Bristol Academy 05/12/07

First up tonight is Jens Lekman, who to be honest, before tonight I thought was the current Arsenal goal keeper, turns out he’s actually a Swedish guitar toting songsmith supporting Josh Rouse on his current European tour. As per usual with support acts a lot of the crowd talked noisily all the way through his set, rudely not taking the time to listen to what turns out are some cracking songs of love and life from Jens and his bongo smashing partner in crime who’s name escapes me I’m afraid. Jens finishes his set with help from a backing tape which disastrously cuts out half way through, a roadie appears, re-instates the tape but by this point Jens has had it with technology and stops the tape, unplugs his acoustic and steps right to the front of the stage to sing to the few who are actually paying attention, with no added amplification.  It was quite a moment and Jens Lekman now has a few new fans I imagine.

By all accounts this has been a tough European jaunt for Josh Rouse. Suffering from a nasty bout of gastro style stomach trouble for the past week or so he’s barely eaten and when he has its usually come back to say hello pretty quickly. So based on this I was half expecting the show to be cancelled, but he’s soldiered on and tonight delivers a professional performance in support of recent album Country Mouse City House.  Peppering the set with songs mostly from his last four albums and Dressed up like Nebraska from the debut album of the same name, ignoring shouts for various songs from the audience he still seems a bit under the weather but does retort with “I love you too” when one over whelmed female fan declares her love for him.

Its been remarked before that Josh is not a man for these times, taking his cue from the depths of 70’s easy listening and country music.  Its still surprising to see such a wide variety of people in attendance, from teenage girls to thirtysomething couples to quite a few of the “older generation”, one chap in his fifties stood next to me even did a bit of “drunk uncle at a wedding” dancing during It’s the Nighttime. A sight worth seeing I can tell you. So Josh Rouse crosses the boundaries of music and age and it truly is a pleasure to see him perform, he’s obviously a man at  the top of his game musically at the moment, if a little poorly health wise. 

words by Richard Phillips

Set List

Hollywood Bass Player
Pilgrim
Dressed Up like Nebraska
London Bridges
My Love has gone
Sweetie
Man in me
It's the Nighttime
Domesticated Lovers
Comeback
Givin it up
Feelin No Pain
Saturday
Slaveship
Directions

Winter in the Hamptons
Love Vibration