Review: Jeremy Warmsley's Heartbreak Ball, London
- Feb 19, 2009
All we were told to expect beforehand were balloons and cupcakes, but we were delivered much, much more with the basement of the Slaughtered Lamb in London proving the perfect setting for the Heartbreak Ball on February 15. From the sofas and antique lamps to the floral wallpaper and black painted ceiling, it felt more like a gathering of friends in a large living room than a gig.
To start the evening's events, the host, Jeremy Warmsley took to the stage with his new outfit, Little Words, to perform a series of Magnetic Fields' covers. They were followed by Hereford four-piece Gossamer Albatross, who played their dark, eerie, intelligently arranged folk/pop which was well received.
With A Classic Education unfortunately having to return to Italy at late notice, Edinburgh-born Stars of Sunday League were next up. Lead vocalist and guitarist Euan Robinson wasted no time in charming the audience with his funny anecdotes and great storytelling, entertaining the on-lookers between songs. The tracks I Still Love Football, Scotland Has Let Me Down and Harvey Milk were particular highlights and the softly-spoken Scottish acoustic-folk duo left a lasting impression. Keep an eye out for their debut EP, out soon.
Johnny Flynn followed Stars of Sunday League with a solo set, and despite not being in the most talkative of moods, he let his music do the talking for him. Making his way through some of the best songs off of the debut album, A Larum, the set list included The Wrote and the Writ, Brown Trout Blues and Tickle Me Pink. Playing without his band, the Sussex Wit, the sheer strength of his voice was clearer than ever and it also gave him the chance to improvise the music that accompanied it.
Alt-folkers Slow Club have been quiet for the past few months, busy recording for their yet untitled album to be released this July. Playing only their third show this year, they showed no signs of rustiness. Making as much noise as possible for the best known hits Me and You and Because We're Dead it wouldn't have been surprising if the basement ceiling had caved in. As their set neared the end they took a request from the audience, Let's Fall Back In Love, only fitting given the occasion, before discarding the makeshift stage and finishing the set amongst the crowd for their closing track Christmas TV.
As a perfect end to the evening's festivities, Jeremy Warmsley returned to the stage. Alternating between performing solo and with his band, Mr. Warmsley played some favourites from his back catalogue, in addition to a couple of new tracks, Turn It Around and another yet to be named. As the set neared its end he played 5 Verses skilfully segued into Bob Dylan's I Want You before If He Breaks Your Heart (an acoustic version of which is now available for free download from www.jeremywarmsley.com).
To finish, Jeremy suitably covered Bruce Springsteen's Hungry Heart and with it came an end to one of the most unique and enjoyable shows this year. The show was a real display of how versatile the UK folk scene is becoming and was, ultimately, enough to heal any broken heart.
