Gig Review : Malcolm Middleton

Brief review of the Cyprus Avenue show from last night (31st January).

Billed as Malcolm Middleton’s Long Dark Night it was anything but as the former Arab Strap guitarist sailed through tracks from his own steadily building solo catalogue.

Cyprus Avenue was half full but this can be typical for a January show with the consequences of decadent Christmas spending still taking its toll on most. However it did set a more relaxed tone to the evening with the majority of the crowd seated and the 80 minute set, full of requests I might add, benefited as a result.

Stripped down to just his voice and acoustic guitar (possibly for budgetary reasons) the Falkirk singer showed no sign of weakness in his songwriting* with every number well capable of holding its own.

Known for his blunt, if not sometimes, brutally honest (and often self-deprecating

From the Into The Woods’ Devastation
“And how can you like me
With this head and these arms.
How can this shallow freak be accused of having charm”)

lyrics his surprisingly delicate touch on the acoustic emphasized the hard-hitting words extremely well. The longer he played the more comfortable he got speaking to the crowd (a well-handled heckler probably the cause of his reluctance earlier in the set) introducing Autumn as a song that upset quite a few people when he played Cambridge recently. Check out the second line here.

Other highlights included Red Travellin’ Socks (from his latest album Waxing Gibbous), Choir, Blue Plastic Bags, We’re All Going To Die and A Brighter Beat.

Unfortunately for us Malcolm is now taking a much deserved break from touring/recording but has said he will be back with a new album, he just does not know when.

Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/malcolmmiddleton

Official Website : http://www.malcolmmiddleton.co.uk

*Contrary to what some of the mans own lyrics would like to lead us to believe