After a storming set earlier in the evening with Bleachers it’s a dash across London to catch support for the evening Gerry Love. The transport gods were smiling as I made my way from West London across to North East London in an hour with some time to spare.
What a joy to see Gerry and his band play a fifty five minute set of new songs plus some old Teenage Fanclub classics that you don’t hear any more since he left the band. Of course it’s not the same without the layered harmonies of the Fannies but just to hear the likes of ‘Aint that enough’, ‘Don’t look back’ and ‘Sparky’s Dream’ again was worth it.
Next up is the main act of The Hanging Stars with their psych tinged country rock. And that’s exactly what we got, seventy five minutes of the finest musicians completely in sync with one another playing foot stomping bangers.
The have really developed their sound over the course of the four albums and this show is in support of their latest ‘On a Golden Shore’ which if you are a lover of the aforementioned Fanclub (and I assume explaining Gerry’s appearance tonight) mixed with seventies laurel Canyon psych then this is the album for you.
The four part harmonies are outstanding and the music just has that groove that’s once you’re in you can’t escape until the next one comes along. None of this is exemplified more with the opening encore track that’s runs into a full ten minute jam.
Front and centre is lead vocalist and guitarist Richard Olson who struts around the stage playing his instrument utilising the full range of poses of every self-respecting axe man. The rest of the band content themselves engrossed in their exquisite playing with the occasional nod, smile and knowing look at each other and hopefully they are enjoying the show as much as we are.
The show ends with Gerry joining the band on stage to provide vocals to complete a great way to end an epic evening. Catch up if you can and I know many that were here tonight will be meeting again later in the year for their biggest headline show at the Jazz Café.
Keep on psychedelic country folk rockin’ y’all