Nothing and Everything

I'm having a moderately ambitious week. In the dying ambers of 2017 this week I'm seeing three gigs! 

First up last night was Mull Historical Society and Mark Eitzel at Clwb Ifor. I'm pretty sure I've seen aka Colin Macayntre before, can't remember where, but he was performing solo style with just a guitar and his daughters Tablet. He was fun and engaing. 

I'll make every effort to see Mark Eitzel when he's in town. He manages to be slightly chippy and shy at the same time, and has an incredible soaring voice. I leaned across to Sian at one point and whispered: "Shouldn't we be in a smokey New York bar?" as that's the atmosphere he generates. He reminds me of John Grant and Rufus Wainwright as all three have a Torch song quality to their music. Eitzel sang four songs before he spoke to the crowd. He was pretty acerbic on topics from the current political situation in the States to Cardiff's homeless problem, which is getting very bad. He does it in such a charming way it's hard not to be, well, charmed. 

The lion's share of his set came from his excellent current album 'Hey, Mr Ferrymen', I don't think there were any 'American Music Club' (his former band) songs, but I don't know them that well. As per usual midway through the set I needed to visit the bathroom. Sian told me after that when I went in the door slammed behind me and Mark Eitzel.

"Boy that guy really needs to piss...in my mouth!" Upon reflection...

It was a short set at an hour, (which on a school night is no bad thing) with two songs as an encore after a bit of back and fore with the band. Great gig, next one up are post punk legends Wire on Wednesday night...