As Source walks into the Dome, Thea Gilmore is getting everyone singing along to Bad Moon Rising in a highly convivial fashion. She jokes: “You can tell your at a Richard Hawley gig. Everyone sings in tune.” She then plays a song called ‘Rise’ which she tells us was written in the aftermath of the Brexit vote and Trump’s election. A stunning voice over simple guitar, she has everyone paying full attention.
We come back from the bar to find a ‘Welcome to Sheffield’ sign on stage. In the interests of full disclosure it is a sign this writer knows well having lived in Sheffield for 15 years, during which time Richard Hawley release ‘Late Night Final’ and ‘Coles Corner’ and his solo career took off.
The lights go down and Hawley’s regular backing band take to the stage.
The heavy ‘She Brings The Sunlight’ from ‘2012’s ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’ is a stunning start. A perfect heavy song from one of this writer’s favourite Hawley albums.
We are then treated to the rockabilly of ‘Two For His Heals’, which is the first track to be taken from his new album. Despite only being out on the week before, it is already a number five album he’s got people singing along. We are only just getting to know the record, but it’s a great intro.
“I was in a cab on the way to the venue, and I saw thing you don’t see every day. 100s of people on bikes with their kit off. Wouldn’t it be better if we all did that instead of blowing each other up for our religious similarities.” He chats away delivering a loveable mixture of observation, with dry humour and serous point.
‘Prism in Jeans’ drifts in like a Roy Orbison song on a wave of chirpy acoustic guitar before ‘Open Up Your Door’ hits an orchestral sweet spot and demonstrates the full beauty of his voice.
Just in case things were going to get to sweet, the track ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’ adds some nastier grit under blood red lights. It broods and it broods. A northern murder ballad to match anything Brighton’s favourite Australian Mr Cave has done. The climax is truly explosive.
The pattern of interspersing his prettier songs with the dirt and grit of others keeps the set dynamic and interesting. No element outstays its welcome.
‘Deep Space’ drifts in but keeps the energy going. It proves its worth as a banger.
‘Just Like The Rain’ from the Mercury Prize nominated ‘Cole’s Corner’, was he tells us was written on his 16th birthday. “Just goes to show. I was a miserable fucker even then.”
A little discussion about the election and the state of the Tory party, with some suitable swearing, leads into ‘Tonight the Streets Are Ours’. It is beautiful. A touch shmaltzy yet just on the right side of cheese.
The glitter balls come out for ‘Cole’s Corner’. He grabs the Welcome to Sheffield sign and proudly brandishes it at the front of the stage.
The atmosphere is joyful. Not all gigs get that. The final song ‘Heart of Oak’ gets perfectly Bruce Springsteen. As it draws to a close he shouts “Should we play some more? F*ck it!.” The song builds back up and gets a drawn out finale as Richard leans into his amps.
The stage empties, but thankfully the soundman tunes a guitar. They return for ‘In This City They Call You Love’, before the full band come back in for ‘Ladies Bridge’. ‘The Ocean’ then provides the encore with a simply stunning finish. It is so very very beautiful. Every single member of the sold out crowd is grinning from ear to ear after a night well spent in the company of a charming man.
Brighton Dome – 9th June
Words by Nick McAllister
Pictures by Jon Southcoasting
