Date: 6th February
Venue: The Komedia
Town: Brighton
This Charming Man enters the fray to bring the Hamish Hawk experience to Brighton at The Komedia, touring his newest release Angel Numbers to a receptive crowd. Enter one very likeable budding Rockstar, indeed to be so popular with his fans you would hope will transform into huge sales but as we know being "likeable" doesn't always get you into the Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame. Does anyone in the Komedia care? Certainly not. This roguish eccentric just needs to be loved. Hamish early on praises the feeling in the room, "something in the air" he teases, the growing love for his poetic performances multiplying with each show.
Songs come thick and fast, mostly from the new record, delivered with expected sincerity and his unique footstepping expertise that together paint the pictures from Hamish's mind to his onlooking audience. Bridget St John slows the mood with it's honey paced gentleness, swaying with the crowd. Angel Numbers & Think of us kissing raise the tempo with a hint of 'Editors' early style, all played with the obvious belief in the music by the band.
An Announced brand new track You can film me is an immediate rush heading in a more rock territory dominated by guitar.
Desperately takes on a Midge Ure vocal tone pumping along with the bass, driving into windmill strummed chords by Andrew Pearson who is certainly producing rock poses between sumptuous playing.
Money comes with more audible crowd singing benefitting from the most airplay of any of Hamish's songs so far, regularly gracing the playlist on Radio 6. The volume definitely takes off with the next track Bakerloo, Unbecoming with it's unforgettable chorus "And they will dance the Gay Gordons at my funeral". No rest for the lyrical dancers as The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973 swiftly follows, surely one of the most unusual song titles in recent times.
All too soon Hamish applies the brakes to the evening and closes with the last two numbers: Thanks for sending me an angel & Caterpiller both played with added angst and venom. With that Hamish and his band exit the stage to rapturous applause, clearly currently the most loved person in the room. Feel the love and catch the show.
Andrew Pearson (guitars)
Stefan Maurice (drums)
Alex Duthie (bass)
John Cashman (keyboards)
Reviewed by D. Reddick
Photos by D. Reddick
