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It all began when Harcourt delivered a throwaway on-stage story about a myspace message from a fan who was getting his face tattooed on his back, and how he was concerned about which image the tattoo artist would use. A few drinks later it seemed like a great idea to recreate this moment in pop-devotion history and suddenly Ed was scribbling around my shoulders.
Perhaps it was because it was a Sunday evening, perhaps because it had been raining from late afternoon, but Fibbers was never more than half-full over the whole evening. This was a shame because openers The Veils, fresh from an American headlining tour, ran through an energetic set, with an electrifying performance from lead singer Finn Andrews. Their critically-acclaimed latest album, Nux Vomica, proved a rich source of material, and, by the sales of the cd at the merchandise stall, created a few new fans amongst the audience.
A handful more people arrived in time for Ed Harcourt and his three-piece touring band, who opened with a wall of sound that gradually settled into 'The Storm Is Coming' from 2004's Strangers. Harcourt was rapturously received by the mostly middle-aged crowd, as you would expect from fans that have followed him over his seven-year career. This adulation meant that he hit his stride quickly, introducing a double bass for latest single 'You Put A Spell On Me', and a programmed drum beat for 'Apple of My Eye' that helped the song to reach an ecstatic climax.
'I've Become Misguided', released as the b-side to 2001's 'She Fell Into My Arms', was built from the ground up by Harcourt using an auto loop, starting with a picked banjo then a single parp from a trombone, tambourine and hypnotic vocals. By the time Harcourt picked up his guitar the rest of the band have came in and the song had taken on a different, more broodingly aggressive note. The majesty of this song showed the real strengths of Harcourt's live Loneliness' it is wonderfully intimate, and when the whole band really kick in, as they do at the end of 'I've Become Misguided' it is exhilarating.
For Harcourt's dedicated fanbase it would have been a crime to miss out any of the songs he chose to play, but for a new convert the hour-and-three-quarters set dragged a little in the middle. This was helped by the singer's easy attitude and anecdotes such as the aforementioned tattoo quip.
Harcourt mentioned that he will be taking a year off from touring and recording after the last date of this jaunt, taking a well-deserved rest after seven years solid work. Lets hope he returns with a material as powerful as the most magical moments of his best of. Meanwhile I need to find a way to get marker pen off skin...
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