Weekend gigs: B-Jaxx and BDB

Badly Drawn Boy
Royal Festival Hall, London
07 August 2004

Badly Drawn Boy’s two shows at Royal Festival Hall, the venue where some sort of series of concerts appear to be a weekly happening [man!], brought the Brian Wilson-inspired gigs to a spectacular end. But, to be honest, just emphasising one aspect of Damon Gough’s work is utterly unjust.

The singer/songwriters’ influences are much further and wider but at times they appear too traditional… It’s like the man is turning into a Hugh Grant of pop and it would be nice to see him freak out, let the dark side surface and do some aural damage. As much as BDB’s songs are beautiful, it is a fair bit too polite.

The performance is strangely static without showmanship on display and melodies rule the evening. His ‘return to form’ on the current album ‘One Plus One Is One’ is fine but without looking forward we sort of keep re-discovering… status quo.

The former Mercury Music Prize winner [for his debut album ‘Hour of the Bewilderbeast’] finds himself in a strange position that he is loved but hits are not as easy to come by anymore. Still, that certainly doesn’t affect the quality of his music.
*

Basement Jaxx
Somerset House, London
06 August 2004

Although seen just a few months back - we can’t but be impressed with this twosome and a host of vocalists. Within the splendorous courtyard of the 18 century architectural marble their sweet funk sounded even better. It is fresh - and not a stuffy theatre sans air-con! - and that adds greatly to the enjoyment. [Probably the best venue during this summer’s periodic heatwaves.]

Felix Buxton is commanding the background, jumping about madly whilst twiddling the knobs and controls to the heart of being, pumping beats like Prince was gonna stroll onstage for a jam; Simon Ratcliffe is strumming and strutting the axe in front to create an irresistible mix… Explosion in sound and vision and… [some, surely] - dream climax.

People talk about landmark gigs - Dylan going ‘electric’, The Beatles at The Cavern, The Sex Pistols at St. Martin’s Lane, The Clash at Hammersmith Palais, Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ tour… Add to that Basement Jaxx‘s show tonight, augmented by Dizzee Rascal and Lisa Kekaula, for what it is - another unforgettable spectacle!