Steve Mason at The Barbican

If you've seen John Cusack's brilliant adaptation of Nick Hornby's 'High Fidelity', then you'll be familiar with at least one song by the Beta Band. It's from the scene where Cusack's character plays the last part of their track 'Dry the Rain' and everyone in the shop starts jigging along and then asking what it is.

I liked the album that song came from and I even bought another one, but I was never a huge fan of the band. I kind of admired them more than I liked them, I suppose. They were inventive and different but still wrote good songs and catchy tunes. I lost touch with the members of the band when they split up until the Minx played me a few tracks by Steve Mason and then I ended up watching him play with Simon at Bluedot last year. 

I enjoyed the performance at the festival a lot so I was overjoyed when my friend John bought me a ticket for tonight's performance - with brass, strings and backing vocalists - at the Barbican. This afternoon, I took the train to Euston, checked into the Prince Arthur on Eversholt Street - a great discovery by the Minx - and walked down to the Old Red Cow on Long Lane to meet John for a couple of pre-performance beers.

We had timed it perfectly and, after a couple of pints, we made our way to the Barbican, grabbed a glass of wine and made our way to our seats just before Steve Mason came on stage. The show was in two halves and the first half featured his band, the backing singers, brass and strings. I didn't know all the songs but I enjoyed them anyway, which I always think is a good sign.

The second half started with just the strings, brass and Steve, and the sound, which had been a little hollow and boomy in the first half, was loads better. Happily it stayed that way when the band came back onto the stage. I haven't mentioned the fact that there were two drummers! There were, and that was really effective, sometimes playing in unison and sometimes one of them taking on more of a percussionist's role.

The high point, perhaps predictably, was 'Dry the Rain', which sounded amazing. The entire auditorium was stood and singing along, and it was glorious. After that, there was just time for a final drink and then the walk back up to Euston. Thanks, John!

****
-3.6kg Better but... still too slow.