Atmosphere. It’s important, and that’s why many artists have performed songs on the subject – Joy Division, Kaskade, Russ Abbott… Ahem. The atmosphere at a gig is almost as important as the performance itself and ambience can play a huge part in the experience. This is where the Floral Pavilion has disappointed in the past. It feels sterile – like the kind of place only attended under some kind of duress – school prize giving, sixth form poetry recitals and such.
Support was provided by Al Roberts, who made a feeble attempt to meld comedy with music and regrettably failed on both counts and did little to belie the fear that the gig might fall short of expectations. A shame, since effort had obviously been made to give the slot to a local artist. Mercifully the act concluded and the main man took to the stage amid the usual cat-calls and good natured banter that one has come to expect from a gig hosted by le Harper.
If there was anyone who could overcome the taint of pre-conceived venue notions, it was always going to be Nick. He’s a phenomenal powerhouse of a live act, possessing a formidable vocal range and impressive guitar playing skills that have always translated better in a live environment than on his recorded output. Opening with a chunky and powerful version of ‘Building our own Temple’ I breathed a sigh of relief. The light show was muted, there was dry ice and Nick was on superb form. Throwing in a few ballads, including a very touching song for his daughter – jarringly pre-ambled with a quick burst of a jokey improvised tune about bedroom tidiness, there was a definite focus on his mellower side (not a bad thing, as he really can do extraordinary things with his voice).
‘Riven’ is Nick’s latest album, released in October last year, and the gig was also an opportunity for us to hear a couple of tracks, including one belter of a number which took in a trip through the French countryside with a fossilised academic by way of an illicit moonlight trip up a bell tower to ring the bells. All of this built around a startling rumination on the physics of time. Naturally a well-timed joke about the ingestion of mind altering substances went down well here. ‘Jucy Fruit Girl’ was another highlight, a great story-song linking an inventory of discarded attic detritus and a teenaged kiss in a cupboard.
There were times when he could have comfortably segued comfortably into any Jeff Buckley song (as he frequently has in previous gigs), and there was even an opportunity to work in the passing of Tony Benn into ‘Evo’ – his tribute to the Bolivian activist and politician. The audience were actively encouraged to participate, offering song suggestions which Nick was happy to oblige and even taking trips to the bar to keep him in beer, with one resourceful punter managing to rustle up a pint after the bar closed at the disappointingly early time of 10 pm. The organic nature of the performance, tied together with intelligent and well constructed introductions, as well as his ability to wing it on the fly that ensures a devoted following of fans who love the unexpected twists frequently taken when spending a night in Nick’s company.
Time and family seem to have mellowed Mr Harper, but this is no criticism, and with impressive encore performances of ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ and a corking ‘By My Rocket’, taking him right down to the wire with the curfew, no-one could argue that middle age has left him soft and flabby.
Words and pictures by Lisa Pike
Related Posts
