To some artists, the City Varieties would be a venue to avoid; its arcane stylings and intimate surroundings make it a much more unconventional settings for music in Leeds. However, in certain circumstances the venue comes into its own. Tuesday night was one of these instances.
Bodixa, a Leeds-based act were on first. With their mix of acoustic lullabies and melodic harmonies, they came across like Beth Orton with a lot of easy-on-the-ear charm. They looked genuinely pleased to be performing, and appeared comfortable and relaxed with the audience. As first-hand recommendations are often the most valuable, the fact that the band were praised from staff who had heard their sound-check earlier in the day speaks volumes for the band. Bodixa's soft sound will quickly win many new fans of their countfrified folk-pop.
Roddy Frame reached the pinnacle of his fame and commercial success in the 1980s as founder of Aztec Camera, but is perhaps producing his most affecting work now. His last two albums, Surf and Under Western Skies feature mainly solo acoustic work. Tonight he was at his charismatic best, twirling around the stage unaccompanied and seemingly free of any expectations to revert to knocking out renditions his 80s classics. Joking with the audience and telling anecdotes, Frame delivered and emotive and varied section of his back catalogue. Songs such as Black Lucia, Crossing Newbury St and Reason For Living gathered the most enthusiasm as he upped the tempo and delivered some virtuoso playing. By the end the crowd were demanding more, and he looked delighted to be in his element while performing songs, that although not necessarily what the crowd had gone expecting and wanting to hear, but enraptured by his own enthusiasm and passion for his music.
Gig Date: Tuesday, 30th May 2006 | 404 page views.
