Madding Crowd, Bournemouth
Not three months ago we had the pleasure of Liverpool’s (current) finest in town, and now they are back to promote album number three. A decent-sized, mixed-age audience greet them tonight with a large contingent of fellow Scousers in the room! Opening up for them is singer/songwriter Ed Cosens. Ed is new to me, and no doubt most of this crowd. It’s a tough gig playing to 150 people, just one man and a guitar. He opens his set with “Lovers Blues”, which he delivers with heartfelt honesty. I feel for him because just one song in all you can hear is the chatter in the room above his vocal. Undeterred he continues with “If”, not a cover of the famous poem but yet another personal and honest number. The least this audience could do is pay him the courtesy of listening (or whispering)!
“On The Run” follows as Ed defiantly hits his stride while “Stay With Me” is somewhat ironic! “Madeleline” I’m guessing is personal, delivered with passion and confidence while set highlight “The River” garners decent applause. Undeterred Ed does the “big sell” and introduces his final song “Fortune Favours” with a back story and a borrowed Del Amitri riff and maybe, just maybe made one or two new fans. Such a shame that this audience couldn’t just show a little more respect to the artist – I wish him well.
At 9.15 prompt Liverpool’s finest stride onstage. With album number three under their belts and a “BOGOF” ticket show for the tour (courtesy of the Music Venue Trust) this sextet are ready for action. Tonight’s set leans heavily on the recent “How To Steal The World” LP, plus all the bangers. They open with “Night Calling” and this crowd respond. The perfect opener which just sets the mood and allows them to build their set. “Dorado” follows with its familiar trumpet intro which sees the first signs of movement in the room. Live favourite “TV Said So” gets an early airing tonight and sees the first bit of crowd/band interaction.
Fran (Lead vocals) is in a happy, playful mood as he cajoles and charms this crowd at various intervals during their set. “Ballerino” once again allows Joe (trumpet) free reign with the intro. The lyric “it’s time to move your feet” is a call to arms as this Madding Crowd (sic) come alive. Fran takes a minute to introduce the title track from the latest album by asking who has already bought it, while encouraging those who haven’t to attend the merchandise stall at the end! “Monaco” has that wonderfully laid back, breezy summery feel that puts this crowd at ease while the catchy “Vibrate” is as honest as it is heartfelt. On “Elevation” Fran highlights the talents of young Joe, as he takes the plaudits and opens the song. Mid-song sees the room hand-clapping in unison as crowd and band unite as one. “Come Back Anna Marie” is the penultimate track before a rip-roaring exit on “Honey” which sees this whole audience singing along – I swear there’s almost a mosh pit! The band take the rapturous plaudits and exit stage right.
I’m really pleased to not hear the “One More Song” calls tonight; this crowd are far more mature, opting to just shout for “More”! They don’t disappoint returning for a two-song encore. They give us a recent single “Love Me like You Wanna Be Loved” which once again sees crowd interaction, but it’s the final song that everyone is hollering for. But the “Hoo Ha’s” is quietly ignored in favour of a raucous “Angeline”. And for the last time, the band take the plaudits while encouraging us to ‘come say hello’ at the merchandise stand’
One has to admire how far Red Rum Club have come in such a short space of time. Three albums in and there’s no let-up. In their hometown, they are “Indie Royalty” but quietly winning over a legion of new fans countrywide. Having watched their trajectory since catching them on a small stage at the IOW Festival 2018, they have come a long way. On tonight’s evidence larger stages can’t be far away, and with six band members that may be more a necessity!
SetList
Red Rum Club
Night Calling
Dorado
TV Said So
Ballerino
How to steal the world
Monaco
Vibrate
The Elevation
Come Back, Anna Marie!
Honey
Encore
Love Me
Angeline
Ed Cosens
Lovers Blues
If
On The Run
Stay With Me
Madeleine
The River
Fortunes Favour
Videos
Links
https://www.facebook.com/RedRumClubBand
https://www.facebook.com/edcosensmusic
Review by Ross A. Ferrone
Media by David Chinery (Chinners).
