GIG REVIEW: Gravenhurst
- Posted on October 31, 2007 12:59 PM
- 0 comments
Gravenhurst
The Luminaire, London
30th October 2007
Review by Katie Spain
Gravenhurst. What can I say? I’ve heard good things about this band and after an interview with frontman Nick Talbot, was intrigued by both the man behind the specs and by his music.
Audio-wise, this band has something I can’t quite put my finger on. Live, they bewildered me even more. Despite a few sound problems last night, Nick and his band wowed the sold out crowd at Kilburn’s Luminaire. If an overwhelming wave of musical mastery was what the punters were after, they certainly got it.
A Gravenhurst set is an emotional rollercoaster for the imagination. It’s a good thing my mind was Guinness lined and primed for the ride of its life. It came out bruised, battered and challenged… and I barely moved an inch. You certainly can’t say that of the ‘Mad Mouse’ and it’s more than I can say for a lot of gigs I see these days. Unfortunately, I can’t imagine ever singing along to a Gravenhurst tunes but if I ever decide to direct a strange Art House film, theirs will be the first door to soundtrack heaven I knock on.
When I asked Nick about his favourite tunes from their new album ‘The Western Lands’, he replied with a mixed bunch. “Songwise, maybe Trust. It’s probably the best traditionally structured pop song I’ve written. Sonically, She Dances or The Collector. I like the use of counterpoint and random sound bursts. Drumming wise, Grand Union Canal; classic Collingwood percussion.”
The crowd sure got the best of them last night. From our vantage point in the DJ booth we were treated to an uninterrupted view of the Bristol-based lads. People flanked the sides of the stage, mesmerised by the music. Heads bobbed and eyes glazed over as they lost themselves in their own North London ‘moments’. Gravenhurst make brave music – a cavalry of sound wreaking organised chaos on the ears. The fans love it.
Live under the Luminaire’s spinning disco ball, they were tight. Moments of instrument thrashing and guitar abuse were genius. Nick encored with a solo but was interrupted by yet more feedback. Yes, he looked pissed off but managed to recover and re-capture the moment. The man had an aura of intensity on stage that I didn’t pick up from the interview. A pair of ladies in the toilets echoed my thoughts. “He’s so different when he’s performing!”
You know what, I still can’t decide whether I loved or hated this gig… but it moved me nevertheless. In large doses, their music isn’t my cup of tea (but I drink herbal and find rice cakes appetising) so in the taste department, I have no authority. There may have been a lot of Guinness downed last night but at least I didn’t hit the cheese. God knows what mixed up Gravenhurst dreams I would have woken up from if I’d mixed the two.
As we made our exit, I walked out confused, bemused and thoughtful. Would I go out of my way to see them again? Probably not. Should you give them a shot? Definitely. Gravenhurst may just widen your musical horizons.
Were you there? Did Gravenhurst impress you? Post your reviews and random musings in our comments section.
Seatwave Gravenhurst interview
Gravenhursts's official site
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