I’ve seen The Miserable Rich play as many times as almost any other band over the last 18 or so years, but this was only the second time in the last 12 after they had taken a hiatus between 2012 and 2024. The gig tonight, much like their return in 2024, was like welcoming back an old but familiar friend.
That doesn’t mean the band haven’t changed in that time, they’ve evolved. They now have drums, introduced for their 3rd album in 2011. Keyboards are more prominent, and violin player Mike Siddell is no longer party of the line-up. The electric guitar comes out on a couple of songs, and it is electric bass rather than the traditional double bass that is played throughout. I suspect the latter change is as much our of practicality as it is an aesthetic decision. The basic Miserable Rich sound is fully intact, and even when the instrumentation changes they retain their unmistakeable sound.
Singer James is a friendly and erudite host, an engaging presence and a warm one. In fact the whole evening feels like a musical hug, something very comforting about the songs they play. There has always been a dark edge to a lot of their songs, and some deep sadness in others. There is a lot of joy and hope in other songs in the set, and they never feel mawkish or maudlin. It is a very deft balance of light and shade.
The setlist is very well constructed, mixing songs from throughout their career and pacing the different themes and styles perfectly. There are new songs too, although the indication from the stage is that they are largely based on songs that members of the band have had for many years, some dating back to before The Miserable Rich were formed.
Perhaps the high-point of the performance is a rendition of Ringing The Changes. This tune from 2011 is one of their most listened to songs on streaming and you can hear why. The only song in the set to mix keyboards and cello, it also features one of James’s best vocal performances.
As has become tradition, the band finishes the night with an in-crowd acoustic rendition of Boat Song. There’s a fumbled introduction and a vocal error after 90 or so seconds before the song is abandoned, and the band start again and nail it second time around. You can watch a short video of the initial aborted version below. I failed to catch the full version but this gives a great sense of the mood.
The band are recording more songs, and hopefully a new record and live dates will transpire. Whether that be in two years or ten, I’ll be ready to welcome them back again.
Words and pictures by Dorian Rogers
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