Gig: Beggars + Josh Weller at The Macbeth, London
We get to this little pub/gallery/venue in Hoxton just before 9pm, expecting the first act Josh Weller on fairly soon. As it happened we needn’t have rushed to the bar because it was well over an hour before his musicians arrived and he got near the stage.
This afforded us time to chat to Berkshire connection Beggars who seemed relaxed about a year ahead that will include numerous tours, singles and an album release.
Their attitude is fitting with the vibe of the place, an oblong room, with toilets either side of small stage, people are drinking and chatting in small groups - almost oblivious to the fact there is a gig about to happen. Were it not for a sound system that looked deceptively good, I’d have been wondering if we were in the right place too.
A few minutes later Josh Weller jumps up and starts to play. The songs have a light poetic feel to them and recent single ‘Pretty Girls’ floats over you like a warm late spring day “Pretty girls are never nice are because they’ve been pretty all their life...”
Some nice off beat, quirky tales, put to harmony and music are listened to intently by the Friday night crowd, their attention now firmly on the gig! The set seems to end much sooner than expected and we’re left saying we must catch him again.
After a short break Beggars start with current single ‘The Future'. They blast through a 30 minute set sounding well rehearsed and ready for their tour with Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong.
‘You and Me’ and ‘Someday too Soon’ are favourites on the night, both are quite simple, retro radio friendly tunes which have plenty of harmonies and vocal layers.
You can hear the product of having deconstructed and reconstructed the tracks in the studio and it makes for a robust, if commercial sound.
Whether the record buying public are hungry for Beggars sound remains to be seen, but for now they seem to be enjoying the process of finding out.
Jim Bowes
Related links
Josh Weller is currently supporting the Maccabees and playing various solo dates. Beggars are on tour with Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong.
Add a comment (click to open or close form)
Add a comment