That
I Am Kloot lead singer John Bramwell spent time busking around the
world should come as no surprise to anyone who has witnessed his
particular brand of stage repartee.
From the moment he walked onto the Empire's stage, he began his
trademark banter with the crowd, asking for song requests and giving
out wicked but gentle put downs in return.
"The
move away from their acoustic sound has given extra depth to
their songs and an added dimension to their live performance..." |
And
the crowd - made up of loyal followers in the main - lapped it up.
Along
with Turin Brakes, I Am Kloot were hailed as the new acoustic movement's
leading stars following the release of their stunning debut, Natural
History.
Their
widely predicted rise failed to materialise, but pop's momentary
loss is most definitely live music's gain.
crowd-pleaser
Over
the past few years the Mancunian trio have slowly and surely made
their way up the pecking order on London's live circuit.
And this extra experience coupled with Bramwell's evident knack
for writing a crowd-pleaser has certainly paid dividends.
I Am
Kloot kicked off with the savagely dark Twist, which contains
the now infamous lyric "There's blood on your legs, I love
you."
This
was followed by A Strange Arrangement Of Colour and an
impassioned From Your Favourite Sky, both from their eponymously-titled
new long player.
The
band's move away from their acoustic sound has given extra depth
to their songs and an added dimension to their live performance.
old favourites
Live,
they've always been about Bramwell's charisma but the new direction
now highlights Peter Jobson and Andy Hargreaves' essential contributions.
The new album had only been out for three weeks prior to this gig,
but such is Bramwell's ability with a tune that they all sounded
like old favourites - 3 Feet Tall and Not A Reasonable
Man sitting perfectly well alongside 86 TV's and Because.
But it wasn't until the second half that the band let rip, belting
out an aptly brooding version of Storm Warning, a lovelorn
To You, and a heart-stirringly beautiful Proof.
I Am Kloot have been on the brink of greatness for a good while
now - if they carry on like this it should be assured.
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