Tuesday 28^th October 2008 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
With Support From: Eugene McGuinness

Walking through the freezing sleet on a bleak Tuesday night, I was almost overwhelmed by the urge to return home and barricade myself indoors with a cup of tea and a Whispa. The only thing that kept me going were the two tickets burning in my pocket to see Goldfrapp at the Colston Hall.

As we ascended to the dizzy heights of our balcony seats, I was surprised to see the immense diversity of the audience - not just early thirties couples with Goldfrapp on their dinner party playlists, but middle-aged women and families with young children. This was unexpected.

The Hall sat up in their seats as the first act, Eugene McGuinness, took to the stage. Coming on like Alex Turner minus the Monkeys, the one man and his guitar played engaging, lyrically clever stories and was well received; however, everyone was here for the main event. To a now packed Hall, a six piece, all in white band took to the instrument strewn stage, backed with muted bunting. The crowd burst into applause as Alison Goldfrapp arrived - a barefooted, tousle haired nymph in peach silk and pom-poms.

Lit like a screen goddess, Alison’s voice was stunning; note perfect with huge range and a gorgeous, hypnotising quality. As the band worked through the set, the perfectly co-ordinated visuals, lights and music lulled you into a trance. The multi-instrumented performers created a cinematic wall of sound rendering of the latest album Seventh Trees, perfectly complemented by the dramatic lighting.

When the ‘Frapp broke out Ooh La La’s danceable glam rock, the crowd seemed to awaken from their (albeit luxurious) coma and a yearning for more pacey Black Cherry material was being yelled out.

After several more upbeat numbers the band headed off to great applause and immediate demands for an encore. After what was much too long a wait, the band returned but second song in it all went a bit askew. After a long, uncomfortable silence Alison told the crowd that the keyboards had stopped working. Now, I understand that with such an exacting, precise show, losing an integral part of the performance is not good but for a band that’s been around for so long and with seven clearly very talented musicians on the stage, they did not make the best of the plentiful (and quite helpful) suggestions from the audience. I was quite frankly disappointed that the best the mesmerising, ethereal lead singer could come up with was; “Oh fuck”.

Eventually, after much whispering they concluded with a gorgeous rendition of Clowns but some of the magic was gone. It was a fantastic, wonderfully put together performance but whilst they’re still leading with their new material, I’d suggest a seat, not standing and for Miss Goldfrapp to maintain the perfect fantasy, not revealing the mundane reality behind her stage persona.

www.goldfrapp.com

Morgan Matthews
Photos: www.ianbradleyphotography.com