Cargo, Shoreditch, East London, UK
Lamb's secret gig, September 2001
A low-key return for Lamb who, since the release of their first record back in 1996, have toured and won over fans from all around the world.
To recap, Lamb = Andy Barlow and Louise Rhodes. Criminally, not hugely popular in their home country yet - they had a minor hit single back in 1997 with
"Gorecki" and another two years later with
"B Line" (along with a bizarre video that people who've seen it NEVER forget). Their popularity has spread through word of mouth and a few choice inclusions of their songs on various film soundtracks and compilations. But then, if you were here tonight then you knew all that anyway as it was attended mostly by fans who won free tickets through the official website :)
The band were due on stage at 9:00 but didn't actually play until 40 minutes later. They were well worth the wait though, kicking off with the title track from the new
"What Sound" album, followed rapidly by
"This Could be Heaven". I've never seen the band play live before so I had no idea what to expect - well, they ROCKED!! Andy is a born performer (oddly enough - though he spends most of the time hidden away at the back of the stage he completely overshadows poor Louise who's SUPPOSED to get all the attention as she's the singer!!) - he regularly came out front stage, shaking hands with the fans, strapping on a bongo for the aforementioned
"This Could Be Heaven", playing a drum machine on
"Small", he even dived into the crowd later on!! (they let him live ;)
Of course it goes without saying that Louise sang like an angel. But what were the new songs like? Having only heard some of them via the internet (and admittedly not being hugely impressed) I was completely won over after hearing them in their full glory - performed live just as they
should be heard. All the songs were from the new album - full set list as follows:
"What Sound"
"This Could Be Heaven"
"Sweet"
"Gabriel"
"Small"
"Sweetheart"
"One"
Then they were gone. Five minutes of the audience screaming for more and they were 'reluctantly' dragged back onstage for an encore - playing
"I Cry" before finishing with (of course) the classic
"Gorecki". Utterly beautiful. Can't wait for the album and the real tour :)
Many thanks to Andy, Lou and Gordon (their manager) for meeting me backstage afterwards (sorry if I came across as a bit starstruck ;) Thanks also to the State 51 Conspiracy and, most of all, Ziggy (voice coach) for introducing me. Also, cheers to Ben & Neil for the pint before Cargo - sorry I lost you at the gig!
review: Darren Whiting
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