Artists
Performing: June 29, 2009
Regina Spektor.
Serpentine Sessions first series of shows in Hyde Park kicked off with a stunning set by the vocal gymnastics of Regina Spektor. It was satisfying to see so many people arriving early, filling the Serpentine garden before the first act had begun. Everyone was either taking full advantage of the table service or nestled on their blankets picnicking, all of whom sharing jugs of that summertime drink, Pimms (what else are you supposed to drink on a day like this?).
Recent Epic signing Scott McFarnon opened proceedings on the bandstand. Flitting between melancholic guitar strumming with tales of lovelorn to plucked riffs in a Hip Hop style. Scott recently wrote the Top 5 hit single ‘Red’ for Daniel Merriweather which he aired in his own delicate way.
The captivating voice of Laura Groves was next to dazzle, and sure as it was sunny, Blue Roses didn’t disappoint. With female accompaniment on violin and xylophone, her voice was reminiscent of Joanna Newsom at her eeriest, or The Sundays Harriet Wheeler without the 90s jangly dream pop. Closing track ‘Rebecca’ came as close to rocking out as you’d get from a melodramatic folk performance, set to a desolate alt-rock guitar and pounding bass synth.
Then for something a little… different. West Coast nu-soul balladeer Reggie Watts stepped up to the Main Stage but it was his hair that greeted us first, a gravity defying bouncy afro waving hello. But there’s a lot more to him than that… alternating between rich baritone and soaring falsetto, his silky hybrid of old school R&B could sit comfortably between Curtis Mayfield and Al Green but when mixed up with unobtrusive left-field electronic music comes on like New Order shaking hands with Prince.
By now the deck chairs were out around the Serpentine gardens, and Jonathan Jeremiah's Motown vibe is well suited to the upbeat mood Reggie Watts has left everyone in. It’s only a few songs in and Jeremiah breaks into a cover, not an obvious choice, but the brooding rolling bassline of Massive Attack’s ‘Protection’ sounds like an entirely different song due to his unique blues and soul. You can hear the sound of his influences echo in his music where artists like James Taylor, Scott Walker and Nick Drake are given a modern touch. Topped off by The Spencer Davis Group ‘Keep On Running’ in celebration of Island’s 50th.
And then for the main event. It is rare to see so many new songs well received, but Regina Spektor was embraced by the audience from the off. The anti-folk heroine headlined the Monday night at the Serpentine Sessions and blew the top off of the big top tent by the sheer power of her voice. Sat behind the piano in her floral dress she played the majority of stunning new album, Far, joined only by drums, cellist and violinist.
You could tell she loved every minute, cracking wry smiles at various intervals and even laughing halfway through her kookier songs, gaining rises out of audience with her bonkers worldviews. ‘On The Radio’ received a huge response, as did the heartfelt encore of ‘Samson’ which was performed solo at the piano. She showed she is capable of not only entertaining the crowd with wit but also from the heart.
Performing: June 30, 2009
Bon Iver.
D:Ream once said, Things Can Only Get Better and he was right… More sun, more bands and more cider were the order of the day for Tuesday night in the land of Serpentine…
The Villagers, who usually perform as a 4-piece band, were reduced to the sole talents of Conor J. O’Brien, the founder, lyricist and singer – his Lennonesque vocal style soaked in Nick Drake guitar arrangements revealing folk-centered soul songs surrounded by epic pop arrangements. Last track Home showed what a talent he really is, with one foot in the past always looking forward.
Passing the kitsch baton on from Monday night, Beth Jeans Houghton was donning a tram conductors hat fashioned with her initials and a one-piece leather circus tailored outfit and hot pants, evocative of pre-11:11 era Regina Spektor. Vocally she takes on a different persona, more Nico and Laura Marling while the music sways between oompa brass band to banjo driven pop all with killer tunes.
Kicking off in the big top was Canada’s Alela Diane, her silky voice washed over us like an ocean wave breaking at your feet. Her voiced soared majestically all done rather breezily and driven by the kind of off-kilter melodies you’d expect from someone like Wilco.
Back to the bandstand and the It Hugs Back trio are playing their fuzzy lo-fi set to a very chilled sun soaked audience. The breathy sighed vocals and twinkling jazz guitar of Yo La Tengo being punched through by a venomous beat and thumping bassline. They end with R&B classic ‘Farmer John’ written by Don & Dewey, a well-travelled standard once performed by Neil Young.
