How best to describe this band tonight under the moniker of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. Its cosmic folk rock pop psychedelia, but above all its great songs performed by great musicians with the band and audience at one having a great time.
Led by the enigmatic Joziah Longo, whose voice has a hint of Neil Diamond, the first of the two sets tonight is the usual disjointed mesh of rambling witty anecdotes, songs both original and covers and we wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s nods to both Dylan and Bowie with a great cover of ‘Gates of Eden’ by the former.
A short break to allow the band to sign autographs and chat at the merch table and then it’s back for a tight 45 minute focused set of top quality tunes. Props to Sharkey the guitarist and especially his slide mandolin which is amazing. It’s all over in a blink of an eye but not before the set closer singalong the ‘The Trans-Slambovian Bipolar Express’.
Their albums don’t do them justice as its live where they excel. A thoroughly good night enjoyed in equal measure by the band the audience. I for one will be boarding the bipolar express the next time its pulls into London.