TIM BOWNESS

VENUE Camden Dingwalls, london DATE 07/06/2019 SUPPORT Nick beggs, Amy Birks

How early is too early for a vigorous solo chapman stick workout of an evening (not a euphemism, folks)? 7.15pm on a Friday night seems a perfect time for the Mute God to display some 10-string dexterity to a crowd who cluster for a close-up ogle.

with around 35 years’ experience on the instrument, nick Beggs’ repertoire runs a gamut. “do you want nasty or nice?” he cries, letting the audience choose their own adventure. “nasty!” comes the answer, and Beggs hunches over to play a gnarly and techno-y roboslob (“it’s my smack My Bitch Up,” he says) followed by tava, something folky and tender. his warm-up slot might be clashing with coronation street but the prog festivities have begun in impressive style.

since leaping to the top of Best

Female Vocalist in the Prog readers’

Poll of 2018, amy Birks hasn’t been twiddling her opposable digits. her previous band, Beatrix Players, is now defunct, and her collaboration with violinist Maria Kroon on hold, so the singer-songwriter makes her live solo debut with a short-but-sweet five-song set accompanied by alan Baker on keys. Yes, she’s a little tense at the start – naturally! – but soon settles into the adagio sway of catherine, named after the wife of henry Viii (sir richard of wakeman would be proud). By Unlike the heart her tremulous contralto totally convinces, and climactic closer Jamaica inn is a powerful, Kate Bushlike telling of what will be her lead-off single from an upcoming album (and a dramatic, period-costume video for this is promised).

with co-conspirator steven wilson watching from the crowd, tonight tim Bowness brings a mix of his own material, no-Man songs and tunes from pre-no-Man-ers Plenty. the shimmering cosmic mizzle of only rain starts, and the wide-open post-rock americana of time travel in texas is an early highlight, benefiting from great house sound. earnest and breathy in performance, Bowness’ droll and selfdeprecating between-song chat is always a joy. Meanwhile, ‘Funkfingers’ John

Jowitt is on boisterous form, duelling with steve Bingham’s excellent violin on Leaving Me Behind. continuing on a steady diet of Japan, scott walker and Peter hammill, latest album Flowers at the scene is Bowness’ best work to date. Four tracks – three bringing Birks back to the stage, when she’s not having a calming pint – provide a centrepiece, not Married anymore underscoring Bowness’ gift for everyday melancholy. But it’s 2014’s the warm-Up Man Forever that still resonates, thunderous drumming beneath Michael Bearpark’s searing guitar attack providing every underdog with a champion sound. well, that’s bouquets all round, we say.