Mark Lanegan @ Birmingham HMV Institute – 12th March 2012

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Tonight’s show has been moved from the smaller venue of the Library in to the Main Room at the Institute which shows the publicity that the Mark Lanegan Band’s latest offering, Blues Funeral, has received since its release in February. As you enter the room, the lighting has been kept at a subdued level, which suitably sets the scene for the evening’s events.

First on stage is the Belgian band, Creature with the Atom Brain, which is no surprise as lead singer and guitarist Aldo Struyf played on Lanegan’s Bubblegum album and Mark has provided guest vocals on their 2008 album, I am the Golden Gate Bridge. CWTAB enter the stage in a subdued manner and unleash a heaviness that is reminiscent of Masters of Reality. A continuous bass riff with a distinct groove, which is often replicated by the rhythm guitar, provides a depth that allows the lead guitar the freedom to play with a contrasting yet complementary melody. The result being an intriguing band to listen to, and they certainly have the majority of the audience’s attention. The vocals are often sparse and at times have a quality of Ride’s Mark Gardner about them, yet, when required, this Indie trait is swamped by a darker vocal that enhances the instrumentation. Each song is a well-constructed experiment, CWATB play skilfully using dynamics and tempo to create some of the most adept psychedelic rock I have heard in a while.

Lanegan and his band stroll on to rapturous applause, with minimal acknowledgment of the audience, they start with Can’t Come Down. Mark Lanegan was classed as a “serial collaborator” by The Sunday Times due to his work with Queens of the Stone Age, Soulsavers, Isobel Campbell, Twilight Singers, Gutter Twins, to name but a few. However, this label does Lanegan a grave disservice as he is been producing solo albums since 1991 without mentioning his work as lead vocalist for Screaming Trees. Yet, within seconds of him opening his mouth, you can see why so many artists want to work with him. His vocal style and range is unique; encapsulating the low gravelly tones of a young Tom Waits yet with a far smoother essence that is strangely soothing and can enhance a variety of musical genres. The hypnotic driving drums introduce the start of The Gravedigger’s Song, which moves seamlessly into the lazier beat of Sleep With Me. There is no backdrop and the lighting on stage remains a shimmering mix of blue and red throughout the set, yet all eyes are firmly fixed on the solitary singer who barely moves, just grasps his microphone with both hands and pours out utter emotion. The tempo increases slightly for Hit the City, which does miss the backing vocals of PJ Harvey, despite the bassist giving his best efforts.

As the set progresses, including the sinister Wedding Dress, pensive One Hundred Days and forceful Riot in my House, I am fully mesmerised by the beautiful and gritty music that is flowing throughout the venue, reminding me why, for the last twenty years, I have turned to Lanegan’s work in both the darkest and joyous of times. After just over an hour’s worth of exquisite and gut-wrenching delicate sound, the set draws to a close with Ode to Sad Disco. Admittedly, not my favourite song from the album possibly due to the beat or its positioning on the record, yet, with a live band it has more weight and it is certainly very popular with the audience, however, I do wonder if it is wholly sincere on Lanegan’s behalf. Exiting the stage for a brief moment, the band return with a trio of Pendulum, Harborview Hospital and Methamphetamine Blues that epitomise the change of tempo and emotion that has been played out throughout the gig.

Last time I reviewed Lanegan, he was playing an acoustic set at the Slade Rooms and I ended by selfishly celebrating that he had so far failed to truly register with the masses so I still got to see him perform in intimate venues with a fully appreciative audience. It still makes no sense to me that it has taken so long for such a talented and prolific artist to be playing to a larger crowd; yet, he still manages to shrink the room and make the performance feel very personal. You have to see Mark Lanegan live for yourself to truly appreciate the power of his music, and I am yet to see a poor performance but every time it is an emotional journey, one worth taking.

Review – Toni Woodward
Photos – Katja Ogrin

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1 thought on “Mark Lanegan @ Birmingham HMV Institute – 12th March 2012

  1. Great review which summed up the evening well, but I wasn’t in awe of him, and after the albums even a tad disappointed live.

    Saying that, Creature with the atom brain were amazing.

    Great merchandise, which he was signing afterwards, but the venue charging £2.30 for a bottle of water are nothing short of robbers! At least Dick Turpin wore a mask!!

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