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Yesterday, the London Astoria and tonight Brighton’s more intimate setting of the Concorde 2.
The Clientele are opening for The Brian Jonestown Massacre and are equally at home in both places.
Powerful melodies capable of filling the grandiose space that is the Astoria and tunes subtle enough to float around the seaside venue without overbearing it.
Despite having three albums worth of material to delve into and a forthcoming Lp to start teasing us with, tonight calls for a shorter set. Actually seven beautiful songs short and this works to their advantage.
Whilst not on stage long enough to outstay their welcome, Alasdair, Mel, Mark and James have just the right amount of time to seduce, tease and leave the audience wanting more. |
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They open with ‘Since K Got Over Me’ from last year’s album ‘Strange Geometry’ which they will visit again with ‘My Own Face Inside The Trees’ and ‘E.M.P.T.Y’
Most appropriately and a real treat to BJM fans, the London quartet make the most of their American friends’ presence and welcome on stage guitarist Ricky Rene Maymi for a bout of electric tambura playing on a beautiful rendition of ‘Lamplight’, just as they did the previous night.
As expected we get an insight into their soon to be released fourth Lp with a couple of tracks, ‘Here Comes the Phantom’ and much talked about musical departure ‘Disco’.
Having recently joined the band, Mel Draisey, all blond hair and long limbs gives The Clientele that added touch of glamour. Sometimes behind a keyboard or shaking a tambourine but more often doing what she does best....playing the violin, giving the songs that extra helping of exquisiteness.
On the Astoria stage, wearing a white dress, she looked like an angel, but tonight and defying popular tales Mel looks equally angelic dressed in black.
Despite the cold November air and the sound of the waves violently crashing against the shore, The Clientele effortlessly manage to raise the temperature. Not in a crushing ‘heat wave’ fashion but more of ‘a soul warming’ embrace. Their tunes are the musical equivalent to a lie down on a Maldives beach, turquoise, warm ocean water gently lapping at your feet. Cocktails compulsory.
Not forgetting their debut album, 2000 ‘Suburban Light’ they end their set with ‘We Could Walk Together’ and then, together and too soon walk off stage...
Words and Pictures: Florence ACHERY
www.theclientele.co.uk
www.myspace.com/theclienteleofficial |
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