Official Secrets Act + Lady Rain @ The Barfly – 5th December 2008
A cold, wet, windy Friday night in Birmingham. On arrival upstairs at the Dragon Bar there are around 30 people waiting for tonight’s proceeding to start in a very cold Dragon Bar @ The Barfly. Thankfully that’s all about to change as locals boys Lady Rain take to the stage. It’s that cold lead singer Ced keeps his scarf and jacket on – a wise move as even under the stage lighting it must be cold up there for the time being.
They kick off with ‘Glad You Called’ followed by ‘Composure’ and ‘Sink So Low’. The sound is clean and muffle-free with textured layers from keyboard player Rob [who has since left the band]. As front man Ced belts out the words to ‘Police The Police’ his stature is cool, and has the rock voice to go with it – a trait every lead singer should have but sadly it’s not always the case
Having just recorded a live set for ITV local.com called ‘The New Grey Whistle Test’ to be broadcast in early 2009, Lady Rain close their set with ‘Walking On Your Own’; this will have audiences up and down the country singing along. There was no rain at this gig tonight, the sun came out and left the showers outside in the cold Birmingham air.
Next tonight’s headliner, Official Secrets Act. Having secured single of the week with Radio 1’s Zane Lowe the very same week I thought the venue would be packed out for the band’s first ever visit to Birmingham, but sadly no, the crowd has not improved at all. Sharp dressed men is the order of the evening. As with the previous band, all the members are smartly dressed, looking like they have been to an Oxford ball and got elegantly wasted. Bass player Lawrence James Diamond certainly shines in his evening shirt and Adam Ant- style face paint as he writhes around to ‘Mainstream’ then ‘Hold The Line’ and the wonderful’ Victoria’. ‘Girl From The BBC’ shows off Tom Charge Burke’s vocals way beyond his young years as he jumps around whilst strumming frantically on his guitar.
At one point in the set keyboard player and drummer swap over and one plays the other’s instrument for a bit of multi tasking that is testament to the talent of this band. Single of the week ‘So Tomorrow’ closes the set with singer Tom hanging upside down over the barriers whilst singing “So So Tomorrow“ – a befitting way to finish any set. The small crowd certainly appreciated this set, as did I, and judging by tonight’s performance the elegant sound of Official Secrets Act won’t be a secret for very much longer and that’s official.
Set List:
Mainstream
Hold The Line
Victoria
Girl From The BBC
Bloodsport
December
Little Birds
So Tomorrow
Review & Photos – Ian Dunn