WORDS AND IMAGES SAM HOLT
The Tindersticks are an alternative rock band that formed over thirty ago in the East Midlands. They disbanded in the early noughties with vocalist Stuart enjoying a solo career before reforming in the last few years. The band currently comprises of Stuart Staples on vocals, David Boulter on keys, Neil Fraser on guitar, Dan McKinna on bass and Earl Harvin on drums forming the rhythm section. While the band have released fourteen albums over the years. Their sound it’s indie if I had to categorise, with soulful and jazz overtones.
They performed at the Beacon in Bristol tonight as part of their massive European tour to promote the album “Soft Tissue”, which was released just a few weeks ago. It appears that they have had more success in Europe than they have here; here, they look to have a large fanbase but not enjoyed the same level of popular success.
The evening is divided into two halves, with two fairly different sets. The first saw the band sat down playing the set, with the exception of Dan, who stood at his keyboards. The setting is fairly simple, with only a dark curtain backdrop, but this is a band that does not rely on elaborate stage sets. It’s really tranquil as the lights dim and the spotlights shine down, David’s ‘keys’ riff is brilliantly played, and Stuart’s vocal style sounds like spoken lyrics, he’s clearly lost in the music. I particularly enjoyed “The Bough Bends“, you could easily hear each instrument and how it fits into the increasing layers as it progresses, but I wasn’t anticipating the distorted guitar, and the song concludes with a clip of bird song that perfectly complements it.
As the lights lowered for the second performance, Dan emerged from behind the piano to play bass. It was a longer set featuring many songs from the new album, some from “No Treasure But Hope”, which was released in 2019, and some older classics. Starting with” How He Entered”. We knew we were in for a treat. By the time they played “Nancy,” a pattern had emerged: no introductions, song, gentle applause, but it was evident the audience was captivated. It wasn’t a sellout, but it was very well attended, and it was clear that people in attendance were huge fans of their music. I couldn’t help but be drawn to their latest work when they sang “Always A Stranger,” which for me was the highlight song. I enjoyed the keyboard riff pattern, the guitar gently strummed, it all provided a lot of depth, and with Dan adding backing vocals, it just stuck out to me. The Bristol crowd clearly felt the same way. Before long we were at the final song of the set “Turn My Back” Stuart spoke so positively about the refurbished venue and how he felt the acoustics had been improved
After a brief interval, the band returned with a short encore of three songs, including the calm and peaceful “Stars At Noon,” but of those three, I couldn’t help but be lured in by “Pinky And The Daylight,”. Dan moved to the piano and played a haunting prelude to “For The Beauty” for the final song
It had been a beautiful evening of getting back to basics and letting the music speak. They are a band that has achieved, dare I say, cult status in this country and appears to have a large following. They held the audience fascinated. It was a night where I was transported away with gorgeous, captivating noises that were masterfully organised and composed.
Set list:
First set
1/ Waiting for the moon
2/ Both sides of the blade
3/ Willow
4/ Memories of Love
5/ The Bough Bends
Second Set
6/ How he entered
7/ Nights so still
8/ Trees fall
9/ Falling the light
10/ Nancy
11/ Second chance man
12/ Lady with the braid
13/ The secret of breathing
14/ Always a stranger
15/ New world
16/ Don’t walk, run
17/ Slippin’ shoes
18/ Turned my back
Encore
19/ Stars at noon
20/ Pinky in the daylight
21/ For the beauty
FOLLOW THE TINDERSTICKS
Returning to gigs and live music after a short break, and love being able to combine that with photography. For me I’m happy to make a road trip out for the right band/artist. I enjoy all genre’s of music, but a huge Gary Numan, Rival Sons and more recently Dirty Honey fan, but I’m always up for checking out all new music, and its just as important to catch support acts, during a gig, as one day they could be headliners themselves.