Villagers - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 25/3/2010
by Anthony Strutt
published: 29 / 4 / 2010
intro
Anthony Strutt watches Irish group and recent Domino signings Villagers play an impressive and sold set of harmonic folk rock at show in support of Tindersticks at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London
Tonight Irish band Villagers, usually a five piece, are playing as a two piece consisting of vocalist Conor J. O'Brien and keyboardist Cormac Curran. They have both CDs and vinyl of their early Irish releases for sale, but have yet to release anything in the UK until their debut single, 'Becoming a Jackal', comes out three weeks later on Record Store Day on April 17th. They play a short and sweet set, which is mostly harmony based. Their songs are emotional and downbeat. At times they sound like the arrangements of Crosby, Stills and Nash and the early work of Prefab Sprout, while at others like they could have come form Neil Young's 'Harvest' album. Both the guys are good looking and only two song titles get announced, 'Set the Tigers Free' and 'Home'. It is a decent solid set, which pleased the crowd looking forward to miserablists and headliners Tindersticks.
Picture Gallery:-
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Interview (2011) |
Filmmaker Joel Gilbert has made three documentary films about Bob Dylan, and has also written a book about and has his own tribute band dedicated to the iconic singer-songwriter. Lisa Torem speaks to him about his latest film, 'Dylan Revealed' |
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At the Scala in London, Paul Waller watches recent Mercury Prize nominees Villagers play a triumphant set |
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reviews |
Becoming a Jackal (2010) |
Extraordinary and dizzying pop on stunning debut album from Irish act, Villagers |
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