Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Reviews

Steve Mason Review

Nov 6, 2013
-
Posted by Phil Mason

As egalitarian – catholic even – as we are as a musical city, there are always going to be some acts that are somehow more Brighton than others. Amanda Palmer – whose divine commingling of politics and glam went down a storm earlier this year – is a perfect fit. The Levellers, likewise, not only made their home here, but even now remain avatars for anyone that’s ever wheedled a dog on a string down North Street or attended drum healing therapy.

Another artist who should probably count as an honourary Brightonian is ex-Beta Band member Steve Mason, who recently rocked up at Concorde2 to promote his ‘Monkey Minds In The Devil’s Time’ album. He is after all – the perennial Bragg aside – one of the few contemporary British musicians with the balls to wear his (apparently fairly militant) politics on his sleeve. His status as middle-aged-indie-icon-hoping-to-remain-relevant meanwhile also clearly chimes with a particular BTown demographic, with the evening’s crowd containing some of the oldest, beardiest, jumper-wearingist people I’ve ever seen at a gig.

The set began in crowd-pleasing style with a clutch of singles taken from his first two solo records, played one after the other. Of the three, which also included ‘Lost And Found’ and ‘Oh My Lord’, our pick would probably be the plaintive, folky ‘A Lot Of Love’. They all worked just fine though and provided a suitably grand opening while at the same time setting straight anyone expecting an evening of Beta Band soundalikes.

Audience warmed up, proceedings continued with more from ‘Monkey Minds…’, an album that, even without a Mercury nomination, still contains some of the best music of the year. While perhaps not quite capturing the nuance and groove of the record, the band still managed to pull off its more baroque moments such as ‘Seen It All Before’. The angry, government-baiting ‘Fire!’ meanwhile provided more poignancy than could probably have been expected on a cold Tuesday night in October. ‘Where do we go from here,’ he asks, before answering himself – with the kind of aimless provocation you can probably only get away with if you’re a rock musician – “stick ‘em in the fire!”

Steve Mason is one of the few post-Britpop acts still genuinely interesting enough to command your attention ten-odd years down the line. His songs are poignant, touching, subtle and smart; his live act’s a quietly seditious blast. He’s welcome back any time.

Concorde2, Tuesday 29th October 2013
Words by Phil Mason
Photos by Jon Southcoasting

Nov 6, 2013
Email
Phil Mason
Phil Mason is a journalist and occasional musician based in Brighton. He's been writing about music and film since 2000, during which time he's interviewed Wayne Coyne, Arthur Baker, Robbie Robertson, Karl Hyde, and Greg Dulli among many others. His enthusiasm for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and Current 93 can often make him quite difficult to be around. As well as writing for SOURCE he also contributes to PopMatters.
← PREVIOUS POST
Dylan Nyoukis, Unsung Hero No.47
NEXT POST →
Tamikrest Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

  • Nick Cave To Play Exclusive Brighton Show Next Summer
    Sep 15, 2025

    Nick Cave returns to Brighton next Summer for an exclusive show with The Bad Seeds in Preston Park.

  • Death Comes to Pemberley Review
    Sep 3, 2025

    Set six years after the marriage of Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, a murder on their estate takes this story into thriller territory.

  • The Lightning Thief Review
    Sep 1, 2025

    A high octane modern musical coming of age adventure about demi-god teens, complete with committed performances, stunning voices, and brilliantly inventive staging.

  • Betty Boo, Sunday 23rd November
    Sep 1, 2025

    The legendary Betty Boo is going on her first ever solo UK tour and you can catch her at The Green Door Store in November.

  • Mutations Festival 2025 Line Up Announcement
    Aug 28, 2025

    FORM are treating us to a Bonfire Weekend full of warm goodness, bangers and fireworks!

  • Pride And Prejudice Review
    Aug 27, 2025

    A beautifully realised adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s best loved books: giving us a grounded, real and hilarious retelling in perfect balance.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Steve Mason Review - Brighton Source