Wednesday 3rd March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol
With Support From: Sparrow And The Workshop

Tonight on board the good ship Thekla we are treated to a pairing of new and old in the shape of Idlewild and their chosen favourites to accompany them on their European tour, this being the very first night! Whilst the name Sparrow And The Workshop seems to follow the format favoured by most of the hit parade these days, their style and sensibilities do not. As the crowd falls silent, the trio meets us and two strong, sweet voices sing in harmony, soon joined by the loud crash of symbols and the thrum of the drum beat; we are introduced to the sound of this unique Scottish/American/Bristolian clash that states their style loud and clear.

A little mix of country, folk and indie works well as we are plunged deep within their soulful sounds, the tuneful songstresses strong and delightful voice anchoring the epic fills from a Scottish drum-meister. Instruments are stung and slashed with a heavy fist, interlocking a guttural and yet refined language of yelps and elongated words, and it is clear that every song has been thought out carefully, piece by aching piece. Whilst it is clear that these are not songs which you will be singing in the shower, lacking a certain catchy hook, the complex resonance of each and every note reverberates through the stunned crowd, sombre and yet joyful, as Sparrow And The Workshop take their final bow and exit stage left.

Sparrow And The Workshop define a sense of freedom and entrapment in their tunes and words, with lyrics capturing the flighty strength of every drum fill and guitar riff sung out. One beautiful sight was to see guitarist and singer swapping instruments throughout their set, truly capturing the fluid nature of these collected artists. And they sure are funny too! Plenty of witty banter here.

We are next treated to the Idlewild-ian course, a table set with the histories of a band which have been touring since the mid-nineties. As wonderful and as neat as they are always, I cannot help but feel their immaculate deliverance lacks a certain sense of fancy. That whilst the boys are comfortable with one another, they are loathe to step away from what feels right/their comfort zone. And why should they indeed? Instilling in many of the crowd a great sense of nostalgia, we are treated to Live In A Hiding Place, a song that screams within the relative calm, a tale of shattered truths and uncontrollable changes. Playing a selection box of old and new hits from a multitude of albums, Idlewild do not disappoint die hard fans and with an encore which concludes American English, a dreamy and satisfied crowd floats away into the night, sighing into the air, and beaded with the sweat of contentment.

www.idlewild.co.uk

www.myspace.com/sparrowandtheworkshop

Clementine Lloyd