Live Review

Angus and Julia Stone – Nottingham Rescue Rooms

• 16th Apr 2008

The brother sister duo and their entourage arrive on stage surrounded by lampshades and propped up images from their debut album ‘A Book Like This’. If this is an attempt to lull you somewhat into their weird and wonderful world of fairytales and enchantment it’s not needed, as the songs do this alone.

The gig was warmly received and rightly so. On record the duo posses an infectious song writing ability that is almost impossible to resist, when performed live though they really come into their own. The duo are evidently natural performers with an array of talent, which they put to use on a variety of instruments. Songs like ‘Mango Tree’, arguably the highlight of the evening where Angus whispers the words “from her lips I heard her say, can I have you? caught up on what to say, I said you do” sound truly heartfelt and delicate beyond belief. Album opener and recent single ‘The Beast’ is a jingly sing-a-long number, a real pop laden gem that receives a righteous applause and gets the audience in the mood. New songs are also debuted, one that was finished as soon as yesterday reveals further progression. There’s a refreshing sense of urgency to the way they squeeze as many songs into their encore as possible, quite obviously eager to showcase as much of their new material as possible. The fact that they are taking risks by performing new material when their debut album has barely seen the light of day reveals a marvelous prolific side to their songwriting capabilities.

In essence what is so wonderful about the act is the way two very contrasting vocal styles work in harmony to compliment each other. While Julia is delicate and forlorn gracing the stage like a young Joan Baez, Angus is raspy, ridiculously cool and his songs often plug the upbeat trump. Importantly though, both radiate charisma and when backed up by their fine folky compositions and note perfect rhythm section a wonderful spectacle is born.

How long their innocence and independent values (spurred on by the fact that as Angus points out they have “their bus driver on drums”) will resist the pressures of the mainstream is another matter. For now though, they are a joy to behold.