Richard Hawley + Smoke Fairies

The Sage, Gateshead on Wed 14th Oct 2009

For anyone who hasn't been able to pay a visit to The Sage in Gateshead, it's a definite must; just ask anyone who's been. The walk along the Newcastle/Gateshead quayside leading up to only heightens the excitement for the music you're about to go and see, and on the night in question, I was very excited to be going to see, the legend, that is Richard Hawley.

The word 'legend' is often banded about all too easily, but Hawley's resume speaks for itself. The 42 year old, Sheffield born singer songwriter has previously been a member of Britpop act Longpigs and Pulp, and since 2001 has released six solo albums, all given high acclaim.

So much so that in 2006 when fellow Sheffield lads Arctic Monkeys won the Mercury Music Prize, lead singer Alex Turner declared "Someone call 999, Richard Hawley's been robbed..." after his fourth album, Coles Corner, was nominated.

Hawley is definitely a popular figure, and at The Sage he was very close to selling out, despite the £20 ticket price.

Opening proceedings on the night were a London female duo, named Smoke Fairies, who delivered a simply sublime set, one of the best I've seen for a while.

Their set was almost perfect, with a slow, start growing throughout the set to reach to an enormous climax. With elements of country, blues, and especially, folk, present in music, I find it a surprise that the band haven't really broken into the limelight, given the popularity that 'nu-folk' is receiving at the moment.

Songs such as 'Frozen Heart' and 'Living with Ghosts' were definite highlights, and whilst listening to them, I couldn't help but think that if they wanted too, these could quite easily turn into proper, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club style, rock n roll stompers. But it's their restraint from this that makes them sound fantastic, and they prove an excellent warm up to the main man.

Taking to the stage in a sea of smoke and dim light, Hawley, with traditional slicked back hair, looked like a true great.

Richard Hawley

His set was exactly as to be expected, fantastic, mixing new songs and dipping back into extensive catalogue. 'Open up Your Door', which now features on a popular ice cream advert proved very popular with the devoted fans, and 'Soldier On', dedicated to the British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing a stirring moment.

The definite highlight of the set for me was 'Coles Corner', which in the fantastic surroundings of The Sage sounded equally as impressive.

What added to the performance was the interaction between Hawley and the audience throughout much of the show, showing that he's not only a talented man, but also a likeable, humorous man, showing to me why he’s so popular after all these years.

Richard Hawley is still as relevant and important today as he ever has been, and he continues to write great music, as shown in his latest album, and live he continues to impress. For much of the audience, it wasn't the first time they'd seen him, and he continues to bring them back time after time.

Richard Hawley

article by: Anthony Hetherington

photos by: Anthony Hetherington

published: 16/10/2009 18:04



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