05.29.07
It’s not for the cock, it’s for their worst gig ever (apparently)
Sky Larkin -Dot2Dot Festival - Nottingham - 27th May 2007
Sky Larkin is definitely a favourite of mine, and of the blog-team as a whole. Thus, it’s with a heavy heart and much dismay that I don’t give this gig the glowing review that a band of their calibre deserve. Thankfully, with such high expectations it doesn’t matter too much when they fall slightly short.
The three minstrels (I can only assume the fourth is watching the gear) walked onto stage and, without uttering a word, began to serenade the audience. We watch with glee as their distinctive sound wafts into our ears.
After their maiden song singer, Katie, introduced the band shortly and sweetly with “Hi, we’re Sky Larkin and we’re from Leeds”. She then explained that they had accidentally left their synth back home, a tragedy she later blames on pear cider. She jokes that we will later be able to brag about having attended the gig “where they forgot their synth and played B-sides and rarities” but you can hear a sigh of disappointment whisper through the crowd.
However, to my surprise I must confess, the next few songs were good. Sure, they didn’t hold up against Keepsakes or Somersault but it would be counter intuitive to expect it. I didn’t know many of them, and none of them well, but it wasn’t long before my head began to nod and I wasn’t alone.
The drummer, Nestor, provided a sideshow to the music with his fantastic array of facial expressions. It was entertainment in itself watching his face proceed through the myriad of facial gestures all succinctly expressing the apparent rage he had for his drumkit. I cannot say whether it was devised deliberately but if it was it was pure genius.
The set tumbled from one tune to another, punctuated by Katie’s frequent apologies for the lack of synth, and many a joke - some witty, some weak, plenty at Nestor’s expense. They played a new song, which I’m quite keen about and then finished with the only one of the night I could sing along to - One of Two. Here, master of bass, Doug, dropped his calm and collected look to energetically play air-synth. As an ex-member of the only air-band I know of, 80% Nitrogen, I can safely say he performed with prowess.
I opened by saying that this wouldn’t be the glowing review that the band should deserve and I can already hear you say that it was about as glowing as a Klaxons audience. Last time I saw them play it was with Los Campesinos! and I thought Sky Larkin’s show was better than the headliner’s (which is not easy to say when up against LC!). This time they weren’t as good, and I’d hoped they’d be better, so I felt let down. However, considering the absence of 1/4 of their instruments, they were outstanding. One of Two did feel like it was missing something, but had I not know it with its synt I think I’d have been impressed.
The gig wasn’t as good their previous, but it must say something that the gig, that they later confessed to us as being their worst ever, was so very enjoyable. Sunday night may not have demonstrated Sky Larkin’s full potential, but it certainly proved that they are flexible and can perform under pressure. These qualities can only be commended in entertainers of all profession.
Be sure to hit their Myspace and if you have opportunity to see them play don’t turn it down.
Brooke said,
May 29, 2007 at 11:29 pm
agreed.
not the best, but still fully enjoyable.
and as for the review, flawless as always.
and what happened to 80% Nitrogen?? They were mint. lolz.
G-town. said,
May 29, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Very good review, fair and balenced.
I thought it was a really good gig, especially, as you say, considering no synth and we all thought it was much better than they did.