Virtuoso – A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. The last time Gaz Coombes played local-ish it clashed with a birthday so I couldn’t attend. This didn’t clash, the venue was perfect, Papillon in Southampton, the stars had aligned.
Ralfe band, all one man of it opened proceedings, he was a breath of fresh air! Look up authentic in the dictionary you’ll see his face. I had listened previously and will be listening more.
Quickly afterwards Gaz Coombes took to the stage, there were a few dialogues but mostly he let the music do the talking. He said a few of the songs were going to be performed slightly differently but all I can say is it was exceptional. Start to finish he was simply brilliant, from piano to semi-acoustic, to electric guitar and back it was pleasure to behold, as good as ever if not better.
Turn the Car Around was one of my favourite albums of 2023, the chance to see it live was a true milestone that as I said I had been looking forward to since I was probably the first to buy a ticket, sat there at 9am on release hitting refresh to ensure my chance. I’d seen Supergrass back in the 1990s and backing The Foo Fighters twice at both Wembley Stadium and Milton Keynes. This was a bucket list moment! Im a huge fan! This musically did not disappoint!
Songs from the night included (I think this is an accurate setlist).
- Wounded Egos
- This Love
- Sonny the Strong
- Turn the Car Around
- Deep Pockets
- Salamander
- The Oaks
- The Girl who Fell to Earth
- White Noise
- Feel Loop
- Detroit
- Long Live the Strange
- Matador
- Walk the Walk
I couldn’t have asked for more, he played Sonny the Strong which is a favourite along with Salamander and Long Live the Strange. They have always been stand outs for me but all were dispatched with a big smile and I’ll use the word ‘Panache’. Papillon was a great choice of venue, the old church has great sound.
I queued up to meet him, waited patiently, I bought the one vinyl I do not own, ‘Matador’, I even took a photo for the couple before me and gave them space. As I start talking to him an older couple behind barged forward, distracted him as they had bought an EP for a signature, she didn’t know how to open a record sleeve?? She shoved in and ruined the moment I had to have a chat, he did sign my album but only after he signed their EP, I literally had to butt in and say excuse me can you sign this! They were rude as f**k, he entertained it, but didn’t really have a choice.
