Sunday 9th November 2008 @ Thekla, Bristol
With Support From: Planet Earth, Sleeping States

If the idea of twee indie-folk with fiddle, banjo, beards and hand claps gives you the willies, then look away now. Unless you’ve been out of the country you couldn’t have escaped the incessantly catchy chart topper 5 Year’s Time. Tonight’s crowd have braved the cold and blustery weather to board the good ship for just that. In coming to Bristol, Planet Earth (not the best band name when searching for them on the net!) have apparently returned to their “spiritual home”. They’re a spectacle wearing family troupe with ditty little folk songs and expressionless faces: Nice, but nothing new.

Sleeping States are actually a Bristol band. Theirs is a set of two parts; drawn out experimental folk, followed by fast-paced two minute eruptions. Their best moments for me though is when everything is stripped back and we‘re able to really hear Markland’s voice.

Noah & the Whale (who it turns out took their name from director Noah Baumbach and his Anderson-produced The Squid and the Whale rather than a confused Sunday school teacher) arrive on stage to rapturous applause. Fortunately they’ve left their matching outfits at home.

It’s spritely and cheerful indie-folk but far more sophisticated than anything else we’ve heard this evening. It’s perhaps a bit of Jens Lekman and Sufjan Stevens on a happy day. When the brass kicks in I’m reminded of Beirut, although Noah’s artistic influences are far more UK based. Apart from one heckler, the crowd listen intently to each track. I think this is in part because of Charlie Fink’s deliciously rich vocals (and perhaps his pretty face). It’s nice to hear some live four part harmonies too; there’s just not enough in pop music!  The only thing that ruins tonight for me is the booming bass. Thekla sound man with big hair – please take note!!

5 Years Time and Shape Of My Heart are as popular live as on the radio. The older material has a more traditional feel and if there had been more space in the boat, I’m sure a few jigs would have erupted. To my surprise, out of nowhere, we’re treated with an epic rock finale! I’m not sure whether it really fits with the rest of the show, but the crowd seem to like it.

I’m next to fiddle player Tom’s very proud Auntie Bev. She seems extremely pleased with the gig – ok, so she may be a tad biased, but in this case, I have to agree with her. We’ve had a sing-along, a jig and the perfect pop song. Not bad for an evening’s entertainment.

www.noahandthewhale.com

Marianna
Photos: Paul O’Connor