For Folk's Sake » Florence & the Machine

Live: Florence and the Machine @ Somerset House, London

For Folk's Sake — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:40:11 +0000

It may be worth starting a consideration of this performance of Florence Welch and her Machine with reference to the end rather than the beginning: “This may be the last time you see us for a while, this is one of our last gigs in London because we’ve got to go away and make some new songs”.

This was an aside in between encores, but it was an important reminder that Florence is still singing and promoting her debut album, Lungs (which was released in time for last year’s festival circuit). Demand to see her live has been immense and, after four years of performing, the songs might be in danger of sounding old, however fresh the live show remains.

Somerset House is possibly the perfect setting for ethereal love songs of passion at their most extreme. Florence certainly suits the open air atmosphere and, wearing a free-flowing vintage dress, she struck a spectral figure on stage, opening with ‘Drumming’.

The last year in the public eye has clearly pushed Florence as a performer. Though commanding last year, she has added theatricality in the last twelve months with her movements, expressions and poses providing an additional narrative to her songs. ‘Rabbit Heart’ and ‘Dog Days’ are still the cornerstones of the Florence and the Machine show, but it remains her cover of ‘You’ve got the Love’ that prompts the most euphoric reaction.

The success of the last year hasn’t taken away Florence’s childish glee at being on stage; she took cheap thrills from commanding the crowd to jump to her beckoning during ‘Dog Days’ and revelled in having them in the palm of her hand. It is hard to fault the overall package, her stage presence is undeniable and her interaction has improved, but the desire to move onwards to new material is starting to show through.

Although the crowd at Somerset House felt more at ease during the tracks they knew, one new song, ‘Heavy in Your Arms’ was particularly well-received and should be a crowd-pleaser following its release. The next twelve months are not necessarily going to be easy and will prove critical in the career of Florence Welch as the troublesome second album has been the undoing of many a next-big-thing. I for one hope to be blown away another time and see her performing such amazing venues for many years to come.

Words and Pictures: Chris Gent

Live: Babe Shadow @ Hammersmith Apollo, London

For Folk's Sake — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:30:00 +0000

As I stood amongst the growing crowd in the opulent and massively-sized Hammersmith Apollo watching Babe Shadow take to the stage, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe about the place. Would The Babe Shadow, a small band from Kent, fit in within these walls? The crowd looked on curiousl:, they were an odd mix of middle-aged couples, shaven-headed geezers and young leather jacket-clad students.

The band launched confidently into their first song, with wonderful catchy guitar plucking, over sensitive drums that erupted as the song grew bigger. Lead singer Tom Cawte has a great and very unique-sounding voice, which at times filled the room spectacularly. I overheard an entertained audience member comparing them to the lights of Vampire Weekend,which is no bad thing. Though I would agree that the band share some similarities with Vampire Weekend, they are clearly doing their own thing and there is an inspiring uniqueness to their songs. Their last song, Sea Serpents, truly stood out. It’s a fabulous piece of musical creation, and was executed splendidly by the band. It went down brilliantly with the audience which had doubled by this point; the band exited the stage showered in whoops and cheers I even heard one fan on the balcony shouting for an encore.

I think this is definitely a band to watch. They are next playing at The Macbeth, London on the 19^th May for their Ep launch party

Words: Jenny Dowdell

Brian’s Mixtape #29: Parliament of Fowls

Brian — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:17:31 +0000

Safely installed in his cosy nest, Brian’s been musing on how great his winged neighbours are. Birds are a splendid bunch – lots of them sing (although admittedly with varying levels of success), some of them are darned attractive (Mr Peacock, we’re looking right at you) and some of them are just utterly fascinating conversationalists.

In summary, Brian feels that the avian world deserves some celebration, so this week’s mixtape is devoted to his fellow fowl, and it’s a bit of a stunner, if he does say so himself.

Here’s the tracklist, as if you needed convincing:

1. Florence and the Machine – Bird Song
2. Devendra Banhart – Owl Eyes
3. Neil Young – Beautiful Bluebird
4. Rachel Unthank and the Winterset – Blackbird
5. Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell – The Raven
6. A Hawk and a Handsaw – Salt Water
7. Simon and Garfunkel – Sparrow
8. Kristin Hersh – The Cuckoo
9. Alessi’s Ark – Hummingbird
10. Shearwater – Rooks
11. Elliott Smith – Ostrich and Chirping
12. Michael Jackson – Rockin’ Robin

For the Spotify Playlist, all you need do is click here: Brian’s Mixtape #29: Parliament of Fowls

Did Brian miss any stonking good songs about birds? Let us know below if so.

Our Spotify Inivtation amnesty continues – if you need one let us know and we’ll make a request of the ever-generous posse of FFS readers. Similarly, if you have any going spare let us know and we’ll give you the opportunity to do a good deed for a stranger, providing them with an lifetime’s supply of free music.

Have a flap around our mixtape section to find Brian’s previous efforts.

Brian’s Mixtape #26: Down In One

Brian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:06:04 +0000

I expect you’re wondering what Brian’s excuse is this time?

The silly old owl asked for your suggestions for drinking songs on his twitter @LordBrianWilson on Monday, then duly spent the day glugging acorn wine while listening to them. It was a ‘scientific test to determine their suitability for purpose’, he tells us.

Now we don’t, for a moment, wish to suggest that the average For Folk’s Sake reader is a terrible lush, but we did get an awful lot of replies to Brian’s request for song suggestions. So Brian’s consumption of acorn wine went on rather longer than he had anticipated and he ended up rather tired and emotional.

Brian spent yesterday mainly groaning, and was in no fit state to communicate with the outside world. But today, finally, here is a thoroughly chastised Brian’s 26th playlist entitled “Down In One”.

George Jones – White Lightning
The Magnetic Fields – Too Drunk to Dream
Nancy Sinatra – Summer Wine
Mary Gauthier – I Drink
The Leisure Society – We Were Wasted
Roger Miller – Chug-A-Lug
Florence + The Machine – Hurricane Drunk
The Broken Family Band – The Booze and The Drugs
Tunng – With Whiskey
The Divine Comedy – Gin Soaked Boy
Grantura – Hymn For A Drunk
Tom Waits – The Piano Has Been Drinking [Not Me]

Spotify: Brian’s Mixtape #26: Down In One

If you’ve not got yourself registered on Spotify have a look at their website to learn more. And, if you need an invite (so you can use Spotify for free) let uncle Brian know in the comments section below and he will bestow one on you.

Have a flap around our mixtape section to find Brian’s previous efforts.

For Folk's Sake » Florence & the Machine

Live: Florence and the Machine @ Somerset House, London

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Live: Babe Shadow @ Hammersmith Apollo, London

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Brian’s Mixtape #26: Down In One

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