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Don’t ever go claiming that middle of the road, moisturised
Coldplayers like Starsailor don’t suffer for
their art. James Walsh literally took a shot up the
arse tonight, he informs us, in order to play this low-key
club comeback ahead of fourth album ‘All the Plans’
– OK, it was from a doctor and probably a smooth-talking
private practitioner at that, but his and the band’s
professionalism shouldn’t be mocked. We’re reminded
of how behind the Starsailor shop front (about as rebellious
and impactful as a BHS window display) there is a pair
of lungs like a ship’s sail driving a phenomenal voice
and a band pure enough of intention who don’t waste
their time chasing fashions for the sake of it and arty
abstractions that don’t suit them. Call them unadventurous
if you like, but they’re made of a firm mettle and deliver
a solid set that belies the impression they’ve earned
themselves
Back catalogue songs like ’Tie Up Your Hands’, ‘Silence
Is Easy’ and ‘Good Souls’ flood from the stage with
well worn emotion, perhaps aided by the intimacy of
the venue, but nonetheless massaging all the right pressure-points.
Lack of directional variations or changes of pitch mean
that things are weighing a little heavy by the end of
the set, but new songs like ‘Tell Me It’s Not Over’
(which may or may not be a plea to their fans in the
current climate) and ‘Stars & Stripes’ hold their own
and will probably settle in over time.
Verdict: Who wants to rock the boat anyway?
Not everybody can be, or indeed dress like, Lady Gaga.
Best In Show: Early single ‘Alcoholic’ still
tugs on the heart strings the hardest.
Download: New uber-Coldplay single ‘Tell Me
It’s Not Over’
Playlist companions: Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol
Upcoming shows:
26 Mar Glasgow ABC
27 Mar Manchester Ritz
28 Mar Sheffield Leadmill
30 Mar Liverpool Academy
31 Mar Leeds Met University
1 Apr Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
2 Apr Oxford Academy
4 Apr Portsmouth Pyramid
5 Apr Bristol Academy
7 Apr Cambridge Junction
8 Apr Norwich UEA
9 Apr London Shepherds Bush Empire
15 Apr Belfast The Spring & Airbrake
16 Apr Dublin The Academy
More London Luminaire shots
more info:
www.starsailor.net/
Photos & Report ~ James Berry for Crud Magazine
2009©
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