Seth got sweaty
Friday, July 21, 2006
A couple of years ago Laura and I watched a BBC programme on the Sidmouth Folk Festival. One of the musicians was filmed in the woods standing on a box, stamping his feet, singing, and playing the violin. This appeared prodigiously difficult but what was most impressive was that the singing was good and so was the song. Laura was even more impressed by the unashamedly masculine appearance of the singer. I was content to listen.
The man in question was Seth Lakeman. A week ago I received an email (presumably because I had signed up to receive such things earlier this year when I was trying and failing to get tickets for the Cambridge Folk Festival) from Seth's record company. It offered me the chance to win tickets for a performance in London in retirn for answering a simple question. I accepted the offer and won the tickets.
Last night, therefore, in a very rare outing for the Stewart spousal duo, we went to ULU and enjoyed a sweaty night in the company of Seth and his excellent band. The only down side was that the heat in the venue forced the band to curtail the number of encores. Laura was especially pleased to note that Seth's pumped biceps and short sleeved t-shirt look only enhanced the musical quality. I concentrated, of course, on the excellent guitar playing of his brother Sean, and the equally talented bass player and drummer.
To even things up, I enjoyed the support act more than Laura did.
The gig was in the students' union building, which took me back to my own student days and the gigs I used to attend. I'm pleased to report, however, that I was not the oldest person in the audience: there was a wide range of ages present, which strikes a hopeful note for the future of folk music in general in the UK.
All in all it was a good night. Good music, especially, but also a chance for Laura and I to get up to London and see a live gig for the first time in many years. And for free, too, which meant I was able to tell the bouncer I was on the guest list. I've always wanted to say that at the door going into a concert.
Here is a video of Seth's new single.
The man in question was Seth Lakeman. A week ago I received an email (presumably because I had signed up to receive such things earlier this year when I was trying and failing to get tickets for the Cambridge Folk Festival) from Seth's record company. It offered me the chance to win tickets for a performance in London in retirn for answering a simple question. I accepted the offer and won the tickets.
Last night, therefore, in a very rare outing for the Stewart spousal duo, we went to ULU and enjoyed a sweaty night in the company of Seth and his excellent band. The only down side was that the heat in the venue forced the band to curtail the number of encores. Laura was especially pleased to note that Seth's pumped biceps and short sleeved t-shirt look only enhanced the musical quality. I concentrated, of course, on the excellent guitar playing of his brother Sean, and the equally talented bass player and drummer.
To even things up, I enjoyed the support act more than Laura did.
The gig was in the students' union building, which took me back to my own student days and the gigs I used to attend. I'm pleased to report, however, that I was not the oldest person in the audience: there was a wide range of ages present, which strikes a hopeful note for the future of folk music in general in the UK.
All in all it was a good night. Good music, especially, but also a chance for Laura and I to get up to London and see a live gig for the first time in many years. And for free, too, which meant I was able to tell the bouncer I was on the guest list. I've always wanted to say that at the door going into a concert.
Here is a video of Seth's new single.