And then for the ghostly Americana of everyone’s favourite word-of-mouth sensation, Bon Iver. For those who don’t think his music can translate from the wood cabin high in the darkest forests of Northern America to central London, you are wrong. His hauntingly eerie set found a home amongst an adorning crowd in a tent in Hyde Park, we could have been transported up with the ferns for all we knew. A beautiful rendition of Dark Was The Night non-album track Brackett WI didn't sound out of place nestled alongside favourites Skinny Love and Flume.
The more upbeat tracks were littered amongst the set, the band only stopping occasionally to thank the audience for supporting them on their journey, “We all come from somewhere” Justin Vernon cooed, “whether it be the back seat of a car or a the inside of a cinema”, before breaking into ‘Babies’.
Highlight of the set would have to be the an inspirational rendition of The Wolves (Act I and II), gently gathering pace before the entire crowd began chanting “what might have been lost” gradually swelling in volume, reaching a heady crescendo from the band and cheers from the audience.
Returning to the stage for the encore, all four band members came centre stage and crouched around one microphone leaving the guitarist to take lead on the vocal to The Jayhawks Tampa to Tulsa, the remainder of the band joining in three part harmonies for the chorus, before ending the night with Lump Sum.
He may not be back in London for quite some time, but he won’t be forgotten in a rush either.
Performing: July 1, 2009
Tindersticks
The unsigned Bobby Long follows along similar lines of heritage as Van Morrison, Rufus Wainwright and Jeff Buckley before him. Buckley associations aside, the lad has a gravelly whiskey soasked husk of a voice that Tom Waits would be proud of, not to mention some serious Dylan-esque harp (harmonica) playing. The beautifully plucked Americana folk of Sweet Mary Jane set to a blues rhythm showcased his true talent, and what with him already being beckoned by Hollywood after having a track featured on teenage vampire flick Twilight, I’m sure it won’t take long…
Here comes our first Jacko cover of the week (and turned out to be the last), from David Kitt with Blame It On The Boogie. Halfway through his set, which was peppered with tracks from his beautiful back catalogue, including Song For Hope Street, Dancing In The Moonlight and No Truth In Your Eyes. Always managing to find a balance between ambience and emotion and full of beautifully jaded jaunts blanketed with pleasant beats that occasionally and unexpectedly go off and on.
Big Star - if only they were playing outdoors their sun drenched Californian vibes would be lapped up even more. The guitars jangled with all the authenticity you'd expect from a power-pop band and Auer and Chilton's solos were impressive and recalled some licks forgotten by most musicians these days. Lead vocal duties were returned to him for the next two songs and him and the rest of the band continued to impress me throughout Kinks cover Til The End Of The Day and fan-favourite The Ballad of El Goodo.
September Gurls got the biggest cheer of the night, with the audience clapping with appreciation within the first few notes.
Having totally won over any people who hadn't known who they were by this point, when Chilton announced that it was time for Big Star's last song, there was a genuine moan of disappointment from the crowd, who had been having a great time.
The return after a lengthy sabbatical of the Stuart Staples-fronted Tindersticks, now with a rejigged and stripped down line-up delivering their lushly orchestrated, noir-ish and lugubrious ballads, that balance on a knife-edge of dark humour and brooding romanticism.
The band know that this is essential for the hardcore fanbase and respond to this with a devotee-friendly setlist, compromising of at least one track from each of their seven records.
For the encore, Staples dedicates a brilliant Before You Close Your Eyes to an old friend who died 10 years previously who "loved to dance". It's a touching moment, and one clearly close to the bands heart given the rarity of the song's airings in the live arena. Arguably the band's most well-known single, Tiny Tears, ends proceedings and Staples is clearly taken aback with the crowd's enthusiasm, ensuring them that they will be back very soon. It's a perfect ending to a unique evening and one that will surely rank among the band's best to the faithful following here.
Big Star
Big Star, fronted by the highly acclaimed singer/songwriter Alex Chilton formed in the 1970s and reunited in 1993 later releasing a new album in 2005. Proving what an influential band Big Star became, many artists and bands including The Replacements, Yo La Tengo, Okkervil River and the highly acclaimed Elliott Smith all covered songs by the foursome.
Their appearance at Serpentine Sessions will be their first UK show since they performed in 2008. This will be a once in a lifetime occasion to see the band perform in London.
David Kitt
Up and coming Irish singer/songwriter whose intensely intimate and melancholy songs are creating a storm on both sides of the Irish Sea. Imagine a sound between Roy Harper and Tricky! A must-see.
Bobby Long
Bobby is currently working on an EP and co-wrote a song with Marcus Foster that was used on the Twilight Soundtrack. His music is like drops of rain on a bull fighters back like punches breaking through a Windy Gail.