Live and kicking
ROYAL CONCERT HALL
IT has been a long time since Bellowhead last performed live, but when the 11-strong ensemble took to the stage on Wednesday night at the Royal Concert Hall, it was as if they had never been away.
This tour is to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their fourth album, Broadside.
It was the band’s awesome 2012 follow-up to their 2010 breakthrough album Hedonism, which saw them make history when it became the highest-selling independently released folk album of all time.
From the opening chords of Byker Hill, it was clear that the band were really excited to be able to flex their incredible musical talent.
And, with Jon Boden leading from the front, their fusion of pure folk arrangements with anthemic guitars just served to show how talented this band really are.
Never remaining still for a minute, they made use of every inch of space available.
And with the opening half being fun, well rehearsed and packed with nuggets from Broadside – Byker Hill, 10,000 Miles Away, Old Dun Cow and Betsy Baker – they did everything that needed to be done to engage the crowd.
But by far the most poignant and memorable part of the evening was the tribute to the band’s recently deceased multi-instrumentalist Paul Sartin.
As his voice emerged from the PA for an unaccompanied first verse of Brisk Lad, the band joined in with a heart-rending six-part harmony and great instrumental backing that had the crowd reflecting on this solemn moment.
But the mayhem was quickly restored as The March Past, with its melodeon, brass section and strings created a cacophonous wall of sound, before Lillibelero, Roll Alabama, London Town and New York Girls all induced a mass crowd sing-along.
For the encore they launched themselves into Frog’s Legs And Dragon’s Teeth, that saw everyone on their feet in celebration of the return of a truly brilliant live band.