MALCOLM MIDDLETON @ NIGHT & DAY 6 APRIL 2008

After seeing Malcolm before (here and here) knew what to expect but forgot just how good this would be. Malcolm claimed that the evening would be "indifferent" but he was just plain wrong.

Performing seated with acoustic guitar accompanied by Stevie on double bass and Jenny on violin/backing vocals (no fancy equipment changes here), he played songs from all four albums, a B-side or two plus several new ones. Including "Red Travelling Socks" (Bright-Eyes-meets-Billy-Bragg?) that he claims "should mark a new turn in my career"

I much prefer this setting for Malcolm's songs that the polished full-band production on parts of A Brighter Beat and Into The Woods. And the final songs played solo - especially Choir and Devil and The Angel were just heart-breakingly good. For someone so self-deprecating and almost at unease with the notion of performing, he puts on a bloody good show.

And managed to pick up a copy of the web/gig only release Live At The Bush Hall and get it signed too.
All in all an excellent evening - suitably aided by Night and Day's new Polish beer of choice Tyskie

The set-list (with a couple of omissions and guesses at titles for new songs):

A Brighter Beat
Fuck It I Love You
Week Off
Follow Robin Down
Blue Plastic Bags
We're All Going To Die
Pick Me Up
Shadows
The Loneliest Night Of My Life Came Calling
Point of Life
Toasting The Bad Times?
Stay
Red Travelling Socks
Somebody Loves You

------
Total Belief
(another one here?)

Choir
The Devil and The Angel

Several acoustic demos available to download from Malcolm's website here - you're life will be better for it.

A NEW HEART

Malcolm Middleton
Into The Woods [BUY]

DEVIL AND THE ANGEL

Malcolm Middleton

Live At The Bush Hall [BUY]

Support was from De Rosa who performed as a two-piece (guitar/vocals plus electric piano) - definitely worth investigating.

HATTONRIGG PIT DISASTER
De Rosa

Mend [BUY]