Goldfrapp @ Birmingham Academy, 14th November 2010
On entering the venue for tonight’s show I notice how cold it is and unfortunately it doesn’t get any warmer when lone support act DJ ‘Retro Grade’ start playing. I saw these a month ago and they went down a storm, but tonight was an entirely different matter as small groups of people gathered, many of them talked amongst themselves for most of the 40 minute set. Only a small crowd at the front seemed to be paying any attention to lacklustre beats coming from the dim lit stage which a shame as I remember the 02 Academy dancing less than a month ago to the same beats.
A huge black curtain is removed and we get our first glimpse of the stage. A silver fabric structure that billows out dry ice from which the band arrive through wearing silver/ gold spandex outfits. Singer, Alison Goldfrapp, appears clad in black frayed jacket made of strips what look like old video tape that shimmer under the lights. She positions herself in front of the fans and the effect of her golden locks cascading behind is a dramatic sight.
The opener ‘ Crystalline Green’ is greeted with excitement and a quick ,“ Hello Birmingham,” from Alison and we’re into ‘You Never Know’ ‘Dreaming’ then the title track’ Head First’. It’s only when ‘Number 1’ starts that the crowd seem to get into a dancing mood and I notice for the first time how fantastic the band sound. Heavy bass lines pulsate through the speakers whilst synths soar all under the command of flamboyant Alison Goldfrapp who has an astonishing voice and to me is a natural show woman as she leans forward to the crowd and gestures to the skies with sheer elegance and grace.
When the full blooded drum and bass intro to ‘Ride A White Horse ‘is delivered like a knockout punch the crowd responded as this is a clear favourite. And just when you thought it was safe to get up off the canvas you’re hit with ‘Ohh La la’ too from which there is no recovering. This was the show-stopper to most of the audience at this point and a fantastic way to end the set.
The band return to the stage for the encore and proceed with to two slower tracks ‘Black Cherry’ and ‘Little Bird’ where Will Gregory’s violin playing is quite breath taking. There’s an old saying that goes, “ Always save the best until last.” This certainly’s the case when the extended intro to ‘Strict Machine’ gets the biggest roar of the night. This is pure sleaze disco infusing early Gary Numan and T-Rex and by far one of my favourite songs of the last ten years.
So, as I wait for the hairs on my neck to settle down after such a fantastic ending to a show that had all the glitz and glamour you’d come to expect from Goldfrapp, I spare a thought for those who have lost their lives in the two World wars on this Remembrance Day I feel somewhat guilty that I get to do this job.” No we shall never forget.”
Set list:
Crystalline Green
You Never Know
Dreaming
Headfirst
Number 1
Believer
Shiny + Warm
Train
Ride A White Horse
Ooh La La
…………………….
Black Cherry
Little Bird
Lovely Head
Strict Machine
Review and Photos – Ian Dunn