Venue:
Cadogan Hall, Chelsea, London
Date: 27/05/2015
That was outstanding! I’ve seen Thea Gilmore, ooh, at least 15 times in the last decade and this may have been the best. Her new album is a strange beast which sprawls over 26 tracks, some new songs, some re-recordings of old favourites, including duets with fans ranging from Joan Baez to John Cooper Clarke. Happily this has given her license to dig deep into her back-catalogue for a thrilling set, from the brand new opening track Copper to the encore’s closer Inverigo, from 2001, whose hushed final notes were followed by a brief pause and then a thunderous standing ovation. This was the last gig of the tour and there was a jaunty, end-of-term air about the crew, in contrast with a polite and quiet Chelsea audience. Thea’s glorious voice somehow sat proud above a 7 piece band, and the rockier new songs, a bit muffled and over-produced on the CD if truth be told, were full and dynamic. That said, my favourites were the quieter moments where we could give Thea on the beautiful Cadogan stage the undivided attention she deserves.
The audience:
Polite and appreciative, largely couples with a high proportion of bald scalps and grey beards among the blokes.
It made me think..
If Thea Gilmore hasn’t produced the best British catalogue of songs in the 21st century then I’d like to know who has.
I am very fond of Thea Gilmore’s work, although I can’t play This Road in the car as I get all teary. I am not entirely averse to just looking at her for a while either, truth be told.
I was front row and centre last night, and must admit I found her stocking legs at eye height more than a little distracting during instrumental sections.
I love Thea, but missed this tour due to a holiday.
She’s fabulous in every way.
That is all.
I saw her a couple of years ago at a truly awful small venue in Bournemouth, where the bar staff carried on talking very loudly right through her set. Thea was fabulous, getting down off the stage at the end of the night, calling all the audience together to cluster around her, and sang a few impromptu songs without amplification. She was, as ever, brilliant.
Brilliant show. Many highlights and she had a cracking band including Robbie McIntosh and of course Mr Stonier. Good to see her selling so many tickets at Cadogan Hall. Sadly it’s highly unlikely that she will make it big now, though the fanbase does seem to be growing. Good support act too – Jo Rose – an acoustic Neil Young soundalike from Manchester.
Bugger. Robbie Mac you say? *bangs head against wall*