Music / Oysterband
Review: Oysterband, St George’s
This year has been a busy one for anniversaries and Oysterband haven’t missed the boat. The band are celebrating forty years of existence in the beautiful setting of St George’s tonight. The consequent crowd are hastily finding their seats, most of them carrying the newly-purchased Holy Bandits vinyl. The set promises a first part covering the Holy Bandits album and a second part featuring other old-time favourites.
The evening starts with a bang with When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down), the opening number of their secular album. On The Road to Santiago, some exotic sounds mixed to Celtic melodies showcase the band’s agility to gently move from one sound to the other. Lead singer John Jones and co have warmed the audience up and on Here’s To You, the atmosphere is at its height. The crowd get up and move to the back of the room to dance. In this first part, full of “sad words on cheerful melodies” to quote fiddler Ian Teffler, Rambling Irishman stands out as particularly moving with a gripping introduction. The famous feet-stomping Blood Wedding finishes the first part of the set, without any mosh pit kind of trouble.
After a brief interval, the Oysterband return for a less rigorous second part, composed of a selection of other favourites. John Jones’ voice shines with a beautifully deep tessitura on By Northern Light. The eagerly awaited Oxford Girl follows, a song written by the band from a female perspective on traditional folk songs. They present their more politically-engaged side with the anti-globalisation song Here Comes the Flood and the new song My Country Too, the band’s response to Theresa May’s snap election announcement earlier this year. To end on a high note (the highest note actually) John Jones asks to turn off the lights and unplug the instruments, to make the most of the sound quality of the church. They perform a stunning acoustic version of Put Out The Lights, with the audience serving as a ceremonial choir: a truly magical moment.
is needed now More than ever
After forty years of being at the cutting edge of folk music, Oysterband performs a passionate show, with the same musical chops and energy as before. They are not afraid to confront social issues and they have proved tonight, with their genuine commitment, that their flame is still very much alive.
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