As a Camden Crawl virgin I was keen to experience it at least once, and the optimism of what it might hold was strong at first. Having a whole tree shoved at you on the way to collect your wristband seems normal for some reason, people desperate to make money from you at every turn.
This year apparently was the first time they’d done a fringe, so there were some rather entertaining comedians, Jim Cambel being a particular good one I managed to see. Other bits and pieces included a highlight of a Lady Juggling tennis balls in time to rap music, it wasn’t on a stage but it was the most fun thing of the day.
First band on the crammed evening agenda was Lonelady, a female fronted electro pop act. Think La Roux, but with more guitar. The Jazz Café venue was nice as well.
Next up was Stornaway at KOKO, the spelling mistake perhaps highlighting they weren’t quite as well know here as they should be. Opening with Cold Harbour Road, it’s obvious the band have yet again upped their game, the vocals harmonies are much stronger and richer, and there is a distinct security in their playing now which says “we know this is good”.
This is the first time I have seen them play to a perhaps slightly hostile crowd, and as the stunned silence from the quality of their opening track subsided heckles of “play Zorbing” were an irritating distraction for both the audience and I imagine the band throughout the rest of the set. “I saw you blink” and “We are the Battery Humans” were enjoyable, but subtleties in songs like “Fuel Up” were unfortunately lost. By the time security had dragged out a couple of people and things calmed down, Rob was whacking the drums in a way I’ve never seen him do, and I’m sure it wasn’t that fast on the recording either! There is so so much more to this band than Zorbing.
‘Without the darkness where would the light be?’ following band Smoke Faries, said before their delicately written folk songs. But a heavy handed sound mix meant any subtly desired was ruined. Much of the rest of the evening was comparable to a bad day at Alton towers. 30 minutes queuing in the rain and to be honest the thrills of the one or two gems you want to hear were few and far between. No wonder the few people I spoke to said they weren’t going to come again. If it was half the price and you lived in London it would be a good thing to go to, but otherwise I think I’ll give it a miss too next time.
Trev Williams
Trev Williams
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