Artist - Hamish Hawk

Venue - Staggeringly Good Brewery

Town - Portsmouth UK

Date - 21st August 2024

A fairly new method of Album promotion has been in practice for a few years now, that is to perform an "instore" or "outstore" show in association with a record shop on or close to an album release date. It is certainly successful for artists pursuing a strong chart showing when releasing their latest album for it’s first week. This is a benefit not only financially but will produce press coverage and the possible airplay then produced.

 So to Hamish Hawk who has been to many of the Record Retailers who are the main exponents of this modern album launch method around the UK. On wed 21st he and his band also named Hamish Hawk arrived in Portsmouth after an earlier visit along the coast in Southampton. Hawk was at the independent record shop Pie & Vinyl for a signing before moving a short distance for an evening Album Launch at a lovely small venue, The Staggeringly Good Brewery.

 Hidden away next to the home of Football in Portsmouth, Fratton Park, this industrial looking site sold the produce of said brewery from their Tap room before the commencement of the show. I could review the beers, ciders and IPA’s but I think that may be heading a bit far off topic, suffice to say it is worth a visit if you are in the area.

 A Firmer Hand is the new album that we are here to hear, this came out on the 16th August so has had a few days to be digested and consumed before Hamish stood on stage. This is the fourth Album release including Aznavour from way back in 2014. You might say that A Firmer Hand is part three of a trilogy that commenced with Heavy Elevator, the latest delving deeper into the literary mind of it’s creator, both musically and lyrically teasing the listener to drop everything and dive into the pool of each track, while holding your breath before surfacing back into blinking daylight. there is a masterful use of every word and syllable, this is nothing hew as we already know Hamish’s craft; it is just being refined with time.

 Hawk isn’t working alone on this as he has his two colleagues concentrating on the musical side and delivery. Andrew Pearson on guitar and Stefan Maurice on drums provide the musical ideas thus leaving Hamish to concentrate on the message. On this new album Hawk has admitted himself that he has pushed the boundaries and limits on the lyrical content of these latest songs, particularly the open release of his thoughts and feelings that he may not have been so brave to have done before.

 On stage the soul searching and darkness lurking within some of his songs is juxtaposed against his charismatic personable public character. With his soft Edinburgh lilt, he produces an instantly likeable character throughout the performance with light hearted to and fro between the audience.

 Ten songs were performed with the first five coming from A Firmer Hand, including the lead single "Men Like Wire" which bursts into being with an intro reminiscent of "The Only Ones". Hawk hits us with some unbeatable lines, at the top of his game now, "An uncanny Frankie Valli" bringing a smirk or smile to most in attendance.

The next five are songs we all know ending with two reliable friends "Bakerloo, Unbecoming" and The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973. Then it is farewell and we can return to peruse the mighty craft beer selection available... not a bad night