LIVE REVIEW: Babybird @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
23/02/2022
BabyBird Tours the UK to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their ‘Ugly Beautiful’ album, Supported by Ian Prowse.
I was a little out of my depth attending this gig, not because I didn’t like it, quite the opposite, I quite enjoyed it, in fact it was a nice change of pace from the previous gigs I attended, as it was quite relaxed.
By out of my depth, I mean, amongst a more mature audience, I was the youngest attendee.
I can’t say I have of heard any of the artists playing before this opportunity and I found myself intrigued and, although, not entirely my cup of tea, I found myself swaying and nodding along anyway.
Ian Prowse was first up on stage, the audience was sparse as they slowly filtered into the venue with drink in hand but he had a strong and faithful fanbase up at the front singing along with him. I couldn’t quite gauge what to think of Prowse’s set due to also working photography but I enjoyed his jolly presence and wholesome stories behind each song.
Every song strummed on his trusty tinny acoustic guitar along with his lofty silvery voice painted a tuneful narrative.
A Notable song “Does this train stop on Merseyside” which is quite an interesting and almost romantic perspective of Liverpool.
My favourite had to be “My name is Dessie Warren” a catchy country pub ballad about a prison inmate fighting for his integrity to keep his name.
I believe that Ian Prowse has quite the talent for catchy choruses and winning over the audience with his authentic and humble approach.
Through the interval, I noticed very quickly that the crowd grew and migrated towards the front. The background music faded and the lights dimmed.
The crowd woo’ed and cheered as the band members slowly took to the stage and introduced each instruments.
Starting with a fat rounded repetitive bass line and then queued the drums with a steady beat accompanied by guitar and finally Bowie-esque tinted vocals kick start the headlining set with Babybird.
Again, Babybird isn’t personally my cup of tea but I do appreciate the artistry and performance. I did find myself reacting to songs quite emotionally, especially ‘Failed Suicide Club’ and ‘Unloveable’, but what was most admirable was the interaction between vocalist Stephen Jones and an audience member of which was heartwarming on such deep-seated issues.
The set soon changed to livelier tunes, jokes and banter all around, continuing with ‘All men are Evil’ that kicked up a musical storm with dingy bass and guitar effects and clashing cymbals and driving vocals. This one surely got the audience moving.
And finally the song everyone had all been waiting for, Top of the Pops Hit track; ‘You’re Gorgeous’. Truth be told this was the only song I knew, and I vaguely remember it only because my parents would listen and sing it to me, but it was nice to be wrapped in childhood nostalgia in listening and observing the performance. To put a fresh perspective on this show, it was a rather fun yet relaxed classic Indie rock (with a splash of Brit- pop) show, I would personally describe it as Dad-Rock due to the nature of both mature band and audience but I found that the performance over all shines through audience interaction and engagement.
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