GiggingNI.com
Woodpigeon
With SUPPORT CANCELLED;
Arriving down to the gig at 8.30 (thinking I'd leave later since the doors were due at 8pm) we were greeted by a notice on the doors saying the gig would actually open at 9pm. It didn't. Bumping into the billed support, local lads Pocket Promise, we were informed of some gear issues which had led to Pocket Promise having to pull out. After leaving for a while and grabbing a coffee the doors were finally open at 10pm.
With an entire night of music to be provided, and a severe lack of support there was a danger having a disgruntled crowd on their hands. The Woodpigeon folks however, all being multi talented, switched and changed various times, tagging each other in and out of the stage. They improvised brilliantly playing favourite songs and pieces of music which proved to give the night a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. With the entire crowd sitting on stools, enjoying a quiet drink, Ive never seen such meditative focus on a stage at a gig. It not unlike your friends jamming in a cosy front room without a care in the world.
As nice as this all was, the room was filled with anticipation, believing the tempo would build when all the members joined on stage at the same time. And they eventually did, to a faint 'yeeooo' at the back, uncharacteristic of what was a very proper and somewhat stiff crowd. The band began playing with their array of instruments including a cello, violin, clarinet, ukulele, guitars and a lone floor tom ominously placed but rarely used to great impact. The sound and vocals, with sometimes as many as four backing vocalists, was pretty and soft, and the audience was instantly captivated by the beautiful melodies.
As the set went on we saw the introduction of their well known (if not long winded) song titles such as 'HOME AS A ROMANTICIZED CONCEPT WHERE EVERYONE LOVES YOU' as well as some very new songs and a delightful cover of 'LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME' by Abba. All the introduction of harmonicas, clarinets, egg shakers and drumsticks by various members did little however to hold my attention and the set maintained the same sound and look throughout. Don't get me wrong, the music was great, the beauty of it had me closing my eyes on various occasions, but this is my point - I was quite happy to close my eyes, In fact i would have been quite happy listening to the CD, the stage was of little interest, and the atmosphere reserved.
Some bands play songs which are bold statements, some play songs that are angry statements, some play songs that pour out emotion. With Woodpigeon, I didn't feel any bold statements, I'm not sure it was emotional either, he definitely wasn't angry. Perhaps their style of music conveys the simplicity of life, not the notable ups and downs, but the in-betweens. Life and what we say doesn't always have to be extreme or important, but we can at least give the 'normal' relevance by doing it beautifully and thoughtfully, like the music of Woodpigeon.
