So last week we heard that Lene Lovich was playing upstairs in our local, as a long-time fan of eighties pop quirkiness, this was on a par with Flock of seagulls or the Thompson twins playing in next doors shed, we had to do it.
Lene was like an alternative slightly unkempt and deranged Kate Bush. In the early eighties we spent many an evening after chucking out time round at my mate’s house playing the likes of Lene, Crass, Velvet Underground, Marianne Faithful and Nick Drake. Lene’ s music fitted in seamlessly.
Tonight, the 76-year-old Lovich gave her all and the crowd loved her.
I did some investigations as to who was supporting. A band called Gospel apparently, a new name to me so I watched a very limited amount of footage on the aforesaid channel and was mightily impressed.
The Gospel
They hit the stage promptly at 7.30 and straight away you get an arresting visually intriguing sight, the band identically attired and with two formidable drummers positioned either side of enigmatic frontman, Jimmy Sweet.
Jimmy comes on like Nick Caves dad, all big gestures and mad biblical posturing. Instant fan alert!
The music is slow and remorseless (but in a good way) with the band offering up some great backing vocals, amongst their own material they drop in a couple of covers, Madonna’s Like prayer and a majestic take on Spiritualized. Lord, can you hear me!
Best support band I’ve seen for ages. Amen and out.
Words and pictures by John Haylock
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