I missed them in Brighton at the weekend, but got to see Austin folk-indie group Okkervil River last night at the intimate Borderline off Tottenham Court Road. Honestly, one of the best gigs I’ve been to in ages.
Opening act A.A. Bondy got things off to a promising start with his Dylan-esque bluesy folk – not exactly the most varied or uplifting stuff, but really good nevertheless. After his half-an-hour set, he came and stood next to us for the main attraction.
The only real downside to Okkervil River is the first impression they make: frontman Well Sheff looks a bit like a shambolically-coiffed Corky from More Is Nog ‘N Dag and the lead guitarist did an utterly convincing impersonation of a camped-up Fat Boy Slim. Or Ian Hislop, for our English readers. This was a bit disconcerting to begin with, but I got over my preconceptions quickly as they kicked things into top gear within seconds of greeting the sell-out crowd (which couldn’t have been bigger than 200).
The focus of the show was latest and critically acclaimed studio album The Stage Names, with songs like Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe, Unless It Kicks, Title Track and Black (off debut concept album Black Sheep Boy) getting things well fired up. They slowed things down towards the middle of the set with A Girl In Port, Black Sheep Boy and For Real, but finished off with a flourish and a four-song encore before finally leaving the stage at ten-thirty, dripping with sweat.
If you haven’t heard them before, do yourself a favour and get your hands on The Stage Names. Wonderful stuff.
I managed to squeeze a few videos out of my Nokia: quality’s not the hottest, but fuck it – not bad for a cellphone. The guy next to me was taking some awesome photographs with his point-and-click. Jerk. I felt like slapping him a few times.
Plus Ones
John Allyn Smith Sails (with a spot of Sloop John B)
Given that Okkervil River have recently performed alongside the likes of The Decemberists and the New Pornographers, seeing them in a venue like the Borderline was a real treat. They’ll be back in London on 11 November, but at the considerably larger Shepherds Bush Empire. If you’re in London, get on it.
Oh, the idiot singing over the band in the clips isn’t me. Mostly.