Graft

To think that it was only - what? - five years ago that I saw Public Service Broadcasting at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth. They were almost a novelty band then, just the one album under their belts, a drummer, a guitarist/keyboard player, and a load of sequenced stuff and samples. 

Then they released the truly magnificent album 'The Race For Space' and I felt that really was a work of art. We saw them loads of times touring that album, every time a joy, and thoroughly enjoyed the follow up, 'Every Valley'. Recently, they have released an e.p. based on the Titanic, pressing all my buttons (in a good way). 

This evening, we saw them at the Royal Albert Hall, which seemed both unbelievable and yet totally justified. It was a great gig; the sound was amazing, the setlist was great, and the huge room seemed to be full of joy. 

There were so many highlights but here are a few of them: the 'walk on' music was, appropriately, Bowie's 'Sound And Vision' (41 years old and sound awesome over the huge PA); the full 'Brassy Gentlemen' brass section; Tracyanne Campbell appearing to sing 'Progress'; the Spacemen, dancing; and the male voice choir at the end. 

I have to say that these guys have really put the legwork in; they're grafters. For all for all of the creative magic of their albums, they have toured relentlessly in an old school style. And that's what you need, I think, to be successful.

I think I might have been a little dismayed to be sat so far away from the action but hopefully we'll be much closer, next week. 

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Reading: ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ by Robert Galbraith