Under the starlit lighting of the CQAF Festival Marquee in Belfast's Custom House Square, a gradually increasing crowd is casually chattering amongst themselves and gently drifting to the mellow melodies of Duke Garwood, Elvis Costello and more. It's a reassuring sign of what's about to happen – if one isn't making new friends, they are discovering new tunes.
Discovery will be the name of the game for Elbow front man Guy Garvey in his not-quite-solo set. The Bury-born singer, songwriter and musician will be accompanied by a drummer, two guitarists and three brass playing ladies – drawn from I Am Kloot and The Whip – when he brings this tent to life. Garvey is, in my view, a uniquely contrary artist, thoroughly deserving of the "alternative" label – songs like Elbow's Lippy Kids have an uncanny ability to transform regretful melancholia into spirit-raising, stress-relieving power via the change of a key. Neither that song nor any of the Elbow catalogue, for that matter, will be heard here, but the essence of Garvey will remain intact in a display of strong musicianship and extreme showmanship that, when it peaks, peaks most impressively.
Local support act Arborist, stripped down tonight to a four piece of keys, guitar, violin and drums, and fronted by the likeable Mark McCambridge, come across as something of a mixed bag. If a little bland lyrically, they are steady and pleasing musically, instantly at ease with sonic shifts amidst their country-folk-indie vibe. Two songs in and warm smiles are visible all over the place. But while they maintain a nice rhythm, with a neat four note piano melody here and a sweet string backing there, the whole set seems rather reserved, safe even. One understands, however, that, being stripped down, there's only so much of an impact they can make at this gig.
What is more important, perhaps, is that Arborist have done their job – they have warmed everyone up for the main man and his backing band. At 9 pm sharp, the lights go down, the stage is cast in blue light, and Garvey arrives on stage, cheerfully raising a pint before explosively wowing us with instantly hypnotic vocals and starry spot effects. The tone then changes entirely when the calypso-esque Angela's Eyes induces dancing, the bongos, a jungle beat, and the wonders of synth. His voice isn't heard as clearly amidst all the commotion, but with a presence as immediately arresting as his, who am I to argue?
The problem is maintaining the jolts and joys of an opening so electric. But if the majority of what remains doesn't quite reach these heights, but it's not for lack of trying. A showman, musician, conductor, storyteller and friend rolled into one, Garvey will give us much to admire and remember. When not joking around with the rest of the band, entertaining us with an amusing recollection of a previous visit to Belfast, or bantering about Glastonbury and nicknames with I Am Kloot's Peter Jobson, he's adjusting his voice and presence accordingly. He may drop an octave one moment, he may let the bassist and drummer own the stage the next. You really can't predict where this set is going to go.
Things arguably reach their joint apex with a comedic piano solo from Jobson, or Clint North-Eastwood as Garvey dubs him. The dry, deep nonchalance in his delivery makes one wish they could hear him for a bit longer. But this is Garvey's show, where a mixture of tones, genres and stories lead to singing and dancing on and off the stage – especially when the audience, in unison, swing and sing to the final refrain of the night.
Simon Fallaha
Guy Garvey performed at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast, on Sunday 01 May.
