This
gig could go one way or the other; Starsailor are returning to the
live scene in preparation for the release of their much anticipated
second album 'Silence is Easy'.
They've taken the decision to debut their new material in front of
a crowd of competition winners in the intimate setting of ULU in Malet
Street.
It's been a while since the band were regulars on the UK's live music
scene - and a lot has changed.
| "There
is something refreshing about the natural way these guys tackle
music - the way they get up on stage wearing their hearts on
their sleeves." |
Rock and
roll has become, more, well rock and roll with The Libertines' drug
problems, The Darkness' stage gear and The Vines' attitude to trashing
their equipment. Even Chris Martin's behaviour is making headlines.
The question tonight is, can these four Wiganites impress us enough
to warrant us spending money on tickets to their tour?
I can
feel the anticipation build among the audience as more and more
people join the tightly-packed, sweat-drenched crowd.
The band take to the stage - and there are five of them. "It's
Mark from The Charlatans!", someone behind me gasps as
Mark Collins straps on his guitar.
stunning
energy
Wordlessly,
the band launch into future single 'Music was Saved'. Taken
from the forthcoming album, this energetic and catchy song gets
hundreds of heads bobbing, and acts as a sign of things to come.
The
band provide us with chart hits: the emotional 'Alcoholic',
the gentle 'Lullaby' and a pounding 'Poor Misguided Fool'
are all delivered with a stunning energy that proves how much they've
grown as a band since they were last here.
Even virtually unknown new songs are greeted with excited applause
and hand waving by the crowd, while 'Four to the Floor' sees
the audience bobbing to the first Starsailor song 'you can really
dance to', and a few lighters are raised skywards for the almost
spiritual 'Born Again'.
Mark Collins (who's "on loan while Tim Burgess does his
solo project") adds the talent but none of the ego you'd
expect from someone who's spent the last decade in one of the UK's
biggest bands.
delightfully
melodious
As the last chord reverberates around the venue, the stunning lights
that have been illuminating the stage all evening go out, and the
band depart.
 They
return after a few minutes for a two-song encore, the first being
the delightfully melodious 'Some of Us', a song that could
prove to be the key to open Starsailor up to a much wider audience.
There
is something refreshing about the natural way these guys tackle
music, the way they get up on stage wearing their hearts on their
sleeves with not so much as a lycra catsuit or the remains of a
smashed amplifier to make their show exciting.
The thing that makes Starsailor truly extraordinary is the honesty
they pour into their music, and the open and endearing way they
deal with their success.
This
comeback was well worth the wait - I hope to see you down the front
for the opening night of the forthcoming tour!
|
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