and most of all noise. Inside though is a scene of peaceful tranquillity, a sanctuary away from the madness of the London streets, and no better place to host tonight's Miles Of Smiles promoted event.
On tonight's bill are 4 sterling acts that are as disparate as they are folky; Adrian Crowley, David Thomas Broughton, Meg Baird and Vetiver. Adrian Crowley's set sees him supported for the most part by Emma Smith (violin) and Vince Sipprell (violin). Both are from the Elysian Quartet, but probably better known for their work with Adem and James Yorkston. Crowley's voice is a distinctive growl not a million miles away from Bill Callaghan, and it fills the whole church with tales of love, lightning, altar wine (very topical!) and 'Electric Eels'. 'Photographing Lightning Strikes' is an obvious highlight where his gently picked electric growls and gurns, whilst the strings swim in and out of key to give it a chilling edge and a cacophonous finale.
David Thomas Broughton is insane. No doubt about it. Throughout, he appears as if performing were a second thought. He nonchalantly strums his guitar here, knocks out a percussion on the mic stand there, throws things on the monitor, thumps his chest, plays a portable TV and generally generates a state of anarchy on the stage, whilst simultaneously emitting a gloriously, engrossing, looped, discordance. For his whole set you can't help but be captivated, wondering what would happen next. His voice couldn't be more at odds with Crowley's baritone throat, and befitted the choral setting of his performance beautifully. No more was this exemplified than when he harmonised with his own loops on the stage from the back of the church. However, the highlight, and I don't think I'll ever get a chance to say this again, was when he played a legs akimbo, ukulele solo form the upper most reaches of the churches pulpit! A must miss act on record but a must see live. Awesome!
Meg Baird could not be more different if she came from the planet Zog. Out of all the acts tonight, hers represents the most traditional interpretation of folk. For the next 30 minutes we are trapped in a time warp, so pass the brown acid and let’s get all '67 on yo ass. Her voice resonates through the church, whose acoustics make this one of the best sounding gigs I've been to in ages. Despite the prettiness of the songs and her winning smile, as she attempts to cover up a couple of dud notes, she is overshadowed by Mr. Broughton and his wily ways.
So on to the main course. Vetiver never fail to inspire and this occasion it's no different. They play a set mainly made up with material from their second album proper, 'To Find Me Gone'. Their sound is warm and breezy and you’re suddenly transported to west coast America in a Chevy with the roof down, until the police sirens outside bring reality back in with a thump. Ok, so don't expect any mental ukulele soloing but they're still entrancing. 'Idle Ties' demonstrates what a force Andy Cabic's voice is and could melt the hearts of even the meanest of shrews.
As with Crowley, they are accompanied by Emma and Vince adding a sublime 'Day In The Life' feel to the track. 'You May Be Blue' is the closest they get to breaking a sweat as it thumps along, invigorating the audience. 'I Know No Pardon' is again a platform for Cabic's voice but it is also a platform for some joyous harmonica from Sanders Trippe. 'Been So Long' makes you feel like you're being wrapped in cotton wool and, as with most of their songs, makes your heart skip several beats. It's left to the encore before any real interaction with the audience "I don't want anyone to get fined or anything." says Cabic - Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll it's not, but that kind of sums up the whole evening - peaceful, beautiful, thoughtful and endearing.