Joiners, Southampton
Well, it has been a full seven years since Spector last graced this very stage. With a new album to promote and a sell-out crowd to entertain, Fred (Macpherson) and his new ensemble are in town and ready to roll. In a change to the bill Irish Folkers Brogeal are replaced by London artist/band “Beattie”; who take to this Joiners stage with little fuss, roadie their own equipment and take their places. Info is in short supply and their style is quite unique. Genre-wise I’m really searching so will go with Post/Indie.
Assuming Beattie is actually the singer’s name she delivers a strong, layered vocal throughout. Unique and unlike anything I am currently hearing, her harmonies are gentle on the ear. The drums/percussion are gentle throughout, allied to a keys and electric guitar symmetry that slowly elevates as they grow into their set. One song stuck out particularly, the heartfelt “Lucky” – delivered with real subtlety in a personal manner. I would struggle to make comparisons to any other band so I guess this is their strength. And while this is not a genre I especially favour, they really do have something. This partisan crowd may be here in good numbers for the headliners, but Beattie leave the stage to generous applause.
At bang on 9.10pm the current Spector line-up take to the stage. Fred (lead vocals/keys) is last on, resplendent in three quarter length coat and unrecognisable from his Clark Kent identikit phase! They open with the mesmerising “An American Warehouse in London” and proof if ever it was needed, the years have been kind to Fred’s voice as he owns the stage. The early part of the set is peppered with songs from their latest album “Here Come The Early Nights”, I’m guessing a reference to his forthcoming Fatherhood responsibilities?! “Driving Home For Halloween” is one of the standout cuts from the LP and sounds great.
“Another Life” follows as the band ease their way into the set. Fred takes his cue from an enthusiastic punter who has either seen the setlist or is a good guesser as he calls for “Untitled in D”. “I Won’t Wait” stays more up to date as Fred is now in his element, making occasional forays to the front of stage to engage with his fans. “Half Life” sees him bring his small keyboard into play, his layered vocals remaining strong throughout. “Funny Way of Showing It” brings the tempo right down but is not out of place. Before introducing “All of the World is Changing”, Fred acknowledges a fan who has ventured over from Canada (yes Canada) – she has taken in this date as well as London and she rightly gets a round of applause.
The band keep me guessing with “Catch You on The Way Back In” – it’s a far more electric intro and heavier than the polished keys-heavy version on the album, but no less effective. Nicolas (drums) powerhouse hitting is matched by Jed (guitars) who is chief shapeshifter. Jen (bass) offers backing vocals while holding a high line with her axe. “Twenty Nothing” sees the first real mini-mosh and keeps the Spector super-fans happy.
Prior to “Twenty Nothing” Fred spots an abandoned mobile phone and asks who the owner is? One exuberant punter enquires “is it a Broke Samsung Blue”? Cue a whole chorus of “broke Samsung blue, broke Samsung blue..” which the whole crowd join in on. Nicholas drives the beat morphing seamlessly into “Celestine” which sees this Joiners crowd go wild, punters young and old join the throng. “Never Have Before” is a welcome breath catcher and the perfect prelude to “Chevy Thunder”, which on tonight’s performance takes a rather unexpected twist. During the bridge Fred drops down from the stage into the pit area. The crowd respond by cowering down, giving the gig an in the round ambience. Fred then lowers his voice while slowing the vocal right down – stripping it back almost before creating a mash-up with “Never Fade Away”.
With everyone now involved “Chevy Thunder” returns to full speed with Fred in the pit. It really is a sight to behold and a fitting tribute to (arguably) their finest song. Penultimate song “The Notion” strips everything back once more as Fred’s layered tones gravity through the room. They end the set perfectly with “All The Sad Young Men” which is as euphoric as a gig in an intimate venue can get – I swear every person in the room is singing in unison. Fred grabs his coat and the band take a bow.
If ever proof were needed that just songs alone can bring people together in such a way it was tonight. Seven years since Spector last graced this very stage and they are welcomed back by a sell-out, enthusiastic crowd of young and old disciples. I said it last time and I’ll say it again, why aren’t Spector playing to bigger audiences? Then again, while there is crowd/band intimacy like tonight then clearly there’s no need to change a winning formula. I just hope they don’t leave it so long next time.
Fred happily comes down post/show for pictures and signings as we indulge ourselves one last time.
Set List
Spector
An American Warehouse in London
Driving Home For Halloween
Another Life
Untitled in D
I Won’t Wait
Half Life
Funny Way Of Showing It
All of the World is Changing
Catch You On The Way Back In
Twenty Nothing
Celestine
Wild Guess
Never Have Before
Chevy Thunder
The Notion
All the Sad Young Men
Videos
Links
https://www.spector.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/beattiemusic1
Words by Ross A. Ferrone
Pictures & Media by David Chinery (Chinners)
